Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-04-10

Lahnman was there, Arthur Gilbert.
Herbert Stacy, JOe-the direful spring
of woes unnumbered-and fifty more.
with whom we have nothing to do.
There said Mrs. Grey, finally,
turning to the group about her, Il think,
at last that it promises to be really
beautiful"
All agreed with her. There was quite
chorus of satisfaction, with some look
ing toward the door, for it was growing
late.
There is one thing more that must
be done, however-that certainly must
be done, said Mrs. Grey. with her usu-
al daintily emphatic utterance. Poor
Joe's bench must be furnished up lit
tie The cushion must have new mate
rial As it is, it is simply disgraceful. "
but, dear Mrs. Grey. what does it
matter? 1t doesn't show :" Thus re-
monstrated practical one.
I'VE must not make clean only the
outside of the cup and platter, " return
ed Mrs. Grey, smilingly. but still feel>
ing herself to be the rector's wife. "Mr.
Gilbert. viii you loosen the old covering
for me -
As IN duty bound. Mr.. Gilbert would
turn upholsterer with much pleasure.
Here is hammer-heavy. but l
think you can use it,
/ 1t strained Mrs. Grey's muscles. and.
/ you perceive. she thought those of Her.
cules would have been tense beneath the
weight.
Arthur. laughing, took the weighty
affair. avering that he thought he could
WELD it by the exercise of all his
strength. He went up stairs.
'.0r no. Miss Strickland, pray be
kind enough to take him this one. The
/ one be has has mo- don't know the
name-nothing to take out tacks with.
Miss Strickland did not seem to hear.
81 will take it, dear Mrs. Grey" said
Miss Lahnman, with great obligingness.
But this little lady always preferred
her own arrangements, however trivial.
I NO" she answered. Il want your
sweet taste about tie placing of the cal
la lilies. You will Oblige me, Miss
Strickland. will you not 2"
Il will take it to Mr.. Gilbert, since
you wish it" said Miss Strickland, not
without annoyance.
Thank you. Come, Alice, my dear.
Joe, come and help me lift the vases"
Miss Strickland walked up the steps
very slowly. She hoped that Mr.. Gill
bert's task would be accomplished before
she could reach the top. For, in addi-
ton to other objections, she felt her er-
rand rather ridiculous.
But he did really experience some
vexatlous hinderance thro ugh lack of the
proper instrument. and was swearing a
+ little. very softly and uncOnsciOusly, un-
der his breath, when Miss Strickland
said, Just beside him:
Hero Is letter hammer, Mr.. Gil
bert. Mrs. Grey told me to bring it TO
you"
Thank you" he answered. cOldly.
Il am much obliged to Mrs. Grey. and
of course to you also, Miss Strickland. "
Not at all to me would not have
brought it but that she insisted"
1t was only about a hammer and a
piece Of green cloth. But so oddly is
life compounded that this was the most
overpowering moment or their lives.
Never since that fatal Sunday had they
stood one moment alone together. Never
since then had either spoken one yolun-
tary sentence to the other. | have not
the art to tell all that filed their hearts
as they stood silent.
For silently they did stand moment
Miss Strickland had tried to turn and
90 down stairs again, but her head was
little giddy. and. raging at herself for
her unnecessary agitation. she still found
il would be wisdom TO remain an instant
where she was.
Mr.. Gilbert did not glance toward her
again. He was afraid to do 50. She
stood 50 near him Her dress touched
him. That meaningless contact thrilled
to his very soul. He, too, called him
self fool, and invoked inaudible anath-
enas upon himself But his heart was
one wild pain. He took the hammer she
had brought. lifted it with unnecessary
force. and brought it down-upon his
, own fingers.
.4Oh p cried Miss Strickland. It was
hardly more than breath, but the ten
! der monosyllable. surprised from her
j lips. spoke 50 much She stretched out
r her hand instinctively. and drew it back
! with painful blush.
"It is no matter" said Arthur. 1T
I did not hurt me. And indeed be scarce.
ly felt it.
| He used the hammer once more. viii
better eject. loosening an odd. rough.
: looking piece Of wood that held the fad
ed cloth. The cloth fell down, and lit
: tie cloud Of dsst arose. Something rus
+. tied and fell on the foor at bis feet :