River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-04-03

capable of the folly of mourning at
death-bed. Agatha's spirits, fresheneA
by hope and the sleep of health, rose
to buoyancy which was well able IS
deal with practical questions. She
quickly formed plan for the dayt
though she was wise enough to with
hold the scheme from the maid
Agatha drank her coffee, ate spar.
ingly of Sallie's toast, and, leaving
Lizzie with piece Of sewing to do,
went first to James Hambleton's room.
After ten minutes or so, she slowly de-
scended the stairs and went out the
front way. She circled the garden
and came round to the open kitchen
door. Sallie was kneeling before her
oven, inspecting bread. Agatha watch
ed her while she tapped the bottom
of the tin, held her face down close to
the loaf. and finally took the whole
baking out of the oven and tipped the
tins on the table
That's the most delicious smell
that ever was!" said Agatha.
Sallie jumped up and pulled her
apron straight.
''Lor', Miss Redmond, how you
scared me! Couldn't you sleep any
longer?"
II didn't want to; I'm as good as
new Tell me, Sallie, where all the
people are. Mr. Hand is in Mr.. Ham
bleton's room, know, but where are
the others?"
II guess they're all parceled round"
said Sallie with symptoms of shifting.
81 don't wanter complain, Miss Red
mond, but we amt had any such a
houseful since Parson Thayer's last
conference met here, and not so many
then; only three ministers and two
wives, though, of course, ministers
make more work. But / wouldn't say
a word, Miss Redmond, about the
work, if it wasn't for that young
woman that puts on such airs coming
and getting your tray. amt used to
that
Sallie paused, like any good orator
while her main thesis gained impress
siveness from silence. 1t was only,
too evident that her feelings were
hurt.
Agatha considered the matter, but
before replying came farther into the
kitchen and touched the tip of fin
ger to one of Sallie's loaves, lifting it
to show it's golden brown crust.
You're an expert at bread, Sallie,
can see that" she said heartily. Il
shouldn't have got over my accident
half so we'll if it hadn't been for your
good food and your care, and | want,
you to know that 1 appreciate it."
She was reluctant to discuss the maid,
but her cordial liking for Sallie coun-
seled frankness Don't mind about
Lizzie. l thought you had too much
to do, and that she might just as well
help you, but If she bothers you, we
won't have it. And now tell me
where Mrs. Stoddard and the others
are"
Sallie's symptoms indicated that she
was about to be propitiated; but she
had yet desire to make her position
clear to Miss Redmond. "It's all right;
only I've taken care of the china for
seventeen years, and it don't seem
right to let her handle it. And she
told me herself that anybody that had
any respect for their hands wouldn't
do kitchen work And II her hands
are too good for kitchen work, I'm
sure 1 don't want her messing round
here. She left the tea on the stove
till it boiled, Miss Redmond, just yes
terday."
Agatha smiled I'm sure Lizzie
doesn't know anything about cooking.
Sallie. and she shall not bother you
any more"
Sallie turned rather less melan-
choly face toward Agatha. tits been
fairly lonesome since the parson died.
I'm glad you've come to the red
house." The words came from Sal
lies lips gruffly and ungraciously, but
Agatha knew that they were sincere.
She knew better, however, than to
appear to notice them. In moment
Sallie went on: MRS. Stoddard.
she's asleep in the front spare room.
Said for me to call her at twelve"
Poor woman! She must be tired"
said Agatha.
Aunt Susan's a stout woman, Miss
Redmond. She didn't go to bed until
she'd had prayers beside the young
mans bed, wish Mr.. Hand present.
had to wait with the coffee. And
guess Mr.. Hand amt very much used
to our ways, for when Aunt Susan had
made a prayer, Mr. Hand said: Yes,
ma'am!' instead of Amen"
There was a mixture Of disappro-
baton and grim humor which did not
escape Agatha. She was again be-
guiled into smile, though Sallie re-
NAMED grave as tombstone.
"Mr. Hand will learn" said Agatha;
and was about to add Like the rest
of u.s." but thought better OF it. Sal.
lie took up her tale.
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