The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-08-20

that effect, but there is language of
eye and manner, and"
Minnie's mind was absorbed in these
fancies, when knock came to the
door, and the old housekeeper put her
head into the room.
"Miss Minnie, the sheets is ready
for the linen closet!'
"The sheetsr' Minnie shrugged her
shoulders little impatiently. "Why
couldn't old Peggy have waited?
Very well, Peggy, I'll see to that,
presently!
But they ought to be put away
now, miss" persisted the obdurate old
servant. "Ive strewed sprigs of law
ender and dried rose leaves between
all the folds, and if you'd please to
put them on the shelves now"
Minnie rose with a scarcely sup
pressed sigh. She knew Peggy too
well to hope for any peace until her
behests were fulfilled.
The heap Of snowy linen lay on the
hall table, white and fragrant through
the tolls of Peggys skilled digits, and,
taking pile on her arm, Minnie Dart
ford went to the linen closet. small
room, opening out on that allotted to
the present occupation of Clarence
Lee and Mr.. Herbert Arundel
She glanced timidly in before she
entered, to make sure that neither of
her brothers guests were in the apart
ment, and then hurried through,
place the linen in its nook.
She had scarcely reached up to de-
posit the pile on the high shelf above
her head, when voices and footsteps
fell on her ear, and, with palpitajing
heart, Minnie felt that she was like a
Gagged bird, among the shelves, laden
with sheets and pillow-cases. Mr..
Arundel had entered his room the
spicy odor of his cigar already pro-
claimed the fact to her olfactories,
even were there no other witnesses,
and with him stranger had been
ushered in.
Minnie stood quite still. hoping that
their incur.;,n was but for moment,
and their Withdrawal would presently
leave her frSv to beat a retreat. The
door of the closet was partially drawn
to, and she was at least sure of not
being discovered. The color rose to
her cheek at the idea of thus involun-
tarily playing the part of eavesdropper;
but what else could she do?
sit down, Lewis" cried Mr.. Arun-
del, drawing forward an easy chair;
"make yourself at home. Your cigar
isn't out, | hcpe?
"No, it's all right" said the strange
voice. 81 say, old fellow, speaking of
making ones self at home, it strikes
me that you are practising the thing
yourself rather extensively here!"
Arundel laughed.
81 am at home," he said complacent-
ly. "Why, bless your heart alive,
Lewis, the good people here think I'm
the greatest man alive"
They'll find their mistake after
awhile"
Not until I've made a sure thing
of it," answered Arundel.
What do you mean?"
81 mean that l am going to marry
the girl"
"What, the little heiress?" echoed
the man whom Arundel had called
Lewis.
"Well. yes, if you choose to call her
so. No great heiress. after all; but l
dare say can find use for her twen-
ty-five thousand dollars. And, to
crown all, she's desperately in love
with me-"
The other laughed hoarsely--a
sneering sound, which made the blood
boil Indignantly in Minnie Dartford's
veins.
"You always did play the deuce
among the girls" he said. 80 she's
in love with you, eh9
Eyes. It's quite amusing to watch
the progress of her infatuation.'
answered Arundel. Il haven't pro
posed yet, simply because l don't want
to precipitate the moment. Bless you
she jump into my arms tomorrow if
were to pop the question:
"Shed jump out again quick
: enough, if she knew you half as wei
as do" jeered the other.
r "But she don't. you see!" sale
5 Arundel. Where ignorance is bliss
tits folly to be wise'-you know tn,
t old saying. And the best of it is that
: I've somehow contrived to cut ou
D another lover, who has been hanging
around after her ever since she was
e child in bib-aprons-a man whom an,
girl ought to be proud to attract
|, Clarence Leer'
: "She's foolr' was the mutteret
: comment.
Granted" said Arundel lightly
r "but then you and | know that al
? women are fools"