The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-26


worn, while she sadly dropped the little
pearl brooch once more into her
pocket. "What shall l do3" asked
she.
Well, you and I will choose" said
Mrs. Parker. "Thcre is the best parlor
to scrub and dust, and the front windows
to clean, and there's apple pies and
sponge cake to make in the kitchen.
baked the biscuit before breakfast this
morning. Now, which would you pre-
fer2"
ooh, I'd rather be cook!" said Patti.
~ can make pies with any woman, and
I know famous new recipe for sponge
cake, and only eight eggs to the pan
Just lend me white apron, will your
"You're the dearest little girl in all the
world" said Mrs. Parker, kissing her.
"And the very next time that you have
a raft of unexpected company, I'll come
over to your house and lend hand, see
if don'tm
And Patty, rolling out crisp crust, unused
on the future. She did not belong to
the race of prudes who affect horror of
matrimony. In her mind, happy mar
ried life was the crown of all earthly
bliss. Old Aunt Judith was kind to
her, after her own Grabbed fashion; but
Patty felt that her whole existence was
becoming dwarfed and blghted.
1t was quite true what Mrs. Markoc
had said-Patty was belle. She had
plenty of gallants at every gathering.
She was never allowed to occupy the
position of wall flower when others
danced. She had plenty of company
home from singing schools, spelling
matches and evening church. But no
one had ever asked her to change her
single state. And in anguish of spirit,
Patty repeated to herself the words OF
Mrs Markoe's song, "Why don't the men
propose9'
II can't 60 out and ask them," said
Patty to herself, as she ran the notching-
iron deftly around the edge of the
pie that was first ready for the
oven. II wonder if that's what they
cxpect2'
But she frightened up little when a
stream of gay young people came up the
hill, from fern-hunting expedition
in the woods, and paused at the open
kitchen door.
1--WE stopped for you, Patty" cried
they, "but your Aunt Judith said you
were gone out"
eyes, said Patty, as she brought them
a gourd shell of fresh, cool water to
drink. "Tm Mrs. Parker's cook now"
She uttered the words laughingly, and
gave them never second thought; but
they were destined to bear fruit in the
near future, as is the case with many a
word that is spoken one moment and
forgotten the next.
"Well," it's shamer' said Lucy
Whitman; "such a pretty girl as Patty
Wallace is"
"That old aunt of hers must be reg
ular crab," said Phiny Duane, 'to
turn her out into the world in that sort
of way"
The sponge cakes proved success, the
, apple pies perfect triumph, and Patty
Wallace was sitting on the little
front porch at home, tired, yet exul-
tant when there came footstep up the
hill.
ooh, Mr.. Jeffreysl" cried Patty, rec
ognizing him in the starlight.
'Pve just come from Mrs. Parker's, v
, said the young man. 81 expected to find
you there"
''Did you3" said Patty, rather sur
prised.
"Patty, II don't know how to begin,
but should be proud it you would con
sent to marry me-" blundered on tht
honest young fellow.
"Oh, l couldn't!" said Patty, Thankful
that the soft, purple dusk hid
!, the blushes on her check. ooh, thanl
you very much; but l never could d.
u It,"
n "Are you quite sure, Patty3"
"Yes, quite; but thank you all thu
}. samcn
t, Patty tremblcd all over, and her hear
beat as Mr.. Jeffreys slowly retraced hi
steps down the wooded s'ope. Her frs
d offer of marriage, and yet she felt actu
ally as if she had committed a crime.
q ''But one can't marry the first MAJ
A that asks one," she reasoned within her
u self
If 'Patty!"
1t She stated. Here was Guy Ethereg
4. standing close to her.
Had he dropped from the clouds3
er "Dear me!' she exclaimed, invoun
tarily.
d "What's this about Mrs. Parker2"
uCUlduucu.
"About Mrs. Parker2' repeated Patty
s. ooh, was there, helping her to-day
le Whyl'
81 won't have it, Patty" said Ether
lie ege, imperiously. '1f you're going t
help anybody, you must help mel Yo
must marry me, Patty!
:" Patty opened her lovely, wine-brow
te eyes very wide.
: "AIust Ip said she, with rather
at startled air. ''But L"
"a letter for Miss Wallace, please,
. said Ned, the little colored boy who ra
or errands for the village hotel. "Please
it missy, rs to wait for an answer"
~ II must see what this isl" said Patty
with appealing glanccs towards Ethel