Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-09
MOllie's Match-Maklng.


charming picture of domestic bliss Jack Ack
erman fully appreciated, as he stepped into
the room few minutes later.
"Well, Mollie, what's the news ?"
"Oh, nothing, only supper has been wait
ing half an hour. Come, let us hurry and
eat want to talk with you"
al thought there was something on your
mind didn't know but was going to get a
lecture for being late"
You deserve one, for this is the last eve
ming | shall speak with you for two whole
weeks"
In another half hour they were back in the
parlor and Mollie began =
al think Tom is fine fellow, and there
were never two brothers more alike than you
and he."
"Thank you, my dear, honor your judg-
ment."
"And John, have the most brilliant
plan concerning him."
"Do tell " said John with movement
toward his coat pocket, where the evening
paper lay in uncut solitude.
Mollie observed the motion, and promptly
informed him that he should not read word
until she was through talking.
al am going away tomorrow, and then
you may read the paper from the time you
enter the house until midnight, with no one
to bother you," she said.
Somehow the vision of the little parlor
without Mollie's lively chatter did not seem
to strike favorably perhaps this was why
he tossed the paper TO the other side of the
room, and promised to listen. Mollie
perched herself on one arm of his chair, and
started
"You know my sister Amy is coming
home with me for a long visit, and don't you
think it would be splendid if she and Tom
would fall in love with each other They
could get married, and set up housekeeping
in cottage like this one across the street
it would make me so happy y
John laughed long and heartily.
Matchmaking by jove !" he said at last.
Miserable, yourself, and want everybody
else to be- is that it Mollie 2"
"Don't laugh, john for am in earnest.
know they will like each other, and have
set my heart on the match just think how
nice it would be to have Amy here, and Tom
is such darlingl"
al tell you what it is, Mollie you don't
want me to say word of this to Tom or
Amy, or they will take a dislike to each
other"
81 know it," replied Mollie. "When |
told Tom / was going to visit Aunt Hetty,
| did not mention Amy's name and | don't
think he knows Of her existence; as for Amy,
have been with her so little since was
married, that am sure never spoke to her
of Tom"
"Well, see that you don't do so now; you
couldn't mention his name without praising
him to the skies, and she would see through
your plans at once"
Mollie departed next morning, leaving di-
rartinpa apnnuh m Distract III ha "a
membered half of them.
"Don't have Tom at the house when we
return. Amy will be tired with her jour
ney, and / want her TO have a chance TO
beautify little before she meets him."
When she reached the depot, Mollie's
courage began to fail
al am almost sorry to go, John," she said.
Suppose something should happen to you
while | am away ?"
"Nonsense, darling Go and have good
time, and be sure to come back in two weeks
and bring Amy with you"
Molles heart was so thoroughly in her
pet plan that she found it very hard to re-
frain from all mention of her adorable
brother-in-law during the two weeks that
followed; once she did refer to the cozy
party of four which they would make, and
then was obliged to turn it off on Jenny
the little maid-of-all-work, as making the
fourth
The day before Molie was to return, Aunt
Hetty fell i'll. Amy was obliged to post
pone her visit for a few days at least.
Mollie could go on as she had intended, and
she would follow as soon as Aunt Hetty
could spare her.
"Amy will certainly come up next week,
she assured John "but | could not wait
another day."
1t was so pleasant to be at home once
more, and mistress of all she surveyed a
note from Amy saying she would come on
the following Saturday set her mind com
pletely at rest. She was really sorry to hear
John say one morning.
81 think we had better take that run
down TO Camden's to-day. We must go
sometime this month, and of course you
won't want to go after your sister comes"
John, you know we cannot stay away
all night | gave Jenny leave of absence
until Friday, and it won't do to let the house
alone"
"Pll get Tom to come and sleep here"
"There are three keys" said she, as they
left the house. "You can give one TO Tom,
and | will leave one with Mrs. Gates next
door, The house might get on fire and then
il would be better to have key handy, 80
they could get in the house and bring out
the things"
"Yes,' said John sarcasticallyi cor |
might hire squad of policemen 10 watch
the house day and night"
About eleven o'clock that evening Miss
Amy Arden alighted from an express and
looked about the depot as il expecting some
ons.
"They could not have received my second
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