The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-07-03
THE VEN1N STORY
Copyright. 1913, by ". werner.)
4. NJ

Copyright. 1913. by ". werner.)
ATamin;a vas pat,ering back and
forth fastening 10 get dinner upon
the table before silas should have an-
ished the article he was reading in the
daily paper. He read standing, al
though there was a chair near, hu:
he had y saved himself in n
way. and MS spare. strongly made
frame gave no evidence either OF
hardship ov labor. At ffty-one ne
looked and felt as Il ne might live to
be 100.
Araminta was slightly and d~elicately
made. n had been a frail, pretty
girl. and she was Trailer as a woman
"ithou, being pretty al all. She had
strtven vaiiantiy ever since her wed
alns day 30 keep Up the pace Siias had
SCI Cor her-to fulfil his familiar Cos
Pei that work made a woman rug
ged. There was much to do on h
farm and she never complained. AS
long IS her nerves had lasted she had
lived on nerve nut now her nerves
were giving OF: Her nervousness
showed III every witch Of her muscles
n every step she took. in the strained
look IN her wide. blue. pathetic eyes,
and in ;he pallor OF her lips. Back
and forth she went. p~alpitating a,
zach premori{o-y rustic OF the PAPER
as Silas's eyeS nearei the bottom Of
the column.
"siias." she a. last said, IF you are
ready Iii :e'ch in the tea"
I m r@ad%." Si.as replied as he
hung the paper over me wire stretch
- 70 receive i. took of his glasses.
placed them II thar worn metal caSe
and SAT down Al the ,able.
Aramin1a showed the mashed po-
tsroes. fried pork. and milk gravy 4
f-.>,. ----- [.- $50
20 get ne :ea. She was bringing IN
me brown ee-thenware Pc, With ali
due csra when Silas observed: Ny
sister julie and her two girls sent word
DOWN by OTIS Skinner his morning
that they're coming 20 make Us a
visit. They're Up 70 Ot!s's now-been
there a couple Q: days. They're COM
!neto night"
Tonight.' Araminta gasped. Her
grasp upon the teapot unfolded weak
j. and it crashed 70 the floor, spatter-
ing the front of her dress.
S;ias lifted himself out of his chair
and glared over the table al the
w~reckage. "Broke the pot" he said.
The only Il you've got. too. 1
shan't get another one for a while.
You can use a lin dish from now on"
fee. felt uncomfor,ahly warm. hur she
~ go CIV sA4-!N - PIN ap S'~
pieces. She was trembling.
Silas sank back into his chair with
an ~exasperared sign. II don't see
what ais ye." he snarled. Throwing
dishes around and smashing them that
way"
It's because I'm nervous silas.'
Nervous. You're the only woman
! ever heard say that. Araminta. The
women folk in my family would have
been ashamed 10 mention such a
thing. Nervous, That's a pretty ex-
cuse for spilling a quarr Of good
tea"
y can't help it, silas. I'm tired
out"
Tired: What's tired you: What
You're as hypoey as sin. I hate to
And no teapot in the house"
Araminta made no reply. She
slipped away to the kitchen and set
fresh tea TO brewing. Then she slip
ped back timidly to clean up the
Treckage. Siias ate in that gloomy
silence, which was the highest ex-
preston Of his displeasure. And
the house. still in silence.
AS O on as he had zone Araminta
had a good cry. after which her ex-
hausted nerves ceased some OF their
5angling and she felt better. Over
her, however. still hung the heavy
pail Of the approaching company. She
dreaded her sister-in-law and nieces
with that dread which is engendered
of long and bitter experience. 1t was
like them TO drop in upon her sud
denly and still expect ample welcome.
They were certain to arrive before
supper and. teapot or one she must
he ready to receive them.
Araminta had much to DO. Not
once ali that charming spring after
noon when all outdoors invited to
resi- and gladness, did she pause or
ponder. And when 5 O'clock came
and Otis Skinner drew up before the
door. pale. out rigidly smiling. she
went 70 receive her guests.
julie aiishted first. She gave Ara
m;nta a hare hand and looked over
her head at the house. .Silas has
had the porch painted..' she exclaim-
ed.
4 painted It." said Araminta. faint
~.
Huh: I thought it looked like a
wor2an's work. It's dreadfully streak
ed" julie seemed to forget sometimes
that she was a woman.
Her two daughters kissed Aramin.
ia hastily and ran past her into the
house. leaving their mother and her
TO carry in the valise.
You've been baking cake" cried
Pearl. enthusiastically. oh. hope
it's whipped cream cake, aunty."