Year: 1872




looking for came; the stage sank with a
sudden lurch into deep rut, and one of
the wheels snapped like reed. Forunate-
ly the vehicle was not upset, and only stuck
fast but they could go no farther. Here
was a cheerful state of things The
nearest house was half mile away, and
they had the alternative of walking to it
through the mud or of waiting there in the
bleak March wind for an indefinite time
till another conveyance was found. The
former course was plainly the wise one,
and all scrambled out accordingly. Lymp
Tucker drew up the skirt of her gay silk
dress, thereby making a liberal display of
ankles and under-garments, but the comely
shape of the one and the spotless neatness
of the other made il excusable. Then,
taking possession of the kicking baby, and
bidding her brother give his assistance to
Middleton, she led the way across the field,
the whole company taken up their line of
march behind her.


Arrived, after considerable difficulty, at
the farmhouse, they had the satisfaction
~ ASsANhiB "iie'o 'hOJ ihuoO WoiO uO AOaoI
two hours for the repair of the broken
wheel, and that they were still five miles
short of the halfway house where they had
expected to take dinner. OF course they
were all nearly famisbed after riding SO
long in the cold. The good woman of the
house seemed well disposed to supply their
wants, but she was alone and her larder
somewhat lean. 81 don't suppose you'd
want fried pork, said she, obviously. 81
might kill couple of pullets."


"That would take too long altogether"
said Lymp Tucke. "We should eat the
baby before they would be ready"


"Well guess Jones' wife, down at the
corner would let me have some ham /; but
hain't got no bread baked then" h


"Oh, never mind that. Give me the
things to do it with, and I'll have the bread
made by the time you are back from
JONES'"


"La, now," said the hostess, looking
doubtfully at the fine apparel of her guest,
"do you suppose you could?"


"You bring me the things and see," re-
piled the other, laying aside the velvet
cloak and light kid gloves. The woman
obeyed at once. Miss Tucker turned up
the silken sleeves, from pair of large and
handsome white arms and tied ON a big
check apron, while the hostess flung shawl
around her head and took her way across
the field to " the corner"


The only fire in the house was in the
kitchen, SO all the passengers sat around it
and watched the preparation of their repast.
The impromptu bread baker flirted a -four
sitter, twirled spoon in pan, made
several rapid passes over board, and in
an incredibly short time had produced a
large painful Of biscuits, which she set in a
tin baker before the open fire. The hos
tess soon returned, and presently had ready
smoking dish of hot ham and eggs,
which, with biscuits like snow-flakes, made
a very inviting repast.


By the time the meal was we'll over the
driver returned with his wheel mended,
and they took the road again. Harvey,
who had paid the entertainer liberally for
his own dinner, noticed the pale young
woman approach and offer to do the
same.


"That is all settled" said the hostess,
and motioned with her hand toward Miss
Tucker.


Harvey felt mortified that he should not
have thought to do that kindness himself.
He overheard the poor womans grateful
murmur Of thanks to her new friend and
the light laugh with which they were turn
ed aside. He had come to like the sound of
that laugh quite as well as the driver. He
was not sorry when, ON resuming their
places, he found Miss Tucker seated beside
himself He could no longer bear to be only
the recipient Of kindness, and he exerted
himself to show to his companion all those
small courtesies of the road which occasion
allowed. He talked very little, however,
though he talked his very best and his
grave, respectful demeanor offered no In
dex Of the feeling, as new as it was delight
full, which really thrilled through all the
pulses of his being. 1t was not merely
respect for the fine qualities he had discov-
cd in her, nor wholly his kindling admira-
ton for her rich and glowing beauty, but
an emotion commingled with and. far trans
cending both--a delicate and subtle pleas
ure in the presence OF large and gracious
woman which his whole mans nature ac-
knowIedged and bowed down to.
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