Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-02-10


The bait, and was slowly choking on the
hook he had swallowed.
He was gone the livelong day. When
be turned homeward the trees had ceas-
ed to cast shadows, and the purple twi-
light spread over all the pleasant land.
A he approached the farmhouse he
discovered signs of commotion, and
there were several trunks turned on end
on the low-browed piazza. Instead of
entering the house he went around it,
intending to seek information in the
kitchen, but he found the solution ere
he reached it. In passing the dining
room, the SAVIOR of stewed chickens and
the clatter of dishes came out through
the open windows. He approached one
and looked in; the bright lights within
intensifylng the late twilight without,
left him unseen.
They were seated at table. Amy and
Carol had arrived, and were giving a
brilliant recital of their summers dissi-
patton. The good farmer and his wife
were listening with wide mouthed admi-
ration while Mrs. Lawrence was quite
neglecting her well-filled plate in her
blissful enjoyment. She was dressed
with unusual care and elegance. Her
gray hair was arranged in stately
pompadour, her gold eyeglasses set on
the bridge of her aristocratic nose to
assist the keen, blue eyes, instead of, as
usual, dangling from the chain at her
throat; while her delicate, jeweled
hands were toying with the plebeian
bone handles of her knife and fork.
Thorndyke and Cora were not there.
perhaps they were out for a stroll" +"
He turned away with sneer; left his
string of fish at the kitchen-door, and
retracing his steps to the front of the
house, entered, intending to 90 to his
room.
In the large square hall he met Cora.
She held lamp in her hand, and
was just fresh from the toilet. She
looked radiant. There was a bright
flush on her cheeks, and her dark
eyes were lustrous with excitement. She
wore knot of rosebuds in her hair and
another on her bosom, which gave char
acter to the pale feecy fabric of her
graceful dress.
They had met right at the foot of the
stairs. she standing step above him,
thus blocking the package. He looked
weary and spent.
"Oh, Neil :! the girls are here tfheir
party accompanied them, and are at the
hotel. We shall have gay times. And
what do you think they are both en-
gagged !'
He did not even look interested. She
kept on, excited:
"You should see aunt Louisel She
has utterly forgotten Thorndyke. and is
in state of such complete bliss, that if
she should be told that her translation
chariot was at the door, she would not
have the slightest desire to occupy it"
He smiled dismal, cynical smile.
"Why, Neil, you don't seem to care a
bitl' she said, wonderingly.
He did not contradict he.
81 won't trouble you with any more
news, shortly, then added: "You
gave the man fine chase through the
meadow after the cattle. Why didn't
you put the bars up? l had half mind
to tell you"
"Why didn't you ?"-Indiferently.
because you were such bear this
morning, l thought if | did it would
not be safe to meet you" Then, with
her abrupt way of changing a subject
she asked, "What kept you away all
day? Where did you get your dinner?'
He had his choice between the two
questions he preferred the latter.
81 haven't had any,"
"Poor fellow, you are hungry anc
tired, no wonder you are cross. If yor
will let me down l will stop blocking
your way"
But he made no effort to let her pas
only stood looking up at her with hi
weary, unhappy face. Suddenly sb'
put one hand on his shoulder, willis
with the other she held the lamp direct
ly to his face, and looked at him curl
ously.
''Neil, for the last few months l hav
hardly known you. We used to be
sort of Pylades and Orestes, or Dayit
and Johnathan; now you never say
friendly word"
He was restless under the scrutiny
there was sudden fash of color in hi
dark cheeks, but with an effort he gain
ed his self-control and retorted:
Better be nettle in the side of you
friend than his echo"
81 wish you would stop quoting En-
erson you know detest him p sh
began in a vexed tone, then her moo
changing, added, coaxingly: "Thorn
may do for lovers, but not for friends
Come, Neil, let's be good p
He stopped suddenly, and kissed tn