Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-05-26

" Yes, my dear" looking absenty at her.
:" Do you think he'll stay to dinner 2"
al shall invite him, my dear, most as
suredly."
Lisbeths countenance fell. "But, papa"
faltered she, "there's nothing but barley
soup"
"We will serve it with the good old
fashioned sauce of welcome, my DEAR" said
the Reverend Mr.. Fem, with a grave, sweet
smile, "and doubt not it will Suffice"
Lisbeth flounced out of the room with
heightened color and quick, impatient breath.
" Papa's an angel" said she to herself, "but
angels never were adapted TO get along in
this work-aday world" She put her golden
head into the parlor door for an instant.
" Papa is very busy with his Thirdly"
said she, with roguish twinkle in the deep
hazel eyes, "and he begs you'll be good
enough to wait until he's through"
The stranger bowed and looked more en-
barrassed than ever, as he answered "Oh,
certainly, certainly. am in no haste what
ever"
And Lisbeth went back to her sister.
"Polly," said she, "what shall we do?
Company to dinner, and nothing to give
them"
"But we must have something" said
Polly. "Put on your things, Lisbeth. Go
Out anu buy a iOWl3 duu qudfb OF POTATOES
and loaf Of bread. And stop at Mr.. Da-
kin's for an ounce of his best tea and quar-
ter of pound Of butter"
"Oh, you reckless Polly /" said she I" and
where are all your funds to come from p
Polly sighed softly. al shall have to take
the dried-cherry money" said she, "that
was saving up for my fall hat and gloves.
But it isn't much matter. | dare say | can
manage very well with the old ones for
little while longer"
ats a shame" cried Lisbeth vehe-
mently. "And to think how you toiled all
those hot summer days to pick and dry those
black ox-hearts."
"There's no help for it, DEAR said Polly,
gently. Get your hat on quick"
"But it isn't fair" protested Lisbeth.
Why should all the travelling preachers and
book agents and mission collectors come here
and eat us out of house and home Why
don't they go to Mr.. Crocus ?"
Polly smiled. "Because Mr.. Crocus doesn't
make them welcome, and papa does"
al do WONDER" cried Lisbeth, impetu-
ously, "If there is any other race of men
imposed upon as country ministers are Z
Mark my words, Polly, never, never, will
marry "a"
But by this time Polly had tied on her
sisters straw fiat, and twisted muslin scarf
across her shoulders.
ado make haste, DEAR" said she, in ac-
cents of gentle entreaty, as she pointed to
the clock.
Scarcely fifteen minutes had elapsed when
Lisbeth came flying back, with yellow tresses
streaming behind, and market-basket in her
hand. "There, Polly" cried she, in the
clear light voice of girlhood, as she depos-
| tied plump chicken on the table, "there's
your new hat and there" as she laid down
| packet of groceries, " are your gloves; and
here" rattling out the potatoes, " is my last
chance for new blue neck-tie And do
hope Polly, that they'll give the missionary
the worst kind of dyspepsia"
"Lisbeth p
"Well, but l do" saucily retorted the girl
as she turned to put away her hat. "And-
Oh, Potlyl"
Polly turned around with start, at the
changed tenor of her sisters voice.
"What is it, Lisbeth You're not i'll ?"
Lisbeth, with glowing face, pointed to
extending through from parlor to kitchen,
in buffers pantry fashion, was used as
general repository for books and papers.
And then, for the first time, Polly perceived
that both doors were slightly ajar.
"Polly," muttered the girl, hoarsely, :" he
has heard every word He couldn't help
it," And Hinging her hat in one direction,
and her scarf in another, Lisbeth fled up
the narrow wooden stairs to her own room,
and threw herself, sobbing Historically, upon
the bed.
ats my tongue" sobbed Lisbeth, "my
wretched, chattering tongue. Papa always
warned me against giving loose to it; Polly
always told me it would get me into trouble.
Oh, dear, dear, what must he think how
can | ever look him in the face p And
with this doleful resume, Lisbeth buried her
! hot face in the pillows, and cried harder
, than ever.
1t seemed an age to her, but it was in re-
J ality little more than half an hour, before
) Polly came futtering up the stairs, like a
, sweet-browed guardian angel.
7 "Lisbeth" said she, darling, don't fret
t you meant no harm. Get up and braid
3 your hair, and come down stairs. Dinner
will be on the table directly, and papa is
4 asking for YOU"
r Lisbeth sat up and pushed the damp
a fringe of yellow hair out Of her eyes. 81
S shall not come down, Polly"
But you must, dear papa would be very
e much vexed."
"Never !" cried Lsbeth, with fresh burst
of tears "neverl"
But the country parson himself presently
t came to the rescue, with mild eyes and 9
9 firm, gentle voice.
!. "No member of my family must be lack
(; ing in courtesy to guest" said he, taking
Lisbeth gently by the hand; and the pool
child was led shamefully into the kitchen
i where the table was spread, and Polly stood
8 smiling at its head.
n "Mr. Vincent" said the parson to the tai
stranger, " this is my youngest child"
}. al am the black sheep of the family" sale
3 Lisbeth, hanging her head, and I'm very
n sorry, sir, and beg your pardon"
"Pray don't mention it," said Mr.. Vim
t cent in genuine distress at the sight of thu
II modification of this yellow-haired lassie.
y When dinner was over, and the countr,
o parson had taken his guest into the study
! Polly put her arm around Lisbeth's waist, anC
b drew her out under the morning-glory vines
"Lisbeth," said she, "Ive got good new
. for you"
,, "Nothing can be good news any more,
said Lisbeth with fresh burst of tears.
d "Oh, but listen,' soothed Polly. "D,
! you know who this Mr. Vincent is 2"
n A-missionary, suppose" And poo
Lisbeth spoke the word as If it was dos
l. of quinine.
6 "No, dear, he's the bishops secretary
a And he has heard OF papa's learning anC
n zeal and talent, and he has come to offel
'l him parish near New York, with twelve
hundred dollars-only think of it, Lisbeth
d with twelve hundred dollars year, anC
It an assistant. We shall be rich, darling, anC
\ dear, dear papa will have little rest ant
ease in his old age
!, at can't be true" said Lisbeth, vaguely
o "But it is," cried Polly and then th'
b two sisters began to cry and sob, with happ.
IS incoherence in each others arms.
F" ais it possible" cried Polly Fem, !" tina
J. it is a whole year since We came to Morehan
Rectory?"
e 1t was year. Once more the wild grape
d were scenting all the woods, once more tn
II golden-rod held up its torches Of fame alonI
It the course of babbling brooks, and Poll.
e shaded her eyes with one hand, as she stoo'
/ in the doorway and watched Lisbeth conn
8 lightly along the garden path, with thu
d yellow sunshine tangled in her hair, and al
unwonted moisture in her deep eyes.
r "What have you done with Mr.. Vincent 2
d asked Polly, demurely.
8 "He is walking down by the falls witt
S papa" said Lisbeth, coming up to her sis
ter's side, and slipping one arm through
d Polly's. "And, Polly"
"Well, dearest :"
"I-I have something to tell you"
a oCouldnit | ouass IL 2n said pollv lauph