Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-11-03
BRATTLEBORO, VT, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1915

he was so urgent 10 nave US come IN tDal 4
did not know how 10 get out Of It, and was
afraid we should actually have to accept bis
invitation and make him a call, which
would have been rather a stupid ending CT
our freak. But Kate never lost her head,
whatever happened. She smiled bewitcb-
ingly on the deacon, women are the only
strategists who use the same artillery
against friends and foes,-and answered
mischlevously, nudglng me:
awe were just debating whether 10 ring
your bell or not, deacon, as you catne along,
but Tn afraid II is rather late for a call.
We shall have TO postpone your discipline
TO another evening"
"And so, with goodnight 10 the deacon,
we went along.
"'Got out of that neatly said Kate. Isn't
II fun9
"The next house showed light in the
front windows and we voted II unsafe. But
the next was unexceptionablc for our pur-
poses. The front windows were dark, and
the gate was quite near to the stoop, so that
retreat would be easy, while row of shrub
berry along the fence offered still further
cover TO the fugitive. A new conner whom
we will call Jones though that was not his
name, lived there. knew him as bow
ing acquaintance, but nothing moro; and,
whether he had family, or in what it con-
sisted, we had not heard. He was not in
our set.
ado be cireful,' whispered Kate, just as
il she she hadn't put me up to IL. That lit
lie scene with the deacon, though she man.
aged II SO cleverly, had left her rather hut-
tered and nervous, and believe she would
have been willing TO let me oil. Pretend
ing TO be children was funny enough for a
few minutes, but ii had already palled on
us. Sill 1 thought IL would be pity afler
so much talk and maneuvering not TO do
something, and so, telling Kate TO be ready
TO run, 1 stepped lightly up by the side of
the walk TO The door. felt for the handle
of the bell, bound TO have i. over with as
soon as possible, and jerked it with that
thoroughness one puts into thing which
he does in spite of himself.
"Another moment would have seen me
flying up the street dragging Kate by the
hand, but, while 1 was yet in the act OF
pulling, before had let go, the door open
ed the dark hall, like the mouth OF drag
on, gaped upon me, and Mr.. Jones sprang
out with yindlctive ejaculation. 1t took
only an instant. Insiinctively 1 lodged,
just in time TO save my collar from bis
grasp, and was in the act OF taking to my
heels in panic, when he started back, ex-
claiming with an appearance OF great re-
gret and chagrin:
"'I beg pardon, sir, thousand times.
took you for one of those rascally boys who
have been tormenting me all the evening.
had been lying in wait, and thought had
caught one for sure; 1 cannot sufficiently
apologize
His profuse regrets gave me lime to re-
cover a small share OF my scattered wits,
and managed 10 humble in reply.
Certainly, sir, very excusable; odd
mistake, and even forced very feeble 'ha,
ha.'
"Come in, sir, come in said Mr.. Jones
with effusion, an xious TO make amends for
his rough reception, and evidently ascrib-
ing wholly 10 that, my state Of confusion.
II had no choice but 10 follow him in.
As did so,iI heard something that sound
ed like an bysierical giggle from behind
the shrubbery.
"-ls stood undtr the hall lamp I was
conscious that Jones was regarding me
rather closely. As 1 said before, 1 barely
knew him by sight, and could think Of no
possible excuse of business or politeness
for my presence in his hall. No rule Of eti-
quette made 1t in the least suitable for me
TO be making formal call, besides the facts
that it was full hour too late for that pur-
pose, aud my toilet was by no means fault
less. came TO desperate resolve that If
he did not recognize me, of which was
quite doubtful, would ask for some mon
ey and pass myself Off as a gentemanly
mendicant. But he did.
"'Mr. Phelps, believe he said with a
slight hesitation, and paused as If to allow
me TO announce my business.
"I stood looking like perfect fool, red
in the face, speechless, abject, not daring 10
meet his eye. No chicken-thief, caught
with chickens legs sticking out under his
coat, was ever a more complete picture of
conscious guilt. That was what seemed
to myself, but 10 him suppose appeared
merely rather embarrassed at being obliged
to explain that my call was wholly of So
cial nature. You see he was himself some
what embarrassed at having received a
guest In so singular a manner, and this
made him the less attentive TO my demean-
or. He thought he was the one who was in
the awkward position. So, on seeing that
my call was not on business, he said affa-
bly,:
"'I'm glad you called. Will you walk
into the parloy? My daughter and are
quite alone.'
81 followed him helplessly, like sheep
led 10 the slaughter, and was ushered into
a coy room with but a single occupant.
''The prcttiest young lady that ever saw,
with the brownest eyes, the sunniest hair,
most tempting hands, dainliest figure and
dearest smile that God ever put together,
sat demurely reading by the table.
at was your mother" EdDdrd BelIdHly
in Seri6ners.
S.I'Il Pay Won for Tha9v'