The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-05-06


of Farmer Hebron, and thrill of terror
came into Roses heart as she made all
speed to follow the dcwy track Of Lin
nets footsteps over the grass.
As she reached the belt of woods close
to the apple-orchard, she paused in dis
may at the sound of sweet, high pitched
voice.
It's Linnctw she involuntarily ex-
claimed. "And she's scolding some
body. Dcar me, whom can it BET Sure
ly not Ajax" ....
"You are thief" she could hear Lin
net oxclaim-"a robbcr! Let that bar
rel of apples alone, say. I don't care
whether you arc Squire sandford or not.
That barrel of apples is mine"
And as Rose drew near, she could see
this dimpled young Amazon resolutely
defending the barrel of apples, with her
single strength, against Squire Sandford
and his stoutest farm laborer.
She stood there, with one slight hand
on the red-chcckcd fruit, which was
brimming over the barrel hoops, and be-
fore her the tall squire and his hercuean
aid-de-camp were helpless.
eff you will allow me to explain"
practically began the squire.
81 will allow nothing" declared Lin
net. 81 repeat, these apples are mine!
Touch them, at your peril"
Thus far the young heroine was con-
queror But alas! in that very moment
of victory Nemesis was at hand. There
was the dull sound of trampling hoofs,
then a sullcn below, and Ajax himself,
bursting through weak spot in the
fence, was upon them.
Linnct Dcssoir collapsed, 50 to speak,
at once. She forgot her heroism, her
dignity-evcrything but her danger, and
flew, for rescue, to Squire Slndford,
shrieking:
"Savc me! save nc"
The farmland dogged behind the
wagon; but Squire San lford never
quailed, but held her rcsolutcly in his
arms.
''Do not be afraid" he said, almost as
!! if he had been speaking to frightened
child. Nothing shall harm you, little
one!"
For an instant, things look very black :;
then Squire sandford spoke gently once
more.
'Do not hold my arm so tightly" said
he, "Lct me get at my revolver. must
shoot the brute! No, don't be so terri
fed. Do not you hear me say that moth
ing should harm you3"
And then the problem resolved itself,
as problems often do. Ajax, butting his
huge head against the barrel of lady-ap-
pies, sent them rolling in all directions,
and caught his horns in the barrel itself,
elfcctually binding him. lie set off at a
wild gallop down the hill, believing as
he went, and there he met his fate in the
shape of two or three men with run
ming moose of rope and good stout
chain.
"Hcllo, pct" shouted Farmer Heb
ron's voice. "What's the mattcr2 She
hasn't tainted, has she, squirrel"
And Linnet, realizing that she was safe,
blushingly withdrew from Mr. Sandford's
shcltcring arms, and ran to her uncle.
81 am 50 much obliged to you, sir, .
she whispered. "And plcase-plcase
don't mind what ! said about the apples
You arc quite welcome to them"
"Icy2 Applcs!' said Mr., Hebron
"Why, Linnct didn't you know that
cartcd the barrel of apples that the
squire gave you home last night"
Linnct grew crimson all over, and fed
to Roses faithful breast for consolation
IL shall never dare to look that mar
in the face again." she bcwailcd herself
ooh, dcar--oh, dear, what must he have
thought of me!'
But of course Mr.. Sandford considered
it only righ' and proper to call that eve,
ming, and inquire how Miss Dessoil
found herself; and really the meeting
was not half as embarrassing as Linnct
) had fancicd it would be.
They had good laugh about ia,
and the apples; and Linnet confessed
how dreadfully frightened she had been.
"And with reason" said Squire Sand
ford. "Therc was second or two il
which we were in very serious danger
'But. you will forgive me about th'
apples'" said Lnnct, with pretty, coax.
ing earnestncss.
"Oh, yes, l will forgive you about tn,
applesw Squire Saudtord laughingl,
returned.
And in that moment Linnet though
what very pretty color his eyes were
decided that he couldn't possibly b.
thirty years old.
=
"Isn't it strange" said Rose Hebron
"that we have lived neighbor to Squir
Sandford all these years, and he has new
er been more than ordinarily polite t,
l met And here comes Lianet, and quar-
rels with him at five minutes notice, anC
calls him all sorts of names, and nov
they are engaged to be married, and
am to be the bridesmaid
''Not at all strange" said Miss Dessoir
: ''To me it seems a, rice and natural a
= possible. But you are mistaken abou
his age, Rosy. He is only twenty nine
And if he were a hundred and twenty
> nine, / should love him all the same"
: "Of course" said Rose; that is wha
: all engaged girls Helen Fores
Grdres.
= Experienced.