Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-09-17

morning glorles.
Mr.. Loring's manner changed to one
of grave anxiety. you heard what /
said, Miss SUSSEX
II heard" snapped Miss Susie.
when change my mind I'll not send
Swanson. III come right over myself
and tell you"
az amt lookin' for no miracles in
these days." retorted Mr.. LOring good
naturally. Then his voice became Sc
rious. 81 hope you're keepin' watch
on the river, Miss Susie. Last year
your brother pretty near got floated
off, and it wasn't anything to what 1t
is now. It's rained for nearly a week
I'D in Harpers, and if that bridge goes
well, your house and crop III go too"
"I'm not afraid SO long as we don't
! get any rain here" returned Miss Su-
j sic comfortably
You better make that lazy Swede
keep an eye on the river, and If II
rises any more III come over and help
you. Well, / must be movin' along!
Afternoon, Miss Susie"
Afternoon" returned the lady be-
| hind the morning glories.
| Miss Susie strained her eyes for a
backward wave of Pete LOring's hand
when he reached the corner of the last
field, but his head was turned toward
the river, whose yellow current was
gradually rising to the level Of the
steep banks. Once or twice he glanced
back at the low browed house lying so
near the bank and felt some degree
| Of relief in the recollection that his
own comfortable dwelling was perched
on knoll above highest water mark
| and must necessarily be a place Of
refuge for his less fortunate neighbors.
Six months previous Miss Susie had
come from her eastern home to live
with her widowed brother, but scarce
ly three months had passed before he
had succumbed to an attack of heart
disease anC thus had left Miss Susie
mistress of the hundred acre farm and
the we'll meaning but sluggish Swan
son and his capable wife, Selma
Comely, dark eyed Miss Susan had not
lacked for advice and vigorous assist
ance in managing the farm. for she
found kindly neighbors all about her,
and Pete Loring had been her chief
adviser in caring for the crops that
had been planted by the energetic
brother, but Pete had spoiled all things
by desiring Miss Susie to change her
quarters and become the mistress Of
the Loring home. and his quiet per-
sistence had veXed the usually ami
able little woman to the point Of an
tagonism.
"He might know couldn't make up
my mind ali Cf sudden after being
single for forty-five years." she MUIR
INJURED as she watched him ride out Of
sight. She thought Of the miles Of
whispering grain fields that divided
her farm from Pete Loring's place.
and her face grew somewhat anxious
In the northern counties rain had
fallen abundantly, but in Painted Rock
the crops were slowly crisping in the
merciless heat. and now this swelling
tributary Of the Missouri, fed by the
copious rains at its source, threatened
complete humiliation Of the harvest.
With little sigh and sense OF
guilt Miss Susie responded to Selma's
call to dinner. AS she ate Of tie
toothSome viands and tasted the de-
licious berry pie she thought Of the
hungry little Lerings' dining on mush
and milk. They were lovable chill
dren. helpful. obedicnt little things,
and it was too bad that they were
motherless; there was only the busy,
kindly father and the drinking, igno-
rant old Indian woman, Mahona, to
care for them.
"Take one of these pies and pail
full of the dinner over to Mr.. Loring's,
Swanson" she said, going around to
the kitchen door after dinner. and 1t
was with some relief that she watch
ed the slouching figure of the Swede
riding down the road, large basket
swinging from one hand.
1t was long after midnight when
Miss Susie awoke to the drip Of rain
on the roof and the soft rush Of wa.
ter outside her window. There was
sickenin2 motion to her bed, and
she was conscious that the furniture
in the room was creaking and stirring
ominously.
She called Swanson desperately. |
There was no response but she
thought she heard faint cry from |
outside 1t came from above.
'The rooew she said dazedly. "He
is up there, Why, the house is afoat"
The floor slanted perilously as she
slipped to the edge Of the bed and
tried to stand upon her feet. Some
how she managed to strike match
and light n candle by her side. The
room was In the utmost disorder. ThC
lighter furniture had gravitated to the
outer wall and the heavy pieces rock
ed to and fro dizzily with every motion
of the rocking house. Ornaments and
bits Of china strewed the floor, and
her clothes were huddled among them.
She dressed herself hurriedly, choos.
ing the warmest wraps she could find.
She half walked, half slid to the win