Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-23

the pans heavy and unwholesome look
ing, and her glance at Milly's loaves
had revealed the unquestioned superb
GRITTY of the latter's bread.
Milly picked up her basket and moved
toward the table.
81 shall exhibit mine," she said even
ly. at is quite well known that
am not contestant for anything save
the Little River prize"
That was the meanest thing Milly
Fenwick had ever said, and she regret
ted it instantly. Not only did the scar
let Of anger spread over Sadie's narrow
face, but there was another listener.
Frank Barlow was passing at the mo-
ment, and his gray eyes met Milly's
with puzzled expression In their cool
depths.
Sadie called him to assist her at an
other table, and so Milly was quite
alone when she arranged her beautiful
l0aves Of bread on the table which had
been arranged in the form of snowy
pyramid on which were placed canned
fruits, jellles, jams, pickles, cakes and
needlework Of every description, for
every woman and girl in Little River
made 1t a point to enter something In
the competition for domestic prizes.
Milly placed the card bearing her
name in the proper place among her
four handsome loaves and then went
away to Join her friends at the other
end of the tent 1t was a busy after
noon and evening, and 1t was not I'M
til closing time that Milly found time
to 20 and take another look at her
precious loaves.
To her delight the judges were group
ed around her exhibit, and she over
heard several fiattering remarks
"It's my bread, mother" she whis-
pered, pinching her mothers arm.
81 want to see 1t, dear" said Mrs.
Fenwick as the judges moved away.
For a long time Milly Fenwick and
her mother stood there and stared at
the four big loaves of bread that bore
the card of Sadie Downs. Milly Fen
wick's name was on the three little
soggy loaves piled near by.
"Milly, that's not Sadie's breadw
cried Mrs. Fenwick Indignantly.
Il know it, mother. Please don't say
anything now. Come away" whisper
ed Milly nervously, and she drew her
mother aside as Sadie Lownes came to
the table with her hand in Frank Bar
lows arm.
There, Mr.. Barlow! What do you
think of that for prize bread?" asked
Sadie daringly. Her eyes shot an i'm
pudent glance at Millys scornful face.
II declare, Frank" she added in low
err tone, "AIilly Fenwick acts so mean
and Jealous about this bread of mine!
Really it makes me feel quite uncom-
/ fortable!'
Frank Barlow said nothing, but his
eyes followed Millys graceful form as
! she accompanied her mother from the
tent. When be turned toward Miss
Lownes' animated face there was a
stern look about his mouth that made
the frivolous Sadie quite uneasy
Frank Barlow was the most we'll to do
young farmer in Little River and mar
rage with him meant life Of COM
/
lows were the moneyed people of Lit
tie River, and Sadie Lownes was ambi-
tious.
you haven't said that you admire
my Bread" chided Sadie
This is the finest bread / have ever
seen," said Frank gravely.
There! / am complimentary cried
Sadie. Come! Take me home, Frank.
I'm tired to death! There goes Milt
Roberts. l suppose he's going home
with Milly"
Frank WINGED, and he did not notice
that Milt Roberts was accompanying
silly Susan Brown to her home and
that Milly Fenwick drove soberly home
with her parents.
The Fenwicks decided to say nothing
about the change Sadie Lownes had
made in the cards, and Milly WINGED
more than once at the sly laughter OF
her acquaintance when they examined
the hard little loaves that bore her
name.
But she did not speak to Sadie
LowneS. She passed that braZen
young woman with contemptuous
eyes, in which slumbered a resentment
that would not be banished. The win
ming of the prize meant so much to
Milly Fenwick, while to Sadie Lownes
1t meant nothing save the good opln.
ion of Frank Barlow, for she had car
ried off first prize in jellies and cake
{ IUoII nc broad t1,ie WOO,
On the last day Of the fair the prizes
were awarded. Everybody had mad,
the rounds of the tents, and they knew
that Sadie Lownes had carried off first
prize for the finest loaves.
Milly Fenwick was there, pale ant
silent Her mother, indignant at the
duplicity of Sadie Lownes and, recog
nizing the futility of tryiag to prove
that the cards had been changed, had
stayed at home, but Milly, aware tina,
J her absence would be attributed t,
jealousy because she hud not won Q
prize, was there.
, "Milt Roberts said your loaves would
make good anchors for his boat" gig
gled Susas Brown in Milly's ear.
: Milfy smiled. A lump came into he
throat as Frank Barlow, accompanie
: by Sadie Lownes, came around an,
paused by the domestic table. Severa
Of the judges were there, and one O
them had just congratulated Sadie OF
taking the first prize for bread when
little old colored woman pushed he
way through the crowd.
1t was Aunt Hepsey Spencer, VIII,