Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-08-26


his hair, as though he had committed
some very wicked act, instead of asking
simple question.
He was bashful, extremely SO, was
Frank Wollmerath, at least in the pres
ence of ladies, and, most of all, in the
society of the girl he loved.
How he contrived to approach Maggie
Williams on the subject Of his preference
for her, probably remains as much a
mystery to himself as it is to others.
Frank was worth, in a worldly way,
more than any of her suffers good look
ing and intelligent enough to satisfy
anyone but an over-fastidious person.
"Mother is going over to Aunt Ems
to spend the evening, and wants me to
go; but l won't. I've been working
on fathers shirts all day, besides doing
the. house work, and am as tired as |
can be, so they will have to do without
me. Don't come until s o'clock; l
shall be through putting things to right
then. and will let you in.
Of course Frank so far forgot his
bashfulness as to petition for a good-by
kiss, which was peremptorily refused.
"No, I shan't Think | didn't see
you fdgetting round Maggie Summer,
Lizzie Winter, Lena Spring, Frida and
Angelica Fall yesterday? I've not for
gotten that, sir !"
"Now, Maggie
But the appeal was broken off by a
tantalizing little laugh, and, as he sprang
forward to take pleasant revenge on
his tormentress, she slipped away, and
ran up the path to the house, where he
saw her wave her hand as she disap-
peared within the kitchen porch.
And then he turned from the gate,
and took the road homeward.
$
The tea-things had been carried out,
the table set back against the wall, and
Maggie's workstand drawn up in front
of the blazing fire.
Maggie was sewing and thinking how
she could tell her mother she expected a
visitor.
She would have given the world to be
able to say in an of-handed manner, that
she expected Mr.. Wollmerath to drop in
about s.
81 shall not dare to tell her; she'll
be sure to think l wished to get her out
of the way, so l might have Frank all
to myself, and / should never hear the
last of it"
And, like wise little puss, she was
silent.
You would not have wondered at oul
young farmers inthrallment, if you
could have seen Maggie Williams as she
sat by the freside that cold Novembe
evening. A neatly-ftting, dark silk
with the new look still on it, fresl
linen collar, and tasteful black sill
apron. These were the chief items o
Maggie's toilet; but she looked as swee
and dainty in her plain dress as if hour
had been spent in donning laces ant
jewels.
Eight o'clock and past.
J Mrs. Williams was dozing in he
chair-her shadow on the wall bobbe,
about in grotesque mimicry as she nod
ded to and fro; her fat hands lay list
: lessly in her lap; her ball of yarn ha
E rolled out upon the hearth. and pus
e was busy converting it into Gordia
knots.
e And just then came double rap a
!" door-so loud, so sudden, so self-assured
/ that Maggie started up, with littl
shrek, and set her foot on the cats Ia
a who. in turn, gave voice to her amaze
ment and displeasure. The combine
noise aroused Mrs. Williams, and, star
ing into an erect posture, she rubbe
: her eyes, settled her cap border, an
v exclaimed:
# "Bless my soul. Maggiel What W;
J, that Somebody at the door? Who ca
be coming at this time of night?"
4 sit is not late, mother-only lit
n after s. I'll 60 and see who it is" sal
7, Maggie, demurely, taking the cand
!" from the table.
y "No. You wind up my ball, al
70 sweep up the hearth, while go to Il
a door" said the old lady, whose fe
lie were struggling in the meshes of Il
W unraveled yarn. "Drat that catp
y And all this time Frank was standil
- on one foot in the cold porch, with h
hands in his overcoat pockets, wonde
to ing if Maggie had fallen asleep, al
IN every now and then giving the door
ne rap by way of variation.
T. In her hurry. Mrs. Williams forgot
: take the candle, and, as she stepped O
in the little front entry, the sittin
90 90 room door slammed after her.
t. She found herself in the embrace Of
in stout pair of arms whiskered face
st close proximity to her own and before S
70 could think about the strangeness
her situation. she received a prolong
,e kiss-a hearty smack-full upon
be lips.