The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-09-18

After ten minutes or 30. she slowly do
scended the stairs and went out the
front way. She circled the garden
and came round to the open ki.chan
door. Sailie was kneeling before hor
oven. inspecting bread. Agatha watch.
ed her while she tapped the bottom
OF the tin, held her face down close 10
the loaf, and finally took the whole
baking out of the oven and tipped tbs
tins on the table.
That's the most delicious smell
that ever was!" said Agatha.
Sallie jumped up cad pulled her
apron straight.
'Lor', Miss RedmcrI. how you
scared me! Couldn't Sou sleep amy
longer?"
Il didn't want to; Tn as good as
new. Tell me. Sallie, where all the
people are. Mr.. Hand Is in Mr.. Ham
bleton's room, / know. tat where are
the others?"
Il guess they're all par:eled round
said Sallie with symptoms OF smiling.
Il 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 l wouldn't say
a word, Miss Redmond, about the
work, II it wasn't for shat young
woman that puts on such airs coming
and getting your tray. I sln't used to
that"
Sallie paused, like any good orator,
while her main thesis gaiEed impress
s~iveness from silence. IL 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 a I'M
ger to one Of Sallie's loaves, lifting 1t
to show its golden brown crust.
You're an;expert at bread, Sallie, i
can see that" she said heartily. 4
shouldn't have got over ny accident
half so we'll if it hadn't been for your
good food and your care. and | want
you to know that I appreciate it."
She was reluctant to discuss the maid,
but her cordial. liking for Sallie coun-
seled frankness. Don't mind about
Lizzie. | 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. hnd now tell me
where Mrs. Stoddsrd and the others
are"
Sallie's symptoms Indicated that she
was about to be propitiated; but she
had yet a desire to make her position
clear to Miss Redmoni. ats all right;
only I've taken care Vt the china for
seventeen years, ana it don't seem
right to let her handle 1t. And she
told me herself that anybody that had
any respect for theic HANDS wouldn't
do kitchen work. And IL her hands
are too good for Kitchen work, I'm
sure l don't want her messing round
here. She left the tea on the stove
till 1t 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 a rather less melan-
choly face toward Agatha. ITS been
fairly lonesome since the parson died.
Pm glad you've come to the red
house" The words came from Sal
lies lips grufiy and ungraciously, but
Agatha knew that they were sincere.
She knew better, however, than to
appear to notice them. In a 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, with 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 a smile, though Sallie re-
NAMED grave as a 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.
CTo BE CONTINUED.)