National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-03-03

dishes as ought to be handed at the proper
time. The greatest difficulty have is to
keep my countenancc, particularly when
hand anything to Miss Linton. She Is 50
bright-looking, and il Is such fun 10 sec
the sparkle in her eyes, and the way they
eem to have very much to say for himself
and he examines every dish, as il is handed
to him, through an eye-glass. His inspec'
drop Ii they meet mine and little re.
pressed smile steals over her lips, that il
taxes my powers to the utmost to keep
from laughing. feel that should very
much like to change places with the young
fellow sitting by her side. He does not
ton is SO long, and his nose Is so close
that have growing inclination each time
to bob the dish up in his face. For more
rtan half the dinner he is silent, then he
talks little politics. tanch Conservatism
and Miss Linton immediately enunciates
the strongest radical principles, upholds
woman's suffrage, and their having seats in
PaIliment. This seems to overwhelm
him, and he retircs ftom the contest with
sigh.
Later on, he tries again, when the miicc
pies are being handed round.
"Will you have happy month 2" he
asks with faint smile, which disturbs
his cye-gass and brings it down into his
lap He rcadjusts it slowly, and, not
trusting himself to repeat the joke, asks
her to have some mince-pe.
No, thank you, never eat them," she
replies.
He has no comment to make upon her
reply and he helps himself in silence.
Crumms and | soemnly put on the wine
and tho glasses, push the dcscrt-dishes a
little one way or the other, and leave the
room.
" Bravo whispered Crumms when We
are in the hall. Bravo, Sir With a
little teaching you'd make a capital waiter.
And Miss Linton mistaking you for gen
tleman, too What a joke At least, "
he adds, as il he suddenly feels that he has
made rather mistake himself, " of course,
that is what you are, and gent is always
gent, | say. But you understand. Sir.
1t was SO ludcrous.
" Perfectly, | understand, Crumms.
What are you going to do now :"
"Well, Sir" he said, coming little
nearer. II generally have something in
the housekeeper's room. May be you
wouldn't like that, though we should be
quite alone"
A. | want something to eat, and am not
particular where | got it, | followed
Crumms downstairs into the kitchen.
Crumms says he must take the coffee up
to the gentlemen, and leaves the room.
No sooner is be gone than one Of the ser
wants comes in apparently in search of
something. Whatever, it is she does not
find it, She hunts about vaguely for a
minute. and then stops opposite to me.
80 Miss Linton took you for gentle
man. she says with laugh. How nice !"
g. Miss Linton made an unfortunate mis-
take, | answered grayely, initiating
Crumms' manner
! swell, | don't know about that she
replies. There is certainly an excuse for
her doing so "
/ At this moment Crumms shuts the dim
mgr door; and the girl, without look
ing. further for whatever it was she had
pretended to come in to fetch, Immediately
makes rapid retreat.
Been pumping you, sir }"sad Crumms,
Jerking with his thumb in the direction OF
the kitchen.
"Trying to-" answer.
81 knew they would" he replies.
They are awful curious about you, them
omen. wouldn't stop here too long
now. There amt anything more for you
to do, and can say you've got an ap-
pointment to keep, you know.
Acting upon his advice, we 60 upstairs
to the hall, and Crumms lets me out,
shutting the door very quietly behind me.
1t is a fine clear night and turn my
face homeward, and stroll slowly along the
deserted square. 60 all up the long
straight Cover street without meeting any
one. BY the University see figure adj
vancng quickly. We pass under gas
lamp, and both pull up.
| Herbert, by Joye!"
why, Roche, what are you doing here ?
Going out to dinner2"
Just had 1t, " he replies. Z" Been to
see an old lady home"
| He then naturally wonders what | am
doing strolling along the streets at night.
| tell him have been out to dinner.
They have broken up very early" he
says; and then asks suddenly: You
/ haven't sneaked OIL to read, surely y
/ This is said in tone as if it were
mortal sin for man to read for an exami-
nation
"Thats right" he says, when had dis
claimed any idea of reading. Well, you
come home with me. My people will be
very glad to see you. We always have
carpet dance or something in the evening"
Iaccept readily, and 60 back with Roche
to his house.
We have cleared the room for dancing,
and the first quadrille has just commenced.
Not being able to get partner, am
standing on the landing, when carriage
rolls up to the street-door, and there is a
loud knock announcing the arrival of some
new comers.
Mrs. Roche hurries down and meets
them in the hall. hear her say as they
come upstairs, You are just too late for
the first dance, Helen"
The name quite makes me start
by Jove, if it should be Miss Linton J"
is my muttered thought.
half hope il may be; | half hope it
NAV not be; and | haven't time to decide
which half is the stronger, before Miss
Linton herself comes laughing up the stairs
At the very first glimpse Of her, in
stinctively draw back into the shade, and
she and her mamma pass by without
noticing me.
1t seems very ridiculous to meet the
same young lady twice in one evening,
first as waiter, and then as guest but
there-it is done, it is a fdhdcoomph; and
Miss Linton and are once more under the
same roof. wonder if she will recognize
ing the tray i, both hands-till the dance
finishes, and Roche comes out to u.s.