Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-05-10

"I don't care, Guardy," cried Dot,
deiantly, "I can't bear old Vonsonby,
and am confident that Mrs. Delmayne
invited him here to make love to me, so
I resolved to frustrate her kind inten-
tions. She left me to entertain him all
the evening, and was just dying to
finish Jane Eyre Well, I gave him
the last number of Scribner'8 and the
Monthly Review, and hoped he would
entertain himself but no-he wanted
me to play game of cribbage. I hate
cribbage, so / told him 1 never played
the game without stalking small sum
of money, Just to make it interesting"
ooh, DotI"
"He looked Mortified at the idea of
gambling, and asked for some music, so
I sat down to the piano and made as
much noise as possible, He said that
sort of music was very edifying, but it
made his head ache, and, he inquired if
1 could favor him with Annie Laurie.
I complied by playing Yankee Doodle
with variations, for knew he could not
distinguish the difference. Just as I
was playing the last bar 1 was startled
by prolonged snore-he had actually
gone to sleep with his head hanging
over the chair, his wig awry, and his
mouth wide open | Now, Guardy, you
must admit that was too much for flesh
and blood to endure, and don't profess
to be saint"
"Not by any MEANS" assented her
guardian.
"Well," continued Dot, ga happy
thought struck me. 1 ran softly up
stairs and got an old red wig that Dick
used to wear when he belonged to the
Amateur Dramatic Club. Then I care
fully removed Mr.. Vonsonby's nicely
dressed black wig, and substituted the
red one. 1 had to stuff my handkerchief
into my mouth to keep from laughing
you can't imagine how comical he
looked
"Well, waited for him to finish his
nap until my patience was exhausted,
and then 1 went to the piano and gave
an awful thump with both hands. He
gave sudden start and Strengthened up.
I gravely inquired how he liked the
piece.
Charming | charming p he replied,
with enthusiasm. "I always admired
Annie Laurie"
Just at that moment he happened to
glance at the clock and finding it later
than he expected he jumped up in great
haste.
"I declare 7 he said, Il had no idea
it was SO late; how swiftly the time has
passed in your fascinating society; but
1 must tear myself away, for have an
engagement at eight O'clock
"Then he bade me adieu, pulled on
his overcoat in great hurry, seized his
hat and rushed down the street.
"But, Guardy, he did look so funny
with those fierce red locks around his
countenance. and Dot broke into peals
of laughter at the recollection.
"Dot," said Mr.. Delmayne, looking
sternly at his mischievous ward; "I
don't know what to do with you; I be.
lieve must find some one who will take
the responsibility from my hands. Mrs.
Delmayne thinks you are old enough to
marry, and"
"The old cat |" interrupted Dot.
"Dot," said Mr.. Delmayne, sternly,
L cannot allow you to apply such an
epithet to my sister-in-law.
"Your sister-in-law p cried Dot, in
nocently, "why, was speaking of old
Tabby."
Mr.. Delmayne adroitly converted a
smile into yawn.
eyes," he continued. "I must GER
tainly find nice young husband for
you"
81 am perfectly willing, replied Dot,
composedly, "but who is to be the
lucky man. Let me see," she con-
tinued, refectively, "there is my French
dancing master, he pressed my hand
quite warmly the last time he was here,
and he has beautiful eyes, and such a
love of mustache," she added, enthus-
iastically.
"The jackanapes, he shall never
darken these doors again." muttered
Mr.. Delmayne, between his teeth.
"Then there is Whitney's head clerk,
I am sure he admires me-"
GA clerk" exclaimed Mr.. Delmayne,
disdainfully.
"Well," continued Dot, "there is
the German music teacher at the semi
nary, he is jolly old bear, but then, "
she added, thoughtfully, she is wild
over with five children; I don't know as
should be capable of taking that po-
sition."
81 should think not, decidedly" ac-
quiesced her guardian, with smile.
"Well," cried Dot, with despairing
expression on her saucy face, 81 don't
know what can be done-unless you
marry me yourself"
Then, suddenly realizing the enormity
of her needless speech, she darted from
the room.
"Marry her myself" mused Mr.. Rich.
ard Delmayne, sit is not bad idea.
wonder that it never entered my stupid
brain, for believe am fond OF the lit.
tie monkey after all, and how desolate
the house would be without the sunshine
of her presence.
"Not quite Nineteen" he continued
thoughtfully, 81 am just double her age
and fear lam too old to suither youth
full fancy; but nevertheless, I will try
my fate"
The tea bell reused Mr.. Delmaynt
from his reflections. I must mentor
this subject to Helen, he thought, wher
have an opportunity.
Marry that forward little chit,
cried madame, in dismay, as Richart
thus ruthlessly demolished her castle il
the air. "Why, Richard, you must b.
crazyl A man Of your years to think o
marrying, when you have comfortable
home, and q sister to attend to you
wants. If you take this step, Richard,
she continued, 81 am confident you will
regret tit. I think you will see vas
difference with that careless, ignoran
child at the head of your household, TO
1 shall not remain to be domineered owe
by saucy, independent girl"
| Mr. DelmaYna made no ranlu To thi