The Portland daily press., 1878-11-09

Will you try one, sir?" protfering the case.
The two gentlemen adjourned to the piazza,
and while Fear seated herself at the piano,
Mrs. Glazier Sand her visitor fall into con-
fidential conversation under cover of the
music, as elderly ladies frequently do. Fear
heard her fathers hearty laugh sounding out
from the piazza, and turning around on the
piano stool, just then, saw her mother with
queer repressed kind of smile on her face, and
thought what very entertaining people their
new neighbors were.
'About my husband, papa" she said, as
Mr.. Haven and his host re-entered the parlor,
''may try to identify him?''
''Oh, yes, but mind you don't get confden-
tal with any of your young friends or we
shall have all the girls in the country trying
like experiments"
In her next letter Fear expressed her will
ingness to do her best to discover whether the
aforesaid 81. j." was the name intended for
her from the beginning of the world, and
epistles in which all the creations of books,
authors and art were discussed few between
the nations capital and the Vermont village
with its French name and Yankee inhabi-
tants. All personalities were studiously shun-
ned on both sides, while in reality the two
correspondents became better acquainted
with each others dispositions and tastes than
they would have been after years conven-
tional acquaintance.
Late in August 81. j." announced in one
of his letters his determination to fly the dust
and heat of Washington, and indulge in
journey North; he had friends in Vermont,
and after spending few days with them,
should it be agreeable to Miss Glazer, be
would visit Rutland. She could then decide
better whether he was in reality her husband
or not. 81. j." for his part, had not doubt
that his fair correspondent was his long
| sought for wife!
81 shall not see him." said Fear, very de-
| cidedly, as the two families sat in council over
this last letter, few evenings after its recep-
tion. "He must be on his way North now,
and don't know how it can be managed, but
positively shall not see him. To think of
bis coming on uninvited! I am thankful
enough did not have my letters mailed in
Montpelier. Mr.. Haven, you are lawyer
and my friend; excuse me for reminding you
that you were the instigator of this affair;
consequently, my wits having deserted me,
you will have to undertake my case"
"All right" responded that gentleman
| with much animation; "come over to tea
tomorrow, all of you, and we will talk It
over. You won't have the pleasure of writ
| ing to j. j. for some time at least for I
think, myself, he has left Washington by this
| time"
'.Perhaps he will set the police on my
track at The Rutland post Office" sighed
Fear. ''Dear me, am fairly quaking with
| terror. l am sure my complexion has turned
green;" and she skipped across the room to
the mirror.
81 will arrange all that with the postmas-
ter, who is friend of mine," said her father
with reassuring tones. So Fear became less
perturbed and her natural buoyancy of spirits
returned.
Late the next afternoon, as they were all
on Mr.. Haven's piazza awaiting the sum-
1 fO of fI,a
| gate and young man, along up in the twen-
ties. with a decided and distingue look briskly
stepped out, to whom Mrs. Haven few, and
| embracing, addressed as "Dear Johp.' She
Immediately introduced him to her guests,
"My brother, Mr.. Jacobs"
SLOW green," said Fear in an aside to her
mother, "another j. j. Jumping Jacks
| are more common than had supposed. I
wonder is his chirography like copper
plate?"
"He is very good looking and gentiemanly
In his bearing, at all events" replied her
mother. 'Now. my daughter, do try and
behave yourself in becoming manner and
not oblige me to check you in the presence
of this stranger"
| Jacobs, having shaken off the dust of travel,
was coming down stairs. He sauntered
across the piazza, and down the steps and
bent over flower bed, saying to his sister,
"Your pets are as fourishing as ever. I
have kept one poor little pansy in pot in
my window in memory of home and of you;"
then looking up at Fear: "You should wear
flowers in your hair; maidens ought never to
wear other ornaments, Miss, Miss, beg
your pardon, but failed to catch your
| name."
What's in name," quoted Mr.. Haven,
almost rudely, as Fear thought, while he
neglected to enlighten the stranger. Her
father and mother, too, increased the embar-
rassment by their silence. To make a diver
sion, Fear pulled the elaborate shell comb
out OF her luxurious coil, saying, "Select a
spray OF camphor geranium," bending grace
fully for him to adjust it. Something pure
and spotless like myself-only-" smiling
archly, sit is you who should have said it,"
"Sh-shV came warningly from Mrs. Gla-
zler, picking up the comb that ther daughter
had carelessly tossed into a lawn chair, and
placing it in one of the pockets of her work
basket.
"Mother is always comparing me to Yeast,
Mr.. Jacobs" continued the vivacious girl.
Il ehervesce unconsciously, and / doubt not
snoaid run over, were not constantly
stlrred down. Mothers method of per-
to you"
"Sh-sh," softly hissed Mrs. Glazier, with
| Ine usual e1ect, for the lrrepressible young
lady run on: 81 didn't know you had BROTH
Jacobs?
"Oh, he hasn't been living anywhere, nv
dear, ne has only been existing and staying
the past few years. He has Just begun to
live now-within the last hour. Come in, all
OF you, and see what have to offer YOU in
the way of refreshments.''
Fear caught the flash of the knowing
gances that passed between her host and
hostess and her parents, wondering at first if
tney were all demented, and then thinking
that she had never seen any of them SO stu.
pld. She took her place at the table and be-
gan to dish out the blackberries as her host.
ess had requested her to do, in unwonted si.
lence.
| II remembered your fondness for black
berries, John," remarked Mrs. Haven, while
passing the tea,, $50 begged my neighbor here
to sene across the street to her own store
room Tor them, wishing your first impression
OF our table resources to be favorable.''
"And 1 beg" put in Fear helping her
father to the plump, cool berries, "t6at as
tne delicate flavor of the fruit tickles YOUR
palates you will remembera that they
were picked by these fair fingers" lifting
up 6er hands in mock sentimental manner.
"Sh-sh," came from between Mrs GIaz;ar,s
teeth.
The young gentleman bowed, smiled and
glanced at this fair table companion with an
expectant look, evidently very much amused,
and wondering when and how she would
bubble over next. He had not long to wait.
| II am disappointed" Fear went on, 81 ex.
pected to be complimented, at least that you
would consider it such an effort for an ethe-
real young creature like myself to pick ber-
ries, and high blackberries at that, that you
would refuse to accept the sacrifice of nv
vital forces, wounded fingers and torn gar
ments, and not touch the fruit, however
tempting it might look"
| But the obdurate young man went on eat
| ing his berries and cream, contemplating
with an evident lively satisfaction the pic
ture of youth and health opposite him, and
as he had just finished helping himself cody
handed over the small cutglass plate to be
| refed.
81 see you have passed the age of senti-
ment. Well, for that matter, so have /, and
on that score, at least, we can sympathize."
"How old do you consider each other to
be % exclaimed Mr.. Haven, sezing the point