Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-01-30

eaten good share of it afterward,
escorted to the table like one of those
languishing city ladies, who screamed
at the sight of cow, and didn't
know corn from asparagus, except
when it was cooked What would
father and mother and Bob say to
that? Controlling her mirth as well
as she was able, she signified her as
sent and when Miss Irwin sailed |
into the dining-room it was to find
the elegant, fastidious Gerard paying
assiduous court to the little country
girl, who received it as matter of |
course.
Still, that was the least provoking
part of the affair.
Poor Gotham, whose evil genius
lad decreed that on that day he
Should act as caller servante to- the
angry belle, Kate's angry glances
chilled his very marrow, and scared
all the small talk out of him.
Miss Irwin was not only belle,
but eligible to the extent of $780,
900, and who knows what schemes
had been running in that little lady's
polite head when she invited Kate to
spend the summer with her.
cat any rate" as she observed to
her husband afterward, 81 couldn't
sit there, you know, and see Gerard
making himself ridiculous, and the
Poplins and Mrs. Temple Stowe look
| ing on-who, of course, would tell it
all over town.
So, after a side glance at the
bronze time-piece, Mrs. L'Aymar
said in her softest tones:
s'My dear little Nellie, 1 am sorry
to lose you, but 1 promised your IA
ther you should return the moment
the clock struck three, and you know
how exact he is.''
Nellie flushed to her very temples,
for she had been invited to spend the
day, and well understood the reason
of the sudden change in Mrs. Lay
mar.
''John shall drive you home," said
the lady, fearing, perhaps, she had
gone too far, ''and shall try to per-
suade your father
'sTo be little less exact" broke
in Gerard, with scornful emphasis !;
''but John need not take the trouble
to harness his horses, for mine, if my
orders have been obeyed, are already
at the door, and / shall be only too
happy to drive Miss Parker home"
And he did take her home, spite of
the ill-concealed wrath of Mrs. Lay
mar and the fascinating Miss Irwin !;
and when he reached the old farm
house invited himself to go in (Nel-
lie would never have had the cour-
age) and claimed acquaintance with
her father on the strength of boxed
ear once received from the dominic
when boy and at home during va
cation, and complimented brother
Bob ON his farming and Mrs. Parker
on her house-wifery, and stayed to
tea and talked politics and theology
and everything but love, which he
, contented himself with looking at
Miss Nellie.
Day after day saw his stylish turn
) out dashing down the green, shady
: lane that led to the dominic, and il
} was standing joke of his groom that
t "Mas'r was going for the consolation
: of religion -
The very dogs around the place
came to know him, while no damask
/ rose ever glowed as did Nellie's cheek
: when she heard the music of his
horses hoofs galloping on the road.
5 Mrs. L'Aymar's Indignation knew
l no bounds.
e "The way Gerard goes on with
? that girl is ridiculous she said tc
/ Kate Irwin, "and I considered it my
duty to interfere.
: ''Then he will assuredly marry
t her, responded the lady, coolly
e "Can you not see that he is only
i amusing himself? Oppose him and
: he is capable of any folly. Leave
4 him alone, and he will soon tire Of
: his new found toy.''
Reasoning on widely different prin
e ciples, Mrs. Parker had arrived al
g the same conclusion, and sadly anC
n anxiously she watched the gradua
d changes in Nellie's demeanor.
f "Old Martha tells me you never
: visit her, lately" she said to he
n daughter, one afternoon.
A bright flush crimsoned Nellie
O cheek
$50 she has been complaining, hal
: she? Tiresome old woman -
f s'And Miss Goodwin has mention
a ed to me-" continued her mother
d without appearing to notice Nellie
tone, ''that you are seldom or neve
:, at the Thursday prayer meetings"
d 81 don't believe" returned Nellie
d that we ought always to be singing
o and praying and visiting old women
| am young, and / want to enjo.
|. life.'
It "Who gave you life?' answered
l. Mrs. Parker, ''and how long is i
o since you found it wearisome t.
n praise and serve God? ALL Nellie
if Nellie, since Mr.. Fay
''There it is again." interrupte,
u Nellie, "always Mr.. Fay! Every