The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-04-26


''dreadfully gone feeling" as she after
ward described it. She took off the
soft layers Of white paper, out of which
fell the bill. She lifted it mechanical
ly. "Fifteen dollars" were the figures
she had seen on the box when Madame
took it out, and Ernest had said he had
not "ten." ooh, what wicked, sell
fish va Oh, my goo-oodness!' she
ended with gasp. Yes, there it was,
in good round fgurcs-$25!
To one imported straw bonnet. ....... SIS 90
To one bird on same. me..................1 1000
$25 90
Received payment.
25l PSI 90! 20! 25l 25l 25 They
danced crafty before her eyes as she
sank in a dazed little heap on the floor.
What would Ernest say2 She was but
II, and it never occurred to her unbusi-
nesslike ideas that Madame Vaurier was
taking advantage of her, and that she
could send the bonnet back. Aunt Va
lerie had money, but Ernest had forbid
den her ever to borrow penny of Aunt
Valerie on pain of his deepest disap-
proval. He was so proud and hon est,
and she, "nasty little selfish thing, had
dared to call him ''mean." "He was
worth hundred Jack Snellings, so
there!'
That very evening Jack called with
his sister, who was very Kind and cor
dial In her gentle, reserved way, and
tine invitations for Easter day were re-
newed with some well-bred insistence,
upon learning that her brother was alb
sent and Aunt Valerie was to join them
But there was good STUFF in Bab's
sturdy little body after all, and even
while her eyes took in the quiet cle-
gance of Miss Mildred Snelling's attire
s~ was Cd Zig - a spa.tah's
resolution. She would go, but
sho would not wear an un-
paid for bonnet. Somehow she felt bet
ter after that, and when telegram ar
rived before Sunday, saying that Ernest
would return the next Monday, she was
quite ready with smiling welcome to
greet the unexpected announcement of
Mr.. Smelling. Something Jack had
to say kept him in such ferment that
he would not wait, so he had called to
''put it to the test and win or lose."
But somehow matters did not progress
just as Jack had anticipated. For,
when he had told her in his most manly
way how dear she was, and all that he
wanted her to promise, Bah simply
buried her blue eyes in two dimpled
hands and sobbed: "You wouldn't!
Oh, you wouldn't, if you knew what,
what a ho-orrid little wretch l ami
And then, the ice once broken for the
revelation, she told Jack all the miser-
able tale. When she got through she
waited--not word came from Jack.
20 my, he was too disgusted with her
to speak!' Sne "knew he would be-"
and began to sob afresh. This was too
much, and Jack drew away
the hot hands and wet hand
kerchief to show her his
own eyes, dancing with suppressed
laughter. Didn't you get any mail
tonight9" lie sail at last. "No yes
not-that is, I got a-oh, l never
looked at it! Some one came in," she
stammered, wondcringly. "Well, go
and get it, please, now," said Jack, re-
leasing her, to run out aud return with
an envelope, which she toro hastily
open. "Mme. Vaurier's bill, receipt
cdr she gasped. ''What does it
meant" ''Read, and you will see,"
said Jack. "Mme. Vaurier happens to
be Mildred's millincr as we'll, and shs
made some purchase the ame date that
you did. The bookkeeper has mixed
the bills and sent them to the wrong
brothers, that is all. My sisters bill is
probably awaiting your brothers return
at his office. Suppose you let the mat
ter go, as it will be, hope, but short
time till may pay all your bills un-
questioned. That is for you to say"
1t was answered satisfactorily, no
doubt, for very rosy little Bab, gath
cred herself resolutely together half
hour later and insisted upon taking the
bill into the library, where it should
meet her brothers eye the first thing
upon his return. A little later she stood
In her clinging pale-blue dress, leaning
against the deep saloon hangings in the
archway. Her dark lashes, in startling
contrast with her yellow hair almos
rested on her cheeks, trifle pale now,
as she realized the serious and sacred
sweetness of the new tie.
SIT is kind of you Jack, to wish to
shield me from modification at my own
folly, but cannot wear it until Err
nest has forgiven me, and he is the only
one yet,' with a shy little emphasis),
"who has right to buy my bonuets
/ will not wear it tomorrow"
''Oh, yes, you will, little one" said
a voice behind the red draperies, as
they swung apart and Ernest Nixon
caught the startled girl in hi, arms as
he entered the room. at was rather
mean to listen, Jack, but finding bill
for my sisters bonnet with your sigma
turc on my table upon my premature
arrival tonight, l naturally looked up