Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-07-14

By the time he had done this it was
three o'clock, and with light heart he
hung up his well-worn office-coat, gave
his hat an extra polish, and then started
off to a certain tree in the Regents
Park, where he found Bessie Moyse al
ready awaiting him.
After some indescribable proceeding
on the part of Tom, which caused Bessie
to exclaim; "Well, / never, sir And
with so many people looking, too '' they
joined arm and arm. and proceeded to
hear the band in Geological Gar
dens.
The main topic of conversation, not
unnaturally, was Mr. Morpeth's adver-,
tisement; and the young people amused
themselves by discussing alphabetically
what use they would make of the reward
supposing that they were lucky enough
to find the missing deed. Various places
were suggested but it was finally de-
cided that Bessie should set up tobac-
conist's and stationary business in aid of
Toms legal studies.
After somewhat heightened stroll, the
young couple made their way back to
Chancery-lane Tom purchasing pint
of shrimps on his way as contribution
to Mrs. Moyse's refreshment arrange
ments. They found the table spread,
pot of homemade jam and plate of
watercresses shedding lustre on the fes-
tive board the kettle boiling on the
hob and Mrs. Moyse bustling obout in
the final preparations of tea making.
Uncle Keckwidge sat in his accustomed
place by the fire.
On Mrs. Mosye's first taking poses
sion, some years before, of the house
keepers apartments in Bedford row, un-
Gle Keckwidge had never looked with a
very favorable eye on Tom Halliday, and
had occasionly caused Bessie considera-
BILE embarrassment by uttering aloud
private reflections to his prejudice. On
the present occasion the first greetings
were scarcely over, when uncle keck-
widge, who had been cycling Tom over
in critical manner, remarked to him
self, but quite audibly The idea of a
girl like our Bess takin' up with such a
pair O. trousers as that Lor, ] believe
the women will have anything nova.
days." remark which caused Tom,
though not naturally bashful, to tuck his
legs hastily under his chair, and Bessie
to look very hot and uncomfortable Mrs
Moyse making as much clatter as possi-
BILE with the teacups, and endeavoring
to make believe that nobody heard the
observation; while uncle Keckwidge
continued to MUNICH his bread and but
ter, in profound Inconsistencies of hav-
ing said anything at all offensive.
"You mustn't take any notice of un-
Gle, Tom." whispered Bessie. "You
know what he is. It's only his fun.
He's always taking one off"
HE needn't take off my trousers.
though" said Tom; and then. finding
that he had quite unintentionally)
made a kind of joke, he tried hard to
look as if he had said it on purpose.
"7Homasi" :" said Bessie, pretending
to be dreadfully shocked. Thomas |
am ashamed of you 1t would serve
you right not to let you have any
shrimps.''
Forgive me this once" said Tom
"I'll never do so any more"
By way of changing the subject, Tom
then began to tell Mrs. Moyse how the
great case of Davis VS. Morpeth was ex-
pected to come off on Wednesday week.
and how the most important title deed
was missing, and Mr.. Morpeth had Of
fered reward of five hundred pounds
to any one who would restore it.
Uncle Keckwidge frightened up sud.
denly at the word reward"
81 know" he said, nodding his head
sagely. 81 see the bill myself. at the
bakers round the corner. A terrier-doe
with one eye, answers to the name oi
Bob. Ten shillin' reward"
mo, no, uncle" said Bessie ''that'.
no. the reward we were talking about
Tom was telling us about paper tha
was lost, and the gentleman offers heal
of money to get it back again. Five
hundred golden pounds !! Only think O
that"
Tom was beginning to get angry, bu
Bessie pacifed him by squeezing hi
hand under the table, and whispering
Never mind. DEAR" replied Bessie
1--WE don't take any notice of what h,
says, and you mustn't either Have /;
little of mothers home made raspberr,
jam, and think no more about it. Thi
is the first pot of last years making
brought out expressly in honor o
you"
} THANK you. ma'am, since you're s
t pressing. don't mind if / do" sal,
Tom. and he proceeded to help himself
f But scarcely had he taken the frs
e mouthful. when he suddenly grew pale
q his lower jaw dropped. and he remaine'