Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-05-05
An organized
Epidemic
By MARTHA MecULLocH-wILLIAMs
Copyright 1903 BY Associated Literary
Press)

MinerTa's name was one of Fatei
subtlest ironies-the girl was so far
SO very far. from WISE Indeed, shs
knew no more than to be sweet ant
bidable to grabbed task-mfstresses
They were the Grimley sisters who
had taken her, as they said daily, out
of charity, and to whom she served
for hands, feet and eyes. She was
rated sharply If she talked back,
which was seldom. since she had rath-
er talent for silence than for speech.
The sisters we're not consciously IN
hnd-it was just that they had fallen
into the way of fretting at everything.
Life had defrauded them of the nat
ural outlets-husbands and children.
Therefore, they made the most of such
small worries as remained to maiden
gentlewomen.
Minerva came to them when she
was ten. For the next eight years
her appetite and her trick of breaking
things, especially those she was han
ding with utmost care, had served as
vital grievances. But since she was
full grown she ate much less, and
hardly ever let fall anything, no mat.
ter how fragile or precious; hence,
the Miss Grimleys had had to invent
a new sin for her They had chosen
to find 1t in her possible future hus-
band. According to their notion, she
was always intent upon matrimony,
and scheming to ansnare whatever
masculine person chance threw in her
way
The young circuit rider, for exam
pie; Jim Mace, the constable, who
rode by the big gate every day; the
two Leonards, who farmed the lower
place; even the young fellow clerking
over at the crossroads-hadn't he ac-
tually tried to get board at the Grim
ley mansion? DR. Bell, the one per-
son who dared speak up to the sis
ters, rated them soundly for such sus-
picions. No wonder, he said, poor
Minerva, as shy and modest as any
white rose, was awkward, almost rude, |
indeed. to all the young fellows she
encountered, and therefore likely to
die an old maid.
Miss Jane and Miss Abby nodded
approval there. Minerva was to have
everything when they were gone-it
would be quite enough to keep her
like lady. Husbands were but wor.
ries most of the time. AS for children
they shook their heads and sighed.
Clearly, in their judgment, a woman
was lucky to escape such things. Look
at Minerva herselfl Where would
she be now II the Grimley's had not
chosen that better part?
DR.. Bell, who had a tongue as rough
and heart as warm as his great coat,
growled at them. After a while, be-
ing a strategist, he did something else
which, at first blush,
made him laugh a great shouting
laugh. When his wife asked the
of it. he said systematically:
"Oh, I'm going to cure some chronic
cases by provoking an epidemic"
And that was all she could get out
Of him, no matter how hard she tried.
She could not try very hard, since,
ike the rest of the neighborhood, she
was giving all her mind to the coming
session of the synod
1t was to be a great occasion, min
sters, their wives, sons and daugh-
ers. we're coming by the score. Their
number would not be too great. how.
,ver, for the eountryside's hospitality.
With no provocation whatever from
he church. DR.. Bell fixed it so the
would have rather more
han q double share of the clerical in.
lux: Namely, Deacon Brown and his
wife; DR.. Henshaw, a pulpit Samson,
ust beginning to look about him over
he edges of weeds not yet rusty: ,
Prof. Balderson, famed for persuad-
ng money into college channels: and ;
,oung Lee. not yet come to fun or. :
ination How the doctor managed ,
II this is not known. He was almost
when it came to carry.
ne out a plan. At least two other ,
households we're full of bitter jealousy
Iyer the parceling out Of guests, but J
he guests did not suspect it-least Of :
n those fated to sit at meat with the !
irlmleys.
Miss Jane was a famous cook. Miss
.bby was past mistress at preserving.
finerva made cake that was simly [
eavenly, and black Susan was a mira c
lie of efficient strength in the kitchen. c
10 the visitors rejoiced that their lines v
ad fallen as they had. Indeed, all r
trough synod week they could not r
az enough in praise and gratitude to c
heir hostesses. As consequence. e
llss Jane and Miss Abby forgot eth. Il
r to scold or to suspect Carried $
way by the tide Of hospitable i'm. n
ulse. they showed for what they were 7
excellent gentlewomen, Of the first e
ank q
As for Minerva, she fairly bloss. a
med. Even the most callous onlook. e
r saw in her a new creature. She a
-as so radiant, indeed, that. before s
hree DAYS we're out. Prof BaIderson. c
seasoned bachelor, made up his o
lind 10 marry her-if he could. He
hanged his mind after good Sister
.rown had let fall words Of wisdom. q,