CHAPTER II.

THE FATAL RIDE.


Esther and Jane arose on the morning of August 28th, 1878, as was their
usual custom, at half-past six, and ate breakfast with the rest of the
family.

After breakfast Jane went to Mrs. Dunlap's, Dan to his shoe factory with
his brother-in-law, William Cox, John Teed also went to _his_ work, and
none of the family remained in the house but Olive and Esther, who
commenced to wash up the breakfast dishes and put the dining room in
order, so that part of their work at least should be finished before the
two little boys came down stairs to have their childish wants attended
to. What with making the beds and sweeping the rooms, and washing out
some clothing for the boys, both Esther and Olive found plenty to occupy
their time until the hour for preparing dinner arrived. When Olive
commenced that rather monotonous operation, assisted by Esther, who, as
she sat on the door-step between the dining room and kitchen paring
potatoes, and placing them in a can of cold water beside her, attracted
her sister's attention by her continued silence and the troubled
expression of her countenance.

"What in the name of the sun ails you to-day, Esther?" inquired Olive,
really worried by her little sister's sad appearance.