St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-06-03

''At two, If as convenient"
"Certainly. Two, if preferable"
Then he held the door open as cour-
teously as though she wore sealskiI
and diamonds, while with quiet grac,
she bowed slightly and passed from
the room.
And Clifford Chandos went slowly
back to his chair, and actually fOI
once i'll his life forgot to relight his
cigar.
The day came at last when, from the
stutfy city house, the Rayners moved
to the pretty, rOOmy, RATED cottage,
where honeysuckle and wild roses
struggled at their own sweet will ovcl
roof and porch.
And Viva, coming home from the
dusty city three evenings in the week,
pale and tired, frightened and laughed
her own low, happy laugh at the sight
OF her mothers tace-grown young
agaln-at the window, at the sound of
Dick and Jessie's boisterous laughter.
1t was curious all the repairing that
cottage needed after they moved i'll. 1t
was more curious that their quiet
handsome landlord should insist on SUI
pervising it all himself.
He grew into their simple lives III
those days. Mrs. Rayner came to think
the CHEEKY voice better than any medi-
cine, the children to shout Justify at
sight of him, and Viva to listen for the
sound of his firm foOtStep on the gar
den path.
One evening, when the soft May
wind was swaying the Gladly fingers" )" as
the children call them, over the door,
Viva snatched up her hat and strOlled
down to the pretty rustic gate.
just little more tired than usual
after desperate struggle to teach an
lrritably Obtuse pupil the mysteries of
crotchets and quavers and demi-semi-
quavers.
She stood there, fair, girlish figure
in her soft white dress, Il great bunch
of blue meadow violets ut her slender
throat and waist. The scented wind
gently l6osened the dark brown hair
and blew fitful drift of rose bloom
into the pure, pale face.
Very pretty?
Well, Clifford Chandos thought so,
mt all events, as he came along the un-
even country road with his light, firm
football.
Good evening, Miss Rayncrw
She turned suddenly, the faint flush
deepening to carnation.
Good evening, Mr.. Chandosm
| think IL person can give one Il very
tolerable shake hands without holding
ones fingers quite minute. But
apparently Mr.. Chandos thought diff
ferently.
''Miss Rayner, will you come for il
walll-.iust Il little way down the road
There is another place there should
like to have you see"
He asked pleadingly, hurriedly, as
though fearful of refusal.
''Is it far P'
NO" earnestly ''quite near. Be
sides, Miss Viva, | have something To
tell you-or, rather, ask you"
They We're already strolling slowly
on. She paused and looked up i'll
vague alarm.
'"TO ask me, Mr.. ChandOs ?"
eyes, Viva, want to ask you to leave
Rose cottage"
Was he mad
"To leave Rose cottage ~ she re-
peated, blankly.
She stopped short, and looked up at
him with brown, bcwildcred eyes.
''Arc you not satisfied with us as
tenants What will mamma say -
Il did not ask your mother to leave
Rose cottage his voice was trcm-
bling and lOw-'I asked you -
"Me? Why, Mr.. Chandos -
Shn hrnl-n off nj, .,ln aN,
the look in the eyes of the man regard
more successful wOOerS in the world to
day-a look of passionate love and
rcsolute determination to have her in
spite of herself
''Viva, my darling darling y
he cried, all the mischief in his voice
swept away in his fiery earnestness,
''won't you understand | love you
very dearly, Viva, and want you for
my wife ~
eyes, understand" she said, simply.
II am not rich man, dear, but
would give my life to make you happy
She looked up at him with bright,
outshining eyes, and though her cheeks
famed hotly, she said, in her gentle,
straightforward, girlish way
Il would he hOnOrcd to he your wife
were you penniless, Mr.. Chandos -
"Mr. Chandos - sternly. Little
wife, say Clifford y"
And, her hand in his, she said it,
simply:
Clifford -
In short time they paused before a
massive entrance gate and pretty goth
ic lodge.
This is the great place of the neigh
bOrhood, Viva. Shall we go up and
look ut it ?'
They paused at the great stone steps
of an ideal country seat, stretching,
vcrandahcd, pOrticoed, with huge stone
lions on guard at the door.
Come in, dear ~ holding out his
hand, with curious smile.
"But the Owner?"
~ go with his permission"
Then, passing the servant at the door,
he led her through rooms where the
mighty touch of Midas was softened
and made perfect by the mightier touch
of taste. Through a conservatory
where birds and flowers were drowsily
falling asleep, and marble statues
CLEANED palely forth from tropical.
dusky hooks.
Its handsome place, dear, isn't
it ?" he asked, when once again they
stood meath the darkening sky.
Handsome Oh, Clifford ~ with
an ecstatic, long drawn breath.
81 hardly know how much rent
ought to charge You, little wOman,r he
cried, quizzically, drawing her closer
to him I; ''but I'll be moderate Sup
pose we say-one thousand kisses pei
annum -
"YOurs ~ she gasped. ''You said
yOu were not rich"