The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-02-02

FEBRUARY ., l
said some inarticulate words, then kissed
her gently on her forehead, where the
pretty locks were parted-for Abby did
not wear a bang.
Don't cry. he whispered. I'll buy you
dozen china vases. I'd give you all the
world, Abby if could.
The tears were rolling fast down her
round cheeks now.
Will you come and live in the little
house with me, Abby? Will you be my
wife Say Abby, will you?
As he stopped to hear her answer the
white flower in his coat fell out. Il
smOte lhe girls heart, then dropped to
the carpet. She stopped and lifted II
without word. raised her shy, happy
eyes to his. then kissed the little blossom
tenderly.
On, don't. Abby, don't do that. Twas
Emma James. you see. Somehow | don't
like you to-l--
Emma James she said slowly, with
the radence dying from her eyes.
Yes, think heap Of it for her sake,
YOU know; but
And at that moment Mrs. Swift walk
ed in with civil greetings.
Good evenin', Orrin. All well to your
house, hope.
He went home slowly, with puzzled
expression on his manly face.
could swore she almost took me.
was his thought. What was 1t changed
her so all in IA minute! What could il
have been2
The summer glowed and deepened. II
reached Its height-then waned.
The birds carrolIed madly in the elm
trees-by August they had changed
their song. The crIckets piped with ON
nous dIsIinctnes- through the long, hot
afternoons. TIE locus uttered its hear,
less, shrili cry from the stone wall and
hedge. A srnse of sadness and of change
lay ON the hills and pastures. In Orrin's
heart winter had come already. His
mother now had no reason to complain
of his leaving her alone.
He was more silent than ever; and she
wondered, but asked 10 questions She
tried to cheer him up in every way she
knew, She made as many different
kinds of pies rs possible-IemOn,c ,custard,
berry and apple. She even concocted an
imitation mince turnOver-knowing his
fondness for the real thing-but it was
useless. He tasted them all with an alb
sent look in his blue eyes, pushed away
his plate and sighed.
II does beat all, she thought. I've done
my best. Doughnuts won't rouse him
up, and blackberry puddln' hain't no eff
rect. I'll try huckleberry shortcake,
So she put on pink calico sun bonnet
hang a two quart pail over her Land
';arred for the berry pasture.
III 90 TO D-acon Swift's patch first
he decided The best and sweetest al
ways grow there.
In he fields the sun lay warm on
1weetfern and on vines. A scent, born
IT rIpening fruit, and wild wood gr, en-
things basking in the warmth. filled all
he air, The apple trees stood each in n
title pool of shade. The summers spicy
bret ze swept over weeds and grasses
with langud sigh of pleasure.
Mrs. Pease bent above the loaded
pushes, u patient, homeIy figure. The
nard. black huckeberries ratified like
nail into the tin receptacle. and while
her fingers moved she thought (:
'Tain't much use after all. Abby Swift
she's at the bottom of it with her tr,tlrn'
ways. II ike SO give her a piece OF my
mind.
With the thought shadow fell across
he grass and slim, young figure stooh
beside her in white sun bonnet and
black gingham gown; girl unmistak-
,bly erect and trim. The pink and
white bonnets confronted each other
| Two kindly, dim eyes peerer out from
| he one, two sorrowful. dark ones from
he other. Mrs. Pease had turned with
anger in her heart; when she saw the
girls pale cheeks and altered look s. I
+oftenPd.
Why. Abby. for the lands sake, where
did you drop from?
came down to pick berries for tea.
How's your ma ? and the good woman
put on her spectacles for closer look at
ner companion.
She's tolerable well, said Abby, list
lessly
Pa well continued Mrs. Pease, re-
garding the girl sharply.
Pretty well, said Abby.
And how are you, child! Seems to me
YOU amt lookin' very peart.
I'm all right, said Mss Swift prompt
| ly. Huckleberries is plenty this year,
she added.
Orrln amt well just now, said the ola
,ady after pause.
The girls hand trembled: half the Der
rIes she held fell on the ground.
What's the matter with him she SAID
IN low voice. l amt seen him lately.
she said detianlly.
No. know you amt, said Mrs, Peast
with decision. Whose fault is it b?
'Tain't mine, said Abby. twitching
bush towards her.
'Tain't his, know for sartln. said the
mother, rafting her tin pail. He's th
most sot in his feelings of anybody ]
ever see. There amt no change in him
rhe girl that gets Orrln Pease II get
Ireadfui good husband. And the girl
nat trfles with hlm'Il live to repent it.
He ain one to be took off and on like
md old shoe, can tell you Abby Swift,
aud the time may come when he cant
be got back nOways.
Who wants him back cried ABBY,
her face in blaze. Not |, for one, and
she burst into tears. Between her sobs
she managed to say You think-he j.
nOt-the trltlin'-kind. knOw-better
He's been a-keeplng company with me
and all-the time-he cares-for-an-
Other-girl. He's good as said so !
Land O. Goshen! exclaimed Mrs. Pease
nearly opping her pail. l hain't never
heard of no such girl what be you
thinkin' of Abby Swift? It's yOu, and
nobody else, he's been folIerin' after
these two yrars. If ever man was dead
sot on havin' a gal. and that gal yOu, it's
Orrln. Why, he'll smile just to see your
pas old white horse comm down the
road; he's fairly tckIed to death to see
that critter amtlin' along. There, child,
for the lands sake, don't get no sech
foolish notion in your head. Only be
good to him; | beg and pray of ye to be
good to him. He'sdreadful tender heart.
ed and faithful, Orrin is, and the old
woman put her worn, thin hand on the
girls shoulder and looked at her be
seechingly.
With cry, Abby flung her arms
around her neck and kissed her.
Good to him! she said brokenly. Oh.
Lord, good TO him! and then che turned
and fled away over the frightened grass,
as fast as she could go.
At six o'clock the huckleberry short
cake lay smoking aud literally sprinkled
with sugar, on Mrs Pease's tea table.
Orrin helped his mother to large slice.
As hp handed il to her she said
picked them over in Deacon Swifts
pasture, Abby WAS there pickIn'. too.
Orrin looked up sharply. Was she! he
said.