The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-10-29
"oh. dean Y cried she, "I thoughl

yon were the new rcctorl" 7I.
Tie stranger laughed.
"Do look go very clericalP" said he.
Then you are the agents son from
Canadar' said she. "Oh, dearl oh,
dear And I've been calling your
father n crab, and all sorts of names.
Oh, dear l beg your pardon. I an,
sure, but all the same be is crabp
Pray don't distress yourself"
tion Mt all to MIR Essemont's agent"
The Widow Winton frightened I'D
'tle at this.
81 am thankful for that" said she
And now, if you will help me with
the grapes, we can get them all gathered
before the agent comes this way on his
afternoon walk. Can you climbP"
II should rather think l could,n
promptly answered the gentleman.
The widow clapped her plump little
hands in delight, rs the huge punches
rained down into her apron.
There" cried she, that's enough"
Are you quite suref"
"Oh, quite" said the widow" for
jelly. and marmalade, and to send lot
to town to buy my new bonnet strings.n
The stranger sprang lightly to the
ground, from the boughs OF stately
beech tree.
'Then it's all right" said lie. "And
we've outgeneraled Mr.. Esselmont and
his cross old agent, after all"
Haven't wep" said the Widow
Winton, with her black eyes all dancing
with mischief. And now, if you'll
come home with me, I'll give you cup
of real French chocolate, and a slice oil
sponge cake"
shall be very happy to carry your
basket for you," said the stranger, cour-
tcously.
There he is now," said the widow,
recoiling little. as they neared the tiny
cottage, with its dropping caves and
pillared veranda.
"WhoP" said the gentleman.
The agent" said the Widow VIM
ton.
" He can't hurt u.s." said the stranger.
And he walked boldly into the very
presence of Mr.. Sandy Macpherson.
with the basket of plundered grapes on
his arm; while the widow followed,
much marveling at his valor.
But. instead of bursting out into
invective, the agent sprang to his feet,
and began bowling and scraping most
obsequiously.
Really, sir-really, Mr.. Esselmont," 1"
said he, "thisis a pleasure that didn't
expect"
Mr.-E5selmonti cried out the
widow.
81 beg thousand pardons for not
disclosing my identity beforel" said the
handsome "Incognito." "But you've
no idea how | have enjoyed this mas
querade. Will you allow me TO in
troduce myself formally at lastP"
The Widow Winton turned crimson
and pale.
But I've been stealing your grapes
said she.
Every fruit and flower on the Essel-
mont estates is at your SERVICE" said
the young heir, with bow and a
smile.
But when he went away, Miss
Charity took her younger sister formally
to task.
Fanny" said she. "aren't you
ashamed?"
"Not bit," said Fanny, valiantly.
Stealing fruit like u schoolboy, and
romping like II child" demonstrated
Charity.
"If Mr.. Esselmont don't mind it,
said the widow, "why should Ip And
we're going to the haunted springs to-
morrow, and shall show him the rocky
glen: Oh. ! can tell you, Charity, it's
great fun"
But, rs time crept on, Miss Charity
Hall grew more uneasy still.
" Fanny" said she. "you must leave
off flirting with Guy Esselmont!"
"Whyp" said the widow.
Because you are poor and he Is rich
and people are beginning to talk"
LET 'em talk" said Fanny. "We
are to be married next month, and then
we can set the whole world at defiance
and, Charity" hiding her face on the
elder sisters shoulder.
"WellP"
:" He say he fell in love with me that
day he caught me stealing his grapesr
4" Humphw said Miss Charity
"Well. you've stolen his heart, SO ]
don't see but that you're quits"