The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-07-29

rent of their big spare room. And Mr..
Trudkins brought letter of recommen-
dation from a friend in Packerton, and
he dressed in the latest fashion, and had
big black moustache that overshadow-
ed his upper lip like a penthouse.
ooh, ma, how very genteel he isl"
said Abby Jane, all in futter of admir-
alton.
"a very nice young man indeed"
responded the deacon's wife.
And the very next week, Abby Jane
came down to the Leeds farm house.
"Have you heard this news of your
Eliza9" she asked of the farmers wife,in
mysterious whisper.
Eh2" said Mrs. Leeds.
"She's nothing but play actress"
said Abby Jane, nodding her head until
the stuffed blue bird on her hat quivered
as if it were alive. "Mr. Alphonso Trud-
kins saw her himself in the Great New
York Combination troupe. She was acting
woman who was married to Cuban, and
lost her pocket handkerchief, and was
afterward choked with the pillows off
the best bed. Desdemonia her name was,
l think"
"Well, and suppose she was9" said
Mrs. Leeds, who was too good general
to let the enemy see what havoc had
been carried into her camp. "What
| then2"
"What then2" echoed Abby Jane.
"Well, do declare, Mrs. Leeds, l am
surprised" ....
81 don't believe a word of it." said
Mrs. Leeds, defiantly.
"But Mr.. Trudkins saw her with his
own eyes!" cried Abby Jane, flushing
scarlet with indignation. "He knew her
the minute he looked at her yesterday in
church. Elizabeth Ellesmere her name
was, he says, in the advertisements, and
she danced a dance, with a yellow scarf
and lot of roses, between the pieces,
making herself out to be Spanish man
doline player It's enough to make ones
hair stand on end to hear Mr.. Trudkins
tell about it,"
''It don't do to believe all one hears, :"
said Mrs. Leeds, losing all count of the
eggs she was breaking into china
bowl in her CONSERVATION. "And
Stapleville does beat all for gossip"
"Well, you can ask her yourself, and
see if she dares deny it !" said Abby Jane,
exultantly. "Here she comes now. Ask
her-.only ask her!"
And Eliza came into the kitchen, with
the spice box in her hand. Mr.. Villars
followed close behind, tanning himself
with straw hat.
'Ihave come from the men in tho hay
field" said he. "They want another jug
of cool ginger and water, with plenty Of
molasses stirred in, Aunt Leeds. Good
morning, Miss Clark hope the dea-
con is quite well this morning2"
Abby Jane turned pink, and smiled
her most seductive smile.
ooh, quite So" she simpcred. T-1
only came on"
as it true, Eliza?' Mrs. Leeds asked,
sharply. "Have you been deceving me-
Are you play actress all this time2'
Eliza's large eyes turned slowly first tc
one, then to another of the little group.
She did not blush-it was rot her way
but the color cbbcd slowly away from
her cream pale check.
81 have been dccciving nobody" said
she. 81 am not al actress now. l have
been one. But did not like the life, Sc
l left it. If anyone had asked me
l should have told them long ago."
Mr.. Villars came forward and stood al
the girls side, as he saw his aunt shrinl
away.
"Well," he said, "even taking
, it all for granted, "where is tn,
harm2'
Charles! Charlesn cried Mrs. Leeds
putting up her hands with gesture o
warning. Remember poor Aviccw
at is because l remember her that
speak thus" said Mr.. Villars, calmly
II had an elder sister once" he added
turning to Abby Jane Clark, "who raj
away from home and became an actress
She had talents far above the average
but my parents were old-fashioned peo
pie, and their ideas ran in narrow grooves
They disapproved of the stage, so Alic'
left US. Whether she is dead or livin!
we know not, but wherever she is, l an
sure that she cannot but be good ant
true and pure"
Abby James eyes fell under his caln
glance. She was little sorry now tha
she had chosen to come hither and bea
the news herself.
Somehow, Mr.. Villars had taken it il
a different spirit from what she had an
, ticipated. And Eliza's soft, languidly
modulated voice broke on the constrain
ed silence like drops of silver dew.
81 have been an actaess, and perhap
| should still have teen on the stage, sh
said, chad it not been for circumstances
, My father dealt in stage properties, and
was brought up to the business, but still
never liked it. But one cannot easil
!, step out of the path where ones feet hav
E been placed, especially if one is We
=. man.
IT However, the turning point came g
lat Our leading lady fell sick of
o contagious fever, in lonely village wher
e we had stopped to play one night. Th
: manager packed up everything in panic
t and bade us all to be ready to go. toll
y him l could not leave Mrs. Montagu
Is alone. He said that if l left the con
J! pany thus, should never return to it.