Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-10-12

There" said Amy, signing note
with Gabriella," in the most minute
characters. there's my last sheet of pa
per, and my last ounce Of brains. I'm
utterly y exhausted !" ........
But, Amy, you won't feel exhausted
tomorrow, said demure Susy Jones,
"when we hand dear Mr.. Rivers nice
sum of money to help him rebuild the
parsonage"
"That dreadful ire!" said Amy, shud-
dering. "Mother says she don't approve
of fairs generally but when ones min
lister is burned out. and the money wont
come in fast any other way, why, she'll
bake cakes and make pincushions with
the best of u.s."
"And then, you know" said Mabel,
earnestly. " there will be no raffliug or
cheating, and the articles are all pretty
and good of their kind"
"Girls, is it not time to dress ?" said
Susy, consulting wee watch at her belt.
1--WE open at seven"
1.-The ia ples are all ready"
True, but it is after five now, and
every wants time for at least one extra
touch to their inery, when they must face
all Claireville
Scatter, then" said Amy, laughing.
Run home, all of you! Leave the let
ters here; | will take care Of them. | am
to be postmistrcss, you know"
mot bit of it," said Leonora. "You
are only to sit in the background and di-
rect the envelopes, which | will give to
anxious inquirers."
Whew how important we are" was
the merry answer. And the laughing
group dispersed.
The large hall of Clairevile was bril-
liantly illuminated when, two hours later,
the young girls announced all in readiness
for opening the doors. The pretty tables,
tasteful decorations, and groups of lovely
girls made no mean picture, and Claire
vile walked about, admired, and, above
all, purchased to the full content of the
fair originators of the entertainment.
Hidden away from sight by the full folds
of curtain, Amy sat shrined in the post
Office, answering Lenora's call for letters
BUSY excitement had flushed herfair
cheeks, and, as her pen traced familiar
names one after another, smiles chased each
other over lips and eyes. Suddenly a call
made her turn pale: her fingers trcmbled
as she drew from her bosom the letter she
had written with prayer. 1t was fully
directed, yet she hesitated, holding it as
if reluctant to let it 60.
T." Come, Amy. Is there nothing for
Mr.. Leonard Watson? p cried Lenora.
The letter was slipped through the
appointed place in the curtain, and Amy
drew quick breath of apprehension as
she heard the manly voice that said,
thank you, Miss Darcy"
:" If he isangry!' she whispered. "If
he should be angry"
But Leonard Watson had slipped the
letter carelessly into the breast pocket of
his coat. and was sauntering in his usual
lazy manner down the hall He was a
tall. handsome man, with broad fore
head and large ewes, which spoke well for
his heart and intellect; but with the blase
air and debonnaire manner of one for
when the world had offered its pleasures
to satisfy. and who had not learned to
look on life's purpose in duty. The lit
tie world of Clairevile spoke well of
Leonard Watson. The girls admired his
courtly gallantry, his polished manner,
and honeyed words; the young men ap-
plauded his generosity, his wines, bis
horses, and his good temper; the older
heads were ready to worship his wealth.
his birth, and position; only here and
there word was whispered of late revcls
at Fairbank, of an occasional lapse into
inebriety, or dropped hint that young
Watson was living too fast"
There were many bright bellies who
cherished secret belief Of Leonard's
marked preference, yet the gay heart was
untouched. the travelled taste unsatisfed
and he was a free man. in word or thought