Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-05-28

structed. The soft wiud came in through
shutters that opened at Just the right angle,
upon just the most attractive view OF lawn
and sky.
The old gentleman vouchsafed the remark
that she did seem to understand her business,
and somehow the lunch and the air and the
| general shaking up had given him an appe-
lite he felt as though he could relish good
square meal, and he wanted dinner at . o'clock
sharp-and he didn't want her to ask him
what she should get, either.
When the hour came the meal was ready
With Just what fear and trembling II had
been prepared, no Que knew. The blue
eyed, wondering Johanna looked in amaz,.
ment and admiration at what seemed to her
preternatural wisdom, little dreaming Of
the anxiety and apprehension that was hid
den under Elizabeths gently positive man
ner nor yet Of the faithful adherence to
rules laid down in certain thick, comforta-
BILE looking book that she kept referring to
now and then.
The dinner was a success. The orotchety,
irascble old Adam limped bis way out to the
table, and the invalid sister from the room
above, bringing with her a combined odor of
Ponds extract and camphor, came also Both
smiled at the inviting table, and both did
justice to its merits.
When it was over Mr.. Bailey said Miss
Dale, consider yourself engaged to stay here
the rest Of your natural life. I'll pay you
just what you say"
Don't you think" said Elizabeth, "that
you better give me a weeks trial before you
decide 2"
mo ma'am, 1 don't young woman who
can get one such dinner as this can get another
like It, and you don't escape me. l knew
when you we're in my room putting things
10 rights that you we're a remarkable woman.
You did one thing that convinced me that you
had sense and had il about you"
what was that ?"
"You moved my trunk out TO sweep behind
it, and you did not slap it up tight against
the wall again, after this fashion Of all the
women | have ever seen. You seid TO Johan.
ma, The trunk cannot be opened convenient
ly il It is set back close l was startled by
such practical wisdom and wondered how you
had attained it,"
Il have wrestled with the hsrd-hearted,
thick-headed chambermaid to some purpose"
said Elizabeth. Wisdom so severely won is
apt to stay with us, you know"
So it came that she was engaged at what
seemed to her very generous terms, and when
she went to her room that night 1t was with
mingled surprise and gratitude that she look
ed out on the STILL calm, hopeful night that
seemed so far from the dreary, despairing
morning She wondered il she was really
the same woman who covered beneath Mrs.
Browns keen eyes in the comfortlts3 atmos-
phere of that third story back room. She
wondered il she were really the woman who
that morning left all her earthly possessions
as security for cold coffee and tough beef
consumed.
Then she said to herself II will do the
best csn-no mortal can do more. l sup
pose l am something of fraud, but if l eau
cook to suit this pair Of notionsl semi-inva-
lids what does it matter whether I've gradu-
ated from a cooking school or not"
She fell asleep and dreamed Of flowing
streams Of amber coffee, of mountains that
we're made Of roasts ready for the oven. But
when the day came she was ready for it's du
ties and met and conquered them. OF course
there were trials there were days when Jo-
hanna's stupidity was thing to excite pity
one moment aud wrath the next days when
the chimney smoked aud the stove wouldn't
draw when the inherent contrariness of all
things animate and iuanimste bore down up
on her soul with a force that was overwhelm-
ing and not to be disputed. But it was one
of her rules never under any provocation to
indulge in recital of these troubles TO either
MIR. Bailey or his sister. To the housekeep-
er who appreciates the privilege OF freeing
will have in it something of the superhumAn.
But she had learned the effectiveness of 81
lence.
The summer sped on. Little by little her
faithful Johanna grew thoughtful aud pains
taking, SO that some care was lifted from her
shoulders. She had been so patient with that
damsel that an absolute and abject devotion
was her reward. Little by little the secrets
OF the cook books were revealed to her, till
she attained a comfortable faith in her own
abilities. The receipt that at first was an ex-
pertinent grew soon to be a certain triumph
in her hand, so she did not lie awake nights
in dread lest the next days dinner should be
q failure, but with faith born of her works
slept the sleep of the victorious She made
the house pleasant aud bright and CHEEKY.
Without being terror to every heck of dust
or every newspaper that dared to get itself
out of position, she made the room wear an
attractiveness that comes from knowing how
to make neetness and order servants instead
Of masters.
Old Adam Bailey, now quite recovered
from his lameness, coming back from his
business in the city, would pause at the door
OF the pleasant parlor and say to himself,
This is something like"
The delicate invalid sister would sit in the
easy chair in the bay window and say, My
dear Miss Elizabeth, the secret of home
making is with you. You ought to be in
home of your own, and 80 told Adam last
night"
There was an old piano in the house this
had been tuned, and in leisure moments Eliz.
abeth brought back the old cunning to her
fingers This was only when the old Adam
was gone and the sister in the quiet of her
room then she played and sang, something
as in the early days-days of which she new
er spoke to any one. One day she sat in the
early autumn, singing. In the kitchen she
knew that the faithful servant was carrying
out her careful instructions The house was
in order, the bright fire on the CRATE, the
blossoming plants in the window, the cat on
the hearth, all giving the room a sweet, home
like look. 1t seemed very pleasant as she
looked around. She said to herself, 1T is
pleasant, it looks like home-but it is not
home, for it takes more than these to make
that place for any" Then she began to sing,
saying, 1--WE must not dream of the impossi
BILE, We must not mourn even though we do
not forget"
Then she heard the step of Mr. Bailey,
and wondering what had brought him home
30 early, stopped her song, rose, closed the
piano, wheeled his easy chair up to the CRATE,
and said, 'Are you i'll that you've come home
so early2"
mo, can't man come home early if he
pleases ?"
Certainly man can and a man may, so
he may" she responded, laughingly.
"What do you stop playing aud singing
for the moment l come in sight 2"
"Chiehy because 1 am not sure that you
care for music"
"Well, do, and l want you to understand
that you are not to shut the piano the instant
you hear my step. It's just possible that
can appreciate something beside good din.
ner. Do you understand p
"You make your meaning very clear
understand perfectly"
Zone thing more I'd like to have you do
I'd like to have you marry me-will you 2"
"RO, no !" she cried, mot for a thousand
worlds !" then she paused, seeing the hurt
look in his face. 10, forgive me, you are
good and xii nd and did not mean to be cru
el, only"
'Say nothing about it," he answered.
you've been honest a man would be a fool
who would ask the second time when a wom-
ans answer came so quickly and spontane-
ously. You showed your heart, aud that's
Just what l wanted to see-only l own the
sight isn't Just what I'd like. We won't say
any more about it, but wen go and have din
ner."
That evening they sat in the frelight and
Elizabeth told him her simple little story
that she had been engaged in her early girl
hood, that she and her lover had quarrel in
which she sent him from her that troubles