Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-13

y
phases, as Arson entered. a
She talked rapidly, pouring out such s
a torrent of words that tie old man a
could not, by any possibility, slip one in S
among them, and sat regarding her with
IN expression of establishment.
This remarkable volubility completely
batfled the old mans slowness. He
could not say word if he wished to,
and she concluded: II can cook flap
Jacks and corn bread thatd bring he {
very eyes out iv yer head and make yes
swally yer tongue with the delicate some
ness, Gf he had weakness, it was for
corn bread and f1ap-jacks, he could only
twirl his thumbs in sort of ridiculous
awe, and asked her with a sudden smile {
how much she expected ''to get for all
these things"
''Seventy-five cents week." was the ]
prompt reply.
With still more cunning laugh, Joel
offered her half the money Greatly to
his amazement she agreed at once; and
he found himself, to use his own eX-
preston, sin for it." To add to his cha
grin, Arson stood by, laughing with in
tense enjoyment.
But the girl, without further ado, pro-
ceeded to disencumber herself of bon
net and shawl, and vanish in the direc-
ton Of the kitchen before anything could
be said.
AS she shut the door she stole a glance
at Arson that made him start and bite
his lips, and presently he stole kitchen
ward also. She was already at work
handling a broom like an adept, and
| grumbling in her rich brogue at the dust |
that had accumulated in the corners for
the extent of Anson's and his fathers |
sweepings had been to brush the centre |
of the room, somewhat to the disadYan-
tage of the rest.
She did not look up as Arson entered; |
but he sat down and deliberatively, and
| furtively watched her. For some time
she seemed unconscious of his scrutiny ;
but presently she turned and clasping
both her little hands upon the top of the
boom handle, said, with a mixture of
bavado and archness, too natural to be
mistaken
''Wen, Arson, what do you think p
The young man laughed and looked
annoyed in the same breath.
''Then it is you, Barbie? ?" he said;
Il was suspecting something of the
sort"
''Not till l looked at you," said the
girl, roguishly retreating as he ap-
preached.
''Do you think it is quite the thing,
Barbie?"
"Sure. an why amt it the thing for a
poor girl to be gettin' her living decent
ly and honestly ?"
! And that was all he could get out of
her. Having acknowledged her identity
with Barbie for an instant, she was the
most unapprOachable Biddie the next,
, and would have nothing to say in that
character
'Does your father know of this, Bar
bic? What would he say" persevered
! Arson.
T "Shure, an it's not my own fadder
: would be interferin' wild me, would he?"
o said Biddy. In vain were all remon-
strances with the roguish and wilful girl.
She persisted in being Biddy even to him,
! and maintained distance between them
f very different from that between him
and Barbie in her own proper self. An
o nOyed, provoked, chagrined, almost an
= CRY, the advent of his father forced him
h to retire from the kitchen, for fear of
: betraying Barbies secret, which he
n would not have done for a good deal.
Y 1t was several hours before he could
return to the house, his father upon one
q preteXt or another having detained him.
When at last they entered together,
u kitchen and sitting room, both of which
h had been left in most untidy state when
r they left there, had undergone such a
!, remarkable renoyating process that old
q Joel drew back at first, thiIi1ing that he
+ had set foot in somebody ase's house in
=. stead of his own.
4 Supper was smoking on the table :;
Is such a supper as old Josl, at least, had
# net seen for months To crown all,
Mrs. Shellenbarger was sitting propped
o up with pillows, in a great easy chair,
p and looking wonderfully contented, and
with reasOn-the poor old lady had not
had a woman's hand about her before,
o. since her illness. They lived in such an
. solatedinhOspitable manner that but very
= few of their BeighbOrs even knew Mrs.
Shellenbarger was not as well as usual.
> Biddy. as She called herself, had tided
y the old lady up in a wonderful man
ner
% Joel Shellenbarger sat down to the
i dantily spread table, and made most
" hearty and keenly relished meal, glanc-
4 ing askance at Biddy meanwhile. An
son, strange to say, eat very little, and
he watched Biddy askance, too.
~ This was only the beginning of re-
forms this darling girl instituted First,
>, however, as much for her own peace of
= mind rs notwithstanding that mother
and son were fast friends, and always
, of one opinion-she told her secret to
r. Mrs. Shellenbarger, and finally vince
7 died the good lady into approval 1t is
+ true that she shook her head at first, and
r looked wonderfully shocked. 1t was so
charming to have those little soft hands
ffuttering about her, and to see bright
y ness and comfort spring up around, that
2 she could not, for her own sake, help
cOuntenance as much as silence could,
n Biddys mysterious presence.
9 | havnt time to give particulars. but
having made a good beginning, with a
true Irish felicity. Biddy established
f herself, ia a short time, completely in
, the good graces of the old man. He
had lurking likeness for neatness and
good order, and Mrs. Shellenbarger. poor
woman, wasn't a neat housekeeper.
Under the new reign, order grew out of
chaos the house seemed in holiday
garb all the time, and an atmosphere Of
social cheerfulness perVaded every
where.
One morning, the old man ended a
grumbling complaint of Answorth: 81
never see no good come or education yet.
If it hadn't been for that college bust
ness, you might have taken liking to
a sensible girl, and she to you
lie glanced at Biddy as she spoke.
She turned scarlet, and came very near
dropping the dish she was holding. 1t
was not the first time Arson had heard
such insinuations, and he rather enioye,
Biddy's trepidation. T
See here, father" he said. roguishy,
Just pick me ont q wife, and see Wat
will come of it..
The only girl knew Of worth nav
ing wouldn't have on, Idare say-gould
YOU. Biddy?" Joel said grumblin,ly, but
turning suddenly to the girl
Arson was smiling maliciousy. Bird
get O'Flynn had kept Barbie's love at a
tantalizing and unrelenting Astance all
this time. He was taking his revenge
now. Making a desperateeffort. Bid