The Penn's Grove record., 1886-09-18
JOBS RUSE.

A New England winter scene-the
hemlock forests all draped with ermine
fringes of snow-the hills and the val
leys white as if they were coated with
pearl, while from the farmhouse Chin
neys in the gray thickets of leafess
NAPLES under the rocks a blue spiral of
smoke went wreathing and curling W
into the steel January sky, and the sun
set reflected on the myriad tiny window
panes of the western front, made an
orange sparkle of brightness that sup
piled the otherwise lacking element OF
color to the frigid landscape.
Farmer Westerbrook had just brought
in an armful of snow-crusted logs from
the wood-pile at the north end of the
house, throwing them down on the ample
stone hearth with a noise like a small
earthquake, when Sibyl Harrington
started up.
Give o'clock Oh, / hadn't an idea
it was so late. l must be going"
"Allow me to accompany you, Mis-
Harrington"
"You will let me see you home.
Sibgl?"
Captain Meredith and Max Crossley
both spoke at once, and rose simulta
neously-but Sibyl shook her head.
81 would prefer to walk alone" SHIT
said, gayly.
And about the sleighing party to
morrow night?" said Max a%nxiously.
IL have half promised Captain
Meredith" said the village beauty, hel
long eyelashes dropping, and a delicate
shade of rose suffuslng her cheek.
"But, Sibyl, l thought it was an UNI
derstood matter between you and me.
three good weeks agoln Max, exclaimed
with contracting brows.
"Was it? l am sure l had forgotten
itl'
Max was silent. Captain Meredith''
smooth, softly-intoned voice filled up 1.-THE
silence.
81 exact no PROMISE" he said gal
lantly; "but if | am not punctual to the
hour and the spot, Miss Harrington may
draw her own conclusions"
And Sibyl went out, her light foot
steps making a low, pleasant music OF
the brittle snow.
She was very pretty, this gazelle-eyeo
New England damsel, with big blu
eyes turning to limped purple whenever
she was in the least excited; hair short.
hung in a golden fringe over her broad,
low forehead, and the sweetest of rosy
mouths, with three sentinel dimples Oh
cheeks and chinl Max Crossley had
loved her ever since they were children
together, and Captain Meredith, who
had come to pass the holidays with hli
cousins, the Westerbrooks, had beel
caught in the meshes of that bronze
gold hair and the interlacing network OF
the lashes that overhung the purple-blut
eyes, and had prolonged his visit int
January.
Upon my word, she's a regular
beauty" said the captain, staring
through the tiny window-panes at thu
~retreating footsteps of Miss Harrington
Max Crossley looked quickly up a
him, as if he would have particularly
liked to knock him over the handiron!
in among the logs; but perhaps III
thought better of it, for he ~refraine(
from any such demonstration.
"a beauty" went on the Captain
'sand it's a thousand pities she should
be thrown away on any of the countr!
pumpkins who vegsate among thes'
wildernesses. Job, you young villain
are those boots of mine blackened YETI
Farmer Westerbrook's hired, boy, WHIT
had just come in to warm his empurplet
hands at the merry red blaze, looked
glum.
"No, they amt" said Job brusquely
"Well, what's the r~eason?"
"'Cause | amt lad time"
''See that you find time, then, an(
that quick, tool" said the Captain.
And Job glowered after him, as HI
went gayly up the stairs.
II just wish l had the seryin' of hin
out" said Job, gloomily. "It's Job
do this and JOB, do that, and JOB
where's the warm water, and job
what the deuce do you mean tby lettin
my fire go out2' as if / was his bono
lave, and not a red cent has he guy M
yet-no, nor so much as pleasant word
1 wonder if he means to stay her
always"
"You and l are equally partial to him
job" said Max Crossley, laughing.
II heerd him talkin' with Miss Siby
about goin' sleigh-ridin' tomorrow
night" said job, shrewdly. 81 SHOULD
jes' like to put Kicking Billy in tn
shafts-I would, if it warn't for Mis-
Sibyl. He don't know Aothin' abou
horses, that there militia Cap'n don't.
And Job chuckled.
II say, Mr.. Crossley," he resumed
"why don't you get beforehand VIII
him-she's only daZzled like"
Max Crossley frowned slightly; hon
est Job was not exactly the kind 0
Ganymede he cared to have NEEDLE wit
his love affairs,
"Miss Harrington must choose TO
herself, job" he said; and Job wen
back to his work, secretly wondering
how a young lady, gifted with ordinar,
common sense, could hesitate foI a mo
ment between the Captain and MI. Ma
Crossley.
The next night came-a night OF o.
nights propitious for sleighing expedl
tons and rustic love-making, the road
delightfully."- hard and well-packed, ant
a glorious full moon shining down a
whitley as if a rain of silver wer'
deluging the whole world
III aaNa