The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-05-07
TH0MPS0N'S FAULT.

been singular, but that Is Irrelevant. And
this was such a semi-occasonal fault that
every one felt inclined to forgive 1t. 1t
consisted of propensity to drain the
flowing blow, that being his most glori-
GUS method of celebrating legal holidays.
IN occasional Sunday, his own birthday
and those of his most intimate friends.
But sober he was so honest and obliging,
and interpocula, so good-natured, that
Mrs, Jayne had not the heart to discharge
him.
Thompson's duties were manifold, from
sub-cellar to skylight. He shook tho
furnace and shoveled the snow; he
waited at tables and carried coal for the
crate fires of the fourth-story boarders.
He was genuine African; you could not
tip him too often.
On certain Sunday evening Thomp-
son, having spent the delightful exhilera-
ton, was called from basement to adj
NIT caller. He received the gentlemen
with profuse greeting, salaaming to the
very floor of the hall and repeating and
re-repeating his favorite assertion Of
"eberyting lubly."
The gentleman was evidently not
alarmed he put his hat and coat on the
rack, sent up his name, Mr.. Cassius
Pulsifer, and entered the drawing ROOM
Mr.. Pulsifer was tall, well-propor-
toned man of forty or thereabouts. He
had u Complacent look on his handsome
face. He knew she was at home, for MS
he had approached bright light had
shown from behind the white window
curtain of her second story front hall bed
room.
Having arrived at this point, it is neces-
sary to state that the "she" In question
was otherwise Miss Dolly Hawley, aged
about twenty, fortune uncertain, tenden-
cies musical. In fact, Miss Dolly was
studying for oretorio.
1t is further necessary to relate that
there was another young lady dwelling
under Mrs JGyne's exclusive roof The
other young lady was a friend of Miss
Hawley's, by name, Miss Annabel Redd.
Miss Redd was also the happy occupant of
hall room.
And now, though it may occur to the
reader that this story began at the wrong
end, or clumsily twisted. or awkwardly
put together, we must go back to Mr..
Pulsifer, sitting in the drawing-room and
blissfully anticipating the tripping descent
of Miss Dolly
What we expect to see shining on him
from the doorway is roundish face with
dancing hazel eyes and frame of chest
nut hair. What he does see is totally
different the black fleece on the skull of
Thompson, who has returned with the
horrible intelligence that Miss Hawiey is
not at home.
Not at homer"
Mr.. Pulsifer remained seated in aston
ishment.
but saw light in her room"
No, sab, de light am turned down,
sah."
"On what floor is her room ?" asked
Mr.. Pulsifer suspiciously, and was in
formed it was the third.
And who is on the second floor"
miss Redd, sab"
Mr. Pulsifer knew Miss Redd, but did
not care to ask for her. He left his card
for Miss Hawley and withdrew in an agi-
tated frame OF mind, pausing for Q
moment at the door to hearken. what
Thompson had just recollected, that Miss
Hawley had not been home to tea, that
she had gone out at dark with young
gentleman.
Mr.. Pulsifer felt intensely warm within,
as he crossed the street The night was
bitter cold, but he burned with jealousy.
False, false /" he murmured bitterly.
And believed her SO, | loved her 80; l
would have given my life for her. Per-
idious, wretchedly deceitful, even in the
least OF things. Why did she tell me her
floor was story lower than it really is ?
Was it that might think she paid more ?
Was it that might be misled by hateful
gaslight ?"
MI. Pulsifer might not have been 50
vexed, but that he had now called two
evenings in succession, and both times
found Miss Dolly away. He had not seen
her for three long days-and when man
Is interested i'll anything us Mr.. Cassius
Pulsifer was in finding Miss Dony--in
fact, when man has something serious
to consult woman upon, it Is highly
necessary he should not lose time
But now, everything seemed over
thrown. Not even Dolly Hawley should
treat him thus. He would call no more
until she had sent for him. Gone out
with young gentleman. Mr. Pulsifer
was not callous on the subject OF his own
advanced age. He would like to know
what young gentleman she had gone
with.
Having crossed the street he turned and
light which had lured him on to disap-
pointment.
Perfidious womankind
Mr.. PulSifer, Woodworking business
man, and bachelor of forty, was mex
perienced in love: his troubles all lay be-
fore him. For he was desperately smiu-
ten, and Dolly had led him on.
He walked slowly away, on the opposite
side OF the street; his burning jealousy
into hurt feeling OF intense soreness.
There was no use any longer in thinking
about what he had been thinking before
discovering Dolly's perfdy.
1t vas morning-Monday Miss Hawlcy
and Miss Redd were seated opposite al
breai. asst. Miss Hawley always wore O
red ..o.ner Hubbard in the morning
with plush trimmings. In fact, she al
ways had something red about il I, oeing
oliye-Sk1ned aGJ 5. .ric."ts. .e...,, Redd
preferred sedate 60. .. .14l was Il blonde
and tall; she did fashion articles fol-
various newspapers, with now and then q
bit Of heart-rending poetry thrown in.
Dolly, said the young lady, did you
see Mr.. Pulsifer last evening ?"
"Mr. Pulsifer ?" Dolly blushed under
her akin,
moo. Where was he
Miss Redd put another lump of sugar IL
her coffee
"Why, he was here He called on me
/ was not in, you know. l wonder he
didn't ask for YOU"
"There Is no reason why your caller.
should ask for me, said Dolly, losing al
appetite for her chop, yet cutting into il
as If she were starving.
mo, said her friend, smoothly That's
| two nights he has called on me in success
sion. If he keeps Oh, | shall have MI
looking-gla full of the cards he leaves
/ wonder what he wants"
Miss Redd put her napkin in its ring
and departed. Miss Hawley remaiDsd y
cut away at her chops.
So he came last night, came and nevel
even asked for her. And she had hopel
for him SO earnestly. He came to call OF
Annabel Reid, who cared about as much
| for him as she cared for o street lamp. Al
| II Annabel Redd could care for any man
save as an escort to the theatre, or som,
one to pay car-fare. He came to see An
mabel and left cards for her to stick In he
mirror and boast OF to Dolly.
Having thoroughly carved the inoffen
siye chop before her, Miss Hawley de