The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-01-12

for something was always needed at the
house.
Certainly John was far too modest t.
dream that his presence could have tn,
remotest influence on her comings anC
goings.
But lie had not neglected his opportu-
mites, He had talked to her as he tied
up her sugar or rolled up her lining cam.
brio, end smiled at her over the kero.
sene can and molasses barrel, and Lottie
had not been prudishly backward in re-
spending. The first snow found them
very good friends indeed.
The one blot on this extremely pleas
ant cCmpanlonship was Mr.. Lamphlcl.
Whether Mr.. Lamphier was guilty o
the notion that his clerk was an unde
.irable party. and therefore dangerous
companion for his daughter, or whether
he was possessed of an ignohle fear OF
he loss of good housekeeper, OF
whether he had developed streak OF
the unreasOn and cOntrariness not en-
urely unknown to old gentlemen who
are undergoing their first touches OF
rheumatism and feeling the need of on
older pair of glasses-What Mr.. Lam
pliers motive was was doubtful.
But he was plainly opposed to jOhr
ISrockham's growing admiration for his
daughter.
The scene which took place one snowy
December morning had come to be a
common one.
LOttie came down to the store at half
past eight. Ii was earlier than she gen.
orally came, and the fact aCcOunted for
the blackness of Mr.. Lamphiers frown,
Her new brown dress was 6xtraordi
narily stylish and becoming, and John
fairly blushed with delighted admira
tion at the sight of her.
Lottie had nothing to get hut a pound
of rice, and it was impossible to be very
long about getting that But Lottle was
young person of ways and means.
Good morning. Mr.. Stockham, she
called out cheerily.
John was repIenishing the fire at the
back of the store.
Good morning, Miss Lamphier,' he re.
nued with subdued enthusiasm.
Mr.. Lamph ers sharp eyes were upon
him. and he did not venture to join her
What are these, pa: cried LOttie, i'm
medIately Do come and show me how
they work, Mr. Stockham.
They were patent mouse traps, 1t was
Improbable that Lottie was ignorant of
their function or that John believed thai
,he was, but he got himself to the front
of the store Nth alacrity
It's the lovellest weather, Mr.. Stock
ham, LJttie observed, forgetting the
mouse trap Elegant.
Is II: said John. not brilliantly but de-
votedly. looking his admiration on Lot
ties bright eyes and red cheeks.
Oh, yes: the SHOWS foot deep, and !
mad to wade, but like that.
Do you like walking alone-by your
self? John ventured.
Oh, well, | suppose it would be pleas
tnter with somebody alongside respond
I'd with her eyes on row of stove pol
Ish boxes,
should say so, decidedly. said John
growing bolder.
Stockham? MIR Lamphjer called snap
pishly, please attend to customers.
The customers consisted OF old Dan
Murdock, who came regularly to sit over
the stove, but never bought anything
nut John was Obedient.
There was period of silence and then
a olatter from the front.
OH. ROUuutSe. CTleu LUlLle, Ill lOIt
If horror, I've knocded down box OF
curtain fixtures. Mercy! do help me to
Dick them up.
John rushed TO her side. He did not
know whether she had knocked them
Fl purposely. but he hoped she had
Lotte knew. but she looked quite Inno
Gently regretful.
They CROPPED about together for the
missing curtain fixtures among the olO
boxes under the counter. Occasionally
their hands touched each other.
Wen never find them all, said Lottie
hope we won't I'm willing to keep
on hunting, John rejoined with sly.
shy glance at the pretty face near him.
I've got lot Of things to do at home
IaId Lottle; smiling back at him. an
rlmming q new hat
You couldn't improve on that one,
John put in with another admiring
glance.
And if I'm going to have rice pudding
for dinner it ought to be going on, sale
she musingIy.
But she kept on feeling simlessly
about for curtain fixtures.
I'd be glad to walk home with you il
my time was my own, said John, wist
fully.
You've never been to the house, hav,
your
You've never iugited me, John said
with gentle reproach. Not that II
dare to come if you did. he added will
faint motion of his head toward Mr.
Lamphier.
LOttie sighed.
If you could get an evening off, sh
suggested timidly. Pa isn't home unit
half past ten or so, and
John turned a radiantly grateful fac
upon her.
You know I'd be delighted, Miss Lot
tie. he almost gasped. I'd
Stockham2 MIR. Lamphier's voice wa
/ alarmingly near. want that box o
spices opened Immediately.
n Mr. Lamphier's head projected itsel
over the counter. He glared down a
!, the startled pair beneath 1t.
d John looked at Lottie. There was
/, daring light in his eyes.
IN come this evening,
He formed the words inaudibly wit
Z his lips. and hurried away.
e Mr.. Lamphier slapped the package c
rice on the counter frnwningIy.
Lottie brushed off her dress, read Just
:, ed her veil extracted piece OF citro
n from jar and nibbled at It and wer
y out with a parting smile for John STOCK
> ham.
If Lottie put on her best dress and be
prettiest ruchings and hersilver hair pi
and bracelets that evening after her p
had gone back TO the store, and if som,
body knocked at the kitchen door at
O'Clock, and if the kitchen resounde
for two hours thereafter with pleasar
chat and harmless bandinage and ligh
hearted laughter-zif these things o,
cured surely it was nobody's busines
don't need TO tell you how I've en-
i,yed the evening, Miss Lamphier, sal
John earnestly. as he rose at last liBgel
ingly. Iknow shouldn't have come
butt couldn't help il, and ! can't /
u | did.
Certainly not, sald Lottie, With prett
warmth.
Ishould like to came again, John pu
sued but Of course this isn't the rigt
= way
~ don't care so nowl said Lottie yer
"a stodtly. fpa will he SO unreasonable,
i'll doa't know what else we can do, Good
es ness, what is that, JohnF
ID She sniifed the air apprehensively.