A Cloistered Romance (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V IT was almost a week after the accident before Alethea went to the home again. She had not heard of the runaway nor of Sister Gertrude's new patient, and it was with some surprise that she recognized Mr. Samuel at work in the vegetable-garden, for she had just seen the sisters' wagon turning a distant corner. "How is it that you are not driving to-day, Mr. Samuel?" she asked. "Cashdollar's got the mule," he said briefly. "Why, Mr. Cashdollar can't drive." He laughed. "The sisters prefer him to me." "What have you been doing, Mr. Samuel?" At this question he put down his hoe and looked at her with interest. "Ain't you heard what happened the day I taken 'em to your house?" Alethea was all attention. She sat down at once on the grass by the side of the turnip patch and waited for him to tell the tale. He gave it with certain reservations. "But it wasn't your fault," she exclaimed when he had finished. Mr. Samuel averted his glance and went back to work again. "The sisters is kind of nervous, I reckon," he said evasively. "But they have always felt so safe when you were driving Goliath. I've heard Sister Claire say so." "It's not every one can manage that mule," he said proudly. "As for Cashdollar, I wouldn't engage him to drive a goat." "Did he want to drive?" Alethea asked. "Him? Oh, yes; Josiah's always ready to come forward. It don't make no difference to him whose place he's settin' in." Mr. Samuel's injuries were rankling, and his tone had in it a certain venomous quality which convinced Alethea that there was a part of the story that he had not recounted. Suddenly she remembered what the sisters had said about his "tendency," and she discreetly changed the subject. "It was a very brave thing that man did," she said. "He's all stove in," Mr. ...