The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1885-10-17
that Vanity does''
Somehow I am fond Of that phrase, and

that Vanity does.''
Somehow / am fond Of that phrase, and
often use it.
The rector looked little sharp at me: he
always frowned at the smallest beginnings o1
what in his sermons he used to call evil speak
ing, and l instantly saw l must mold my
tongue. But that name, vanity HARD
ware,' kept ringing in my ears, and MADE
me more curious than ever 10 kno" soMe'
thing Of the young woman who bore IL
''Bide your time, John Book said to my
self. Everything will come to light II you
wait long enough" And was right.
Once or twice Mr.. Hardware was seen in
the village. He was very infrm. and used
to drive down in Jupp's fly. which was as
much an institution in our village as the
parish church. both structures being about
the same age, Hardware was tall, and looked
venerable. He wore brown cap with lap
pets over the ears and long blue cloak with
a cape fastened at the neck by q little brass
chain and catch-the oldest I ever saw. His
hair you could scarcely see, but his beard was
long and white; and his shoes were large,
with knobs on the toes, which caught my eye
as from my window watched him lumber
ing out of the carriage
'Bunions. y said l.
He could hardly rise from his seat, falling
back twice, and helped out at last by his
daughter and the cabman.
"Lumbago," said again.
Then he was seized by a coughing fit that
nearly shook him to pieces.
asthma" cried I the third time. II
should say your physic, inside and out,
would cost you five shillings week-sup-
posing you were good for that much money"
Almost Immediately after the father and
daughter crossed over the street and entered
my shop, he supporting himself on her arm,
and leaning heavily on his stick beside. He
fell into chair with great sigh Of, relief,
and Miss Vanity came to the counter and
made two or three purchase =, the old man
wheeling and mumbling to himself all the
time. l wondered if his mind was all right;
as to his body, that was the most striking
image of decrepituds ever beheld.
''Their strength is but labor and sorrow,"
thinks I. Inlay The Lord take me before m,
joints are stiff
In my little garden there was blossomy.
sweet-smelliny rose, which grew close beside
= gnarlcd, withered eldcr-b,lsh. Do you
know, Miss Vanity, dressy and handsome
and young, standing beside this grumbling
Antiquity, made me think OF the rose and
the elder:
Now begins the story proper. Just as
was thinking of the rose and the elder, a
young fellow, whom dearly loved, named
Willie Snow, stepped into my shop. He
wanted sixpennyworth Of spirits Of wine in
haste; SO, with one Of his easy, pleasant mods,
he asked Miss Vanity to allow him to be
served before her, upon which she drew aside.
While was measuring out the spirit they
thought old gray hair saw nothing; but ''Oho,
my lass or my lady!' thinks I; for marked
her watching him while be stood leaning
carelessly against the counter, as taking a
young fellow as one would meet in days
walk. There came over her face the look I
spoke OF before, as il she would snare him, or
try to snare him, when she got a chance She
got the chance soon; for as Willie put the
vial in his pocket, he turned to thank her.
She smiled, showing b set OF flne white teeth.
and. having fixed her dark eyes upon him
just for an instant, withdrew her gaze in
affected confusion. How those tell-tale eyes
sslak down beneath their long dark lashes
with an air Of tender modesty that might
>,,h any mans heart!
well done, Miss Vanity" thinks I. "Next
- leing bashful, the prettiest thing in a
pretty woman Is to seem no."
Put Willie, being not half my ago, could
not b expected to take the thing in this cool
way. A light flashed In his soft gray eyes,
surprise and pleasure mixing their rays and
the color deepened on his cheek Hehesitated
good-morning," said he, with
stammering lips. ''Thank your
Vanity raised her downcast eyes, aud
when their looks met her face kindled into
smile, the sweetest in the world.
''You are very welcome
Only four words, mark you. But how
charming she looked! A thousand soft and
winning beams played over her face, her
voice had melancholy ring, and her eyes
dropped to the ground again. Actress-ac-
tress, from her pretty cheek to her hearts
core!
Willie seemed struck and dazed; he passed
out silently and she turned to me again. No
more lifting and dropping of the eyes, /
promise yo'i. Sixty years of age, and an old
coat sprlnkleti with snuff, guard one against
these tricks. And when I. in my stupid way.
counted thirteenpence-h alfpnuy and sir.
pence and One-and-nineoence to I've th,ee.a and.
tivepence halfpenny--
'Three-and- Ja,apence-halfpenny," cried
she, with sharp shake o. tn, head and ewes
as cold as steel.
II beg your pardon" said l. Then to nv.
self went on: Love or money. it's all the
same TO- You. my lady--sharp's the word"
The old man hobhled cut to the cab again
dragging at his dau- ,ter's arm. I must saw
she seem'l kin:l to him. He managed to get
\,=,a. u