Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-06-07
Queen Nab.
FOR THE MoNIToRI

handsome, witty, careless, a farmer
by occupation, owner of the pretty
hoat and half the lakeside, and very
much in love with the bright face op-
posite him.
The maid was Miss Mabel Win
ters; handsome, witty and careless
also; farmers daughter from a
neighboring town, spending few
days by the lakeside, to visit an
aunt residing there, (also aunt to
Harry and to torment that last nam
ed person (whose promised bride she
was) almost to distraction.
As farmers life generally implies
ignorance and vulgarity, I would
state that both Miss Winters and
Mr.. Rowland had had all the advan-
tages of modern education, and
were we'll informed and even accom-
plished.
Just now the afternoon bids to be
delightful. The light wind stirs the
surface of the lake into tiny ripples,
and rends the grey veil which adorns
Miss Mabel's hat, flutterlng about
her face. The young athlete who
pulls the oars watches her with his
heart in his eyes, and thinks how
pretty she is. Now a twinkle comes
into his eyes, and he addresses the
grey veil:
''What is lacking to complete your
happiness this fine day, Nab? Some
thing | am sure, for there is frown
upon your face; and yet the day is
perfect, the lake as smooth as glass,
and here am I, your most willing
servant, ready to do your slightest
bidding. You have only to command,
and obey. Come, tell me of what
or whom you are dreaming !! and
assuming a despondent attitude he
begins to sing ''Bonnie Charles now
AVA"
Evidently either the song or the
singer are offensive to Miss Mabel,
for she flushes, and stamps her foot
and the frown deepens.
81 command you to be silent. How
dare you sing that song to me? You
are impertlnent, sir r!'
"Am [? Many shaft at random
sent, finds mark the archer little
meant That was a random shot,
ma bel, but | see it struck home.
Don't be angry. but tell me about
this Cousin Charlie, whose name has
power to make you blush ~
81 am not blushing. The wind
brings color to my cheeks. Charlie
is my mothers eldest brothers son.
/ have not seen him since we were
children until he came to visit US this
summer. He is handsome and gen.
tlemanly, and lots nicer than you, fol
he does not tease me as you do. You
have done nothing but tease me
since | came here, and / wish | had
stayed at home with Charlie
She looked very bewitching in her
role of injured innocence, but Harry
does not look at her. He is angry
now. Nicer than he Hasn't she
sang that same nice young mans
praises to him from sunrise until sun
set ever since she came to the lake
Hasn't he borne 1t like a martyr, and
made no sign of the twinges of jeal-
ousy her words have given him? Is
he 10 submit to such treatment for
ever? She is watching his moody
face little anxiously, but he rows
as if running a race, and does not
look up. There is cloud just peep
ing above the horizon, mot larger than
a mans hand. "Harry!" she cries
at last, ''where are you taking me to
1t will take you until midnight to
row back against the wind, and l do
not wish to 60 without my supper. "
Harry rests on his oars and lets
the boat drift. His wrath is begin
ming to cool a little, but he will let
her think he is angry still. He will
punish her little; so it is dark
frowning face that looks into hers.
"Really, Miss Winters, you bade
me be silent, and silent l have been.
You are hard to please. 1 doubt if
l could please you. Perhaps l had
better resign my position to Mr..
Charlie Bowers, who seems to find
such favor in your sight,
Again Mabel's eyes begin to shine.
"Poor Harry" she said, "you are a
victim to the green-eyed monster.
How you must enjoy it How Char
lie will laugh when I tell him p
''Don't mention that scoundrel's
name to me again! l will not listen
to such experiences from you. L"
"You will listen to what have a
mind to say to you, sir. What right
nave you to say what [ shall or shall
not do? Take me home this minute
Do you understand ?''
81 understand you perfectly: Miss
Winters
He picked up his oars, turned the
boat around, land struck out for home.
Nab wound the grey veil about her
face, and did not seem to notice that
he was there. Once, only, she spoke
as her oarsman got careless: "You
will run ashore on the rocks, and
drown US both," she said.
''I'll endeavor not to for Charities
sake" is the response.
They reached the landing, and
Harry. thinking that affairs were get