The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-08-07
IN A STAGE COACH.

1t was midsummer in the mountains
and Lillian Ferguson had never seen a
fairer scene than the pillows of blue
hills that lay stretched out before her,
with here and there the flash of half
hidden lake, or the ribbon-like glitter
of tiny river.
She stood leaning againstlthe rustic
cedar post that formed thejsupport of
the hotel piazza, while her modest lit
tie trunk and traveling-bags were
piled up at the rear.
Don't fret, miss" said the landlady,
who was bustling in and out. "The
stage will be along soon.' -.
"Oh, l am in no hurryIfor the stage"
said Lillian pleasantly. 81 could stand
and look at this beautiful landscape all
day"
"Ain't that strange, now" reflective
ly uttered Mrs. Peck, the landlady.
"Me and Peck, we never think about it
at ALL"
as the stage often as late as this"
said Lillian, glancing at her neat little
silver watch.
"Not generally" said Mrs. Peck.
"But to-day they're waiting, at Wells
Station, for the deaf-and-dumb gentle
man."
"For whom?" said Lillian, in amaze
ment.
"For the deaf-and-dumb gentleman,
MISS explained Mrs. Peck. ga
cousin of our minister's, up at Crest
Hill He's been down to New York
for treatment; but deary me, there
amt no treatment can ever do him any
GOOD AS deaf as stone, miss, and
never spoke an InuunisOnc nora .iHoo
he was born. But they do say he's a
very learned man, in spite of all his
drawbacks"
"I'm afraid he won't be very lively
travelling companion" said Lillian,
smiling.
"No, 1 calculate not" said Mrs.
Peck, in matter-of- fact sort of way.
Just at that moment a boX-wagon
drove up; the charioteer handed out a
valise, and assisted young lady to
alight
"Has the stage gomez" she cried,
flinging aside her veil, and revealing a
very pretty brunette face shaded by
jetty fringes of hair and flushed with
excitement.
you're just in time, MISS" said Mrs.
Peck, peering down the winding road,
which her experienced eye could trace,
when no ones else was of any avail.
Its a-comin' now"
But Lillian Ferguson, who had been
gazing at the newcomer earnestly, now
came forward with an eager smile and
an outstretched hand.
"Surely l am not mistaken" said
she, "and this is Eulalie Morton?"
LILLIAN Fergusonl Oh, you darling,
I am so glad to see you'll" cried the
stranger. "But where on earth did
you come from?"
And thus met the two lovely girls
who had graduated just year ago
from Madame De Tournaire's fashion
able boarding-school in New York, and
who had not seen each other since.
Just at this moment, however, there
was no time for explanations. The
ponderous stage, relic of forgotten
generation, rolled up, with creak of
leathern curtains, tramp of horses, and
a general confusion of arrival, to the
broad wooden steps of the hotel.
The sun was already down. In the
twilight, Eulalie and Lillian could only
discover that the stage contained but
one other occupant, man, who leaned
back in the far corner, with the top of
his face partially hidden by large,
wide-brimmed hat, and its lower part
wrapped in the folds of Persian silk
pocket-handk
He inclined his head courteously as
they entered, and moved handsome
traveling-case which lay on the middle
seat, as if to make room for them.
"Is there another passengerP" said
Miss Morton, with little, nervous
start.
ats only a deaf-and dumb gentle
man. Lillian explained, her eyes full of
soft pity. "The landlady told ine about
him."
"What nuisanceT' cried Eulalie.
~ had hoped we should have the stage
TO ourselves. But now, DEAR" as she
settled herself in the most comfortable
corner, "tell me what this unexpected
encounter means"
at means" said Lillian, with shy
smile, that l am going to be nursery
governess at Chessington Hall, up
among the Adirondacks-tha is, if ]
give satisfaction. l was engaged by
letter from the Educational Bureau, a
week ago"
"What singular coincidencer' said
Miss Morton, shaking her cherry.color
cd bOnnet.strings, "And ] sm COINS