The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-06-04

brightness of life could not be hers.
But when Mr.. Dent came opposi
the shed-door, the happy light died OF
of his pleasant gray eyes.
Well it might. Janet did not dreal
what pitiful sight her poor littl
tear-stained face was.
Mr.. Dent spoke cheerily.
"All work and no play makes Jill
dull girl, doesn't it?" he said. takin
the basket from her hand and in me
ment carrying it, loaded, into the kitcf
en-. "You have too much to do; tn
spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
When Mr.. Dent had filled the bi,
wood-boxes so the covers would hardl
shut down, he said:
"My arms are strong, and they shall
be at your service while l stay here
though it will be only day or tw,
longer. I shall be quite at leisure to
morrow or next day, and you can cal
on me whenever you like"
Much as Janet was pleased, she
never would have dreamed of taking
the gentleman at his word; but the
next morning proved a rainy one, SC
that MIR. Dents chamber, being cold
and no fire lighted in the sitting-room
he came into the kitchen with his book
and ensconced himself in the great
rocking-chair beside the stove.
That was the pleasantest day of
Janet's life. Mr.. Dent told her such
funny stories, and read so beautifully
from his great bookl and then, he fill
ed the water-pails, and kept the fire
burning, and jumped up to lift the
heavy tubs for her, and sat down
again to keep the bread from burning,
while she carried Mrs. Titus dinner
up.
And while he was doing all this, Mr..
Dent was thinking what dear little
patient thing she was, and how pretti-
ly the nut-brown hair curled over her
head.
At night he filled the boxes with
wood, strained the milk, wound the
high clock and turned the cats out; and
all day he had had jest for every
thing, and genial glance and kind
tone, that turned darkness into light
for Janet.
She sighed with happiness as she
went to sleep, though Mrs. Titus
goodnight word had been that "she
was a lazy, good-for- nothing thingr'
and that she should be down stairs
tomorrow to see what Janet was up
to-"
The northeast storm continued, and
Mr.. Dent was sitting by the fire again,
when Mrs. Titus limped into the
kitchen with cane.
Now, Mr.. Dent had just been chop
ping mince-meat, with Mrs. Titus
gingham apron and ruffled cap on, and
had barely cast them aside, when tho
lady opened the door and caught Janet
She might well have looked amazed,
for she never had seen Janet laughing
before. Now, why she probably could
not have told, but Mrs. Titus was very
much offended.
She waited until dinner was served,
and Janet had gone into the we'll room
to cool the pudding then she began a
bitter TRADE:
"Pretty business this is, giggling and
fooling your time away, and every
thing to do! Mr.. Dents been reading
poetry to you, has he? How much
more churning can you do when you
listen to poetry? Have you baked that
fruit-cake? Well, l know it's made
wrong! Did you shut that settin' hen
off the nest? don't believe it. What's
Mr.. Dent in the kitchen for, any way?"
'For the fire, ma'am. The chambers
ire so chilly. And had so much to
10, and he was kind, and his arms |
were strong" faltered poor little Janet.
"Umph! Been complaining to Mr..
Dent, have you, that you work SO hard?
good-for-nothing creaturel l
wish I'd left you in the asylum. l
lever thought of your turning out
ike this-luring men into my kitchen
when I'm sick in bed"
stop, Mrs. Titusl' interposed Mr..
DENTS heavy voice. Better not 90
90 far. Janet has told you all there
$ to tell. l did think she worked too
lard. l felt kindly toward her. II
laoe a pair of strong arms which have
lelped her little. And they are still
It her service. They shall be hers for
ife if she will. Little Janet, will you
ccept me for husband? Many
'ounger man will not be as tender and
rue as |, Janet. Will you come, lit
le one?"
And Janet she looked once with
Ter wide, innocent eyes into the strong,
tentle face, then went straight into
hose extended arms, though Mrs. I'll
us stood by shifting the air in scorn.
"Well. ] never!" she exclaimed. "To
hink of itr'
Janet never was scolded again.
Those kind, strong arms have been
bout her ever since. To-be-sure, she
vas not educated for gentleman's
wife, but Mr.. Dent took her home to
he kindest of mothers and sisters,
whose influence and tact polished her
manners, and soon made