The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-08-21
MATCHMAKING.

Eyes, am sure that would be the
best plan," mused Jean Scott aloud,
clasping her hands around her knees,
aid looking up through the trees at a
little patch of clear sky shining down be-
tween the leaves. "Mr. Stuart is rich
and handsome" here she sighed with
out any known reason. "Ph9be ought
to marry him-she must do it-and
let that stupid John Barnard go. lam
sure-positively sure, Victor Stuart
would suit her best, and l will make
the match"
1t was Sunday afternoon, and Jean
sat out under big oak tree in the
front yard. A book lay on the grass
beside her, and little crippled chicken,
rescued from the horse lot, nestled in a
fold of her buff linen gown.
She was a supple. slender girl, olive
skinned, grey-eyed and black-haired.
and just bordering on eighteen.
With the calm confidence of mex
perience and positive ignorance, she
had made up her mind to meddle in a
very delicate matter-namely, love
affair.
The SCOTS were country people,
owned good farm ard lived comfort
ably, and John Barnard, neighboring
farmer, had long loved Phoebe, the
eldest daughter of the house and very
pretty girl of twenty.
The matter had not disturbed Jean
until two things occurred. Her father
suffered some reverses of fortune, and
Victor came up from New Orleans.
She felt peculiarly grateful to him,
for he was not only young, handsome
and rich, but he had also saved her life
on certain occasion, when she had
been more reckless than wise, in run
ming horse-race with her brother.
Her pony took it into his head to run
away, and Miss Jeans white neck
might have been broken had it not
been for the timely appearance of Mr..
Stuart, who threw himself in front of
the unruly horse and checked him.
That encounter led to a closer ac-
quaintance with the family, and the
young man had called several times.
He rode up to the gate, and dis,
mounted, while Jean sat on the grass
and meditated on her plan.
The color leaped to her cheeks al
sight of him, and thrill shot through
her heart. How happy any woman
might be to win his love-he looked Sc
brave and handsome.
Now she had always been little shy
before him; but to-day she rose to meet
him with smile, and a slim hand ex
tended.
The gentleman replied warmly to hel
friendly greeting.
"You take compassion on all afflicted
creatures he remarked, glancin.
down at the little downy chick whicl
rested on the grass, with its broker
leg bound up with a bit of linen.
Jean lifted it tenderly.
"Ah yes. Poor little weakling! it
life is but frail thing, but preciou
to it no doubt. l love not pain or SUI
fering. But pardon me. will no
keep you standing out here
at is very pleasant, l.
"But much pleasanter in the house,
she said hastily, confused by the wa
his eyes dwelt upon her. go in, MI
Stuart"
"Will you come also?'
"When 1 have cared for this wound
ed chick-yes, sir, perhaps. Phoebe
in the parlor."
And when he had reluctantly dc
parted, she sat down again and hid he
face in her hands, her heart beatin
quick and loud.
"'Tis only his way-only his way
and 1 am a foolish, weak-minde
creature to allow his pleasant word
and kindly glances to affect me-"
| She had not long to sigh over he
folly or scold herself for it.
| Another young man had arrived o
the scene, and she must prepare t
meet him.
He was an honest, good-lookin
farmer, and from her childhood Jea
had known and liked him; but to-da
she must crush any presumptuou
hopes he might possibly entertain r.
garding Phoebe.
Good evening, jean"
She had picked up her book agaiI
and was apparently much interested
it, for all it was wrong end up.
Good evening, john" in a calml
patronizing tone
"Is Phoebe at home?"
Eyes; she is in the parlor, entertain
ing company"
His face fell.