Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-22

" Kitty, said she to the servant, "come and
help me clear away all these things. Mrs,
Flanagan is coming carly tomorrow morning
to clean house, and we must be ready for her. "
Ilaploss John Morrion Here was the
shadow Of house cleaning once again darkly
brooding over his life
Mrs Tyson came to Mrs. Grimshaws to
tea, the next evening looking very bowtch-
ing in her shining black silk and hair to
match, with cherry checks and vclvety-brown
eyes, Merrions brow frightened as he walk
ed up to her Did she blush ? He thought
she did, ltte-but she put out her little
hand quito unconccrnedly What excellent
actresses these women are
" Don't you think it's pleasant evening "
said Mr.. Mcrrion, with fate trembling on the
tip Of his tongue.
" No, | don't answered the widow, lift
ing her long oyclashes. "l think we shall
have rain: and lam sorry, for we have just
cmomcnced house cleaning 20
Mr.. Merrion dropped the little hand as
suddenly as if his own had been stricken by
palsy Mrs. Tyson's answer had killed the
two birds Of his hearts hope with one stone
He had got his quietus, and he might as well
20 about his business at once
They're all alike pondcred our hero
modify. They would any one Of them
immediate mans heart upon the point Of a
carpet tack, or submorgc his soul in pail Of
whitewash, and think they had accomplished
the whole duty Of woman. And the worst
Of all is, that Mrs. Tyson never looked as
pretty in her life as she does tonight"
Mr.. Merrion went up stairs to pack his
valiso for a journey to the south he felt
that he could not endure the possibility Of
seeing Mrs Tyson, perhaps daily. Like the
delicious pink-cheeked apricot that hangs on
the sunny wall just beyond the school-boy' IS
reach, the pretty widow became precious
in his eyes in proportion as she became mac
cessible.
Cora Tyson cried a little when she heard
that Mr.. Merron was gone. House clean
ing is not olevating to the spirits, particular
ly in damp weather. and Mrs. Tyson had al
idea-women do pick up strange whimsie'
that Mr.. Merrion was beginning to be fonC
Of her.
1t serves me right for being so ridicu
lous,' she said, dashing away bright drol
from her checks " I'm sure he's nothing L
me-"
And Mrs Tyson tied pocket handker
chief round her head, shouldcred a giganti,
feather duster, and climbed up a tall step
ladder to dust the books on the library
shelves before the ubiquitous Flanagan shoul,
pervade the room with scrubbing brushes anC
mop
Here's my portfolio" said Mrs. Tyson
seating herself on the top step and mechan
icaly opening it "and here is--my good
ness me :"
For she saw Mr. Merrion's il-fated love
letter for the first time, and her heart gave {
/ little spasmodic futter behind the handle o
the feather duster.
She was sitting there, in position eevat
ed rather than romantic, her black hair tiet
up behind a pocket handkerchief and he
flushed cheek resting on one hand while witt
the other she held the letter, when Kate tn,
maid opened the door to guest.
"Sure it is here she is, said Kate. AnC
Mr.. Merrion walking in beheld Mrs. Tyson il
the act of reading his own love-letter.
Cora jumped up, and then sat down again
dropped the feather duster, but held tight OF
to the letter, while the roses blossomed redl,
out on her checks.
Mr.. Merrion had been south, but he hat
discovered that a southern atmosphere was n,
medicine to a mind diseased Aud he haC
come back to try his fate over again at
most auspicious moment as it seemed.
Well, said Mr.. Merrion, gancng at tn
letter, do you think you can get along witt
a grum old bachelor like me2"
shall try, at all events" said Cora dc
murely.
Why didn't you say 50 before 2' aske
Merrion reproachfully.
Because yod never asked me-"
wrote that letter a week ago.
But | never saw it until this moment Z"
Ah!" said Mr. Merrion, little bitterly
" might have known better than to propos
in house-cloaning time !"
You ungrateful wretch !" said Cora, witt
smile that took off the sting from her words
don't you know that if it hadn't been fo
house-cleaning | never should have founC
your letter at all ?"
Well" said Mr.. Merrion, roenting some
what, 81 won't insist on the postscript part oft
"You had better not !" said Cora.
And then she came half way down tn
step-adder to give him the first kiss.
OF course they were married and o
course they lived happy ever afterward. Mr.
Merrion has even been heard to rashly boas
to friend that =" his wife never cleane
house !" But Cora promptly interfered. "Wha
nonsense !" said Cora. "Of course, | ceal
house twice year, but dear old Jack can
believe that house cleaning can 60 on unles
all the carpets are up at once and the whole
house steams with soapsuds and kalsominc
A thing can be done well and quietly at tn
same time"
"That wasn't Mother Grimshnw's method.
As if Mother Grimshaw was a represon
tative woman ~ said Cora, a little scornfully
.N