Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-26

said she. "And II you think I could sup
port myself So"
al am sure of i'll" cried the cheerful
Grace. "And I'll go there with you this
very day to look at the place, and will en-
gage 1t for three months on trial. And
can paint you sign TO put over the door.
Home Made Bread by Mrs. Deborah May
And III hem you some curtains and arrange
the shelves in the low window / almost
wish was going to be your shopgirl," she
added, merrily, a. but can help you even
ings, you know"
Grace Craxall's prophecies proved correct.
Aunt Debby's delicious homemade bread,
whittier than any powdered lilies, sweet as
ambrosia, soon acquired reputation, and
the old lady could scarcely bake IL fast
enough. People came half dozen blocks
to buy the yellow pumpkin pies and de-
licious apple tarts children brought their
boarded pennies to invest in chocolate
sweetmeats, vanilla caramels, and cream
cakes with puffy shells and delicious centers
Of sweetness. The little money drawer
grew fat with coins-and Aunt Debby's
dim eyes grew bright and hopeful again.
And one day Mr.. Herbert Valance, walk
ing by with Medora May, stopped and
looked in.
Isn't that your cousin Grace" said he,
"behind that counter 2"
Medora turned crimson with vexation.
"My cousin Grace 2" she cried. "No, in
deed We are not-in trade"
What possessed her TO utter this deliber-
ate falsehood, Medora could not have after
ward told. Partly the sting of false shame,
partly disinclination for Mr.. Herbert Val
ance to know that all her relations were not,
to use her own expression, "ladies and gen
tlemen."
Mr.. Valance looked up at the sign over
the door.
"The name is May" he said indifferently.
EYES," said Medors May, angry at her.
self for blushing so deeply, "but we are no
relation"
Mr.. Valance thought over the matter
afterward he met Miss May at an evening
party given by friend, where pretty Grace
Craxall was also present. He had taken
rather fancy to the bright blue eyes and
delicate blond beauty of the former. Val
ance Hall, on the hill just out of the city,
was solitary enough, now that his sisters had
all married and gone away and perhaps a
man might find less attractive and grace.
full wife than Medora May. But he could
not be mistaken, he thought, in Grace Crax.
all's identity.
And so the next evening at about the same
time he sauntered into the shop.
Grace was behind the dainty, clean little
counter, taking some newly-baked maple
caramels off the pans She looked up with
a smile.
"Good evening Mr.. Valance" said she.
{" So," he thought, " | wasn't mistaken
after all, and the little blueeyed seraph is
mortal enough to tell lie, in spite of hel
angelic appearance
But he looked serenely at Grace.
al did not know that you were in the
trade" said he.
"Didn't you2 WE'LL" merely retorted
Grace, " am my Aunt Deborah's shop gir
just at present always come here in tht
evenings to help her. Because" she added
| with sweet shade of seriousness coming
over her face, "Aunt Debby was old ant
poor-and she didn't quite know how tt
maintain herself in independence. Ant
unfortunately my wages at the factory ART
not enough for us both. So | advised he
to open this business. And she did. Ant
she's doing very well. Aud she bakes the
most delicious bread and pies you ever ate
so," with saucy twinkle under her eye
lashes, "if you know any customers, yor
will recommend our firm ?"
"To be sure shall" he answered, in tn,
same spirit. "And l am very glad, Mis-
| Craxall, to see that you are not ashamed O
being working girl"
''Of course l am not, said Grace "wh,
should be :"
| But your cousin Medora is"
Grace gave little shrug of her shoulders
| Every likely" said she, d" Medora and
differ in many things"
| Mr.. Vance bought a pound of caramel
and went away.
"She is beauty" he said to himself
"and she is sensible beauty into the bar
gain. One of those rare dUes in our coun
try, thoroughly well-balanced girl"
He must have been very well pleased will
his purchase, for he came again the mex
evening Just in time to walk home will
Grace Craxall, and they talked over Aun
| Deborah's affairs, and concluded that a
-four was low just then it would be favor
able opportunity for the old lady to lay il
her winters stock through Mr.. Valance
who was acquainted with one of the grea
New York grain merchants.
| Only few weeks had elapsed when Me
dora May was electrified with amazement Il
learn that her cousin Grace was engaged.
"To some master baker or journeymar
confectioner, suppose" said she contempt
uously.
"No," said Grace, with eyes roguishl,
sparkling, "To Mr.. Herbert Valance"
"I-don't-believei it," said Medora, grow
ing red, then pale.
"But it is really So" said Grace. "Ant
we are to be married in three months. Ant
Aunt Debby is to come to the Hall ant
live with me as soon as she can dispose o
her business to advantage. And dear Me
dora, l hope you will come often and visi
me there"
Medora May did not answer. She coul'
not. But in her secret heart she recognized
how infinitely more successful in life's lis
had been Grace's true, frank honesty, thai
her own subtle and devious course.
Like many another, however, the lessor
had come to her too late.-Selecied.