The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-12-11


"Don't be in hurry, deacon" said
Miss Whitman. ~ do wish to consult
you"
"About what?" said tho deacon,
looking obviously at the chilled should
ers and purple arms of the lady.
"Marriagel' said Miss Whitman.
"Would you advise me, dear deacon,
to commit my future into the hands of
another?"
"Eh?' said the deacon. "IIad an
offer?'
"Yes," said Miss Whitman, driven
by his directness into an absolute lie.
"Then. if l was you," said the
deacon, I'D accept it. Cause it ain't
likely you'll have many of 'em."
Miss Whitman colorel under all the
rice powder.
"But, deacon" she stammered,
"what if don't love the man? what
If love another who"
"Then don't accept him." said the
deacon. "But." suddenly becoming
electrically aware of his danger as
Miss Valeria moved her chair little
closer to his, "my horse is gettin'
dreadful Uneasy outside, guess I'll be
going. No, thank you," as Miss Whit
man took up the plate of cake. 81
don't never eat nothin' except at my
reglar meals. Good morning."
And thus the deacon escaped.
"Ehl what's that noise? If it's the
cat jumping at my canary again But
it sounded like some one laughing,
and cats don't laugh. Who's that?
Philo Lusk, declare! Well, he's a
likely young fellow-not as rich as
Squire Hart, may be, but Oh, come
in Mr.. Lusk-come in! I am so glad
to see you! Lovely day, isn't it."
Philo Lusk sat down, with his hat
in his lap.
81 received your card, Miss Valeria,"
said he, "and am here in response to
it,"
$50 kind of you'll" said Miss Whit
man, with a smile which not even the
tabled seats of Cheshire could excel,
although they are reported to be good
at smiling.
"To tell the TRUTH" said honest
Philo, 81 wanted a little talk with
you"
Indeedl' said the lady. "Won't
You come here and set by me on the
sofa? It's more sociable-like."
"Oh, yes, if you like" said Philo,
obeying her gesture of invitation.
"You see, my mother is getting feebler
every day, and we feel the need of
someyounger person at the farm. And
am eight-and-twenty now, and the
place is in prime order, and I've
money at interest, so that I've pretty
much made up my mi Id to marry"
Miss Valeria let the puffed and friz-
zled head fall on his shoulder.
dearest Philo!" she exclaimed.
"Yes-exactly," said Philo Lusk,
moving as far away as the arm of the
sofa would allow. 80, If you thought
that your niece Bella would have
me"
"My niece Bella" gasped the elder
lady, the immovable bloom never alter
ing on her face, although her heart
beat wildly and her lips blanched.
"Yes," said Philo, 81 hoped to have
Seen her here to day."
"No" said Miss Valeria, sharply.
"she has gone away; and if she hadn't,
she wouldn't accept youy"
Is-is she engaged to some one
else?" stammered poor Phlo.
"Yes," said Miss Whitman-"to Pc
ter Gregson. But, Philo, do not grieve;
1 am ready to entertain your suit,
although Bella despises you, and"
"But she doesn't, t,aunty" said a clear,
distinct voice; and Bella herself en-
tered from the adjoining room. "On
the contrary, she loves Philo Lusk
dearly; and she refused Peter Gregson,
as you know very we'll. Oh, Philo,"
with reproachful glance at her lover,
"would you have believed her false
hoods?"
"How came you herep" screamed
Miss Whitman.
81 went to Mrs. NVillet's house." said
Bella, and she had gone to spend the
holidays with her niece at Medbury.
So 1 came back home"
"You are dreadful minxp' cried
Miss Valeria, nearly suffocated with
indignation.
GENTLY" said Philo Lusk, interpos-
ing in Bella's defense. mo calling of
names please"
"And you shan't stay in my house
another dayp' added the indignant
lady.
"Then she shall come to Miner
boldly asserted Philo Lusk. "Come,
Bella darling-my sleigh is at the
door, and it holds exactly two. Well
go to Parson Meadows and get mar
ried this very hour"
And they did so; and Mrs. Lusk,
senior, who was waiting at the farm
| houqe door In repaive har son 1,,o, do