The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-12-19
SKOWIEGAN, MAINE THURSDAY DECEMBER

cessiOfi Of stores in winch hundred, Of pretty
girls had shown him millions Of articles: and
In which cashh9ys hal rushed and h1orwalk
ers had perspired, aud sealskinned shoppers
had Chartered deafeningly. and IN which he
bad grown more and more hopeles,ly lost
He had even drifted, dazedly, into a toysLop
and looked at rubber dolls and wooden sold.
iers and tin horses and hannel dogs on wheels
And he had come home wearied, rumped and
empty handed
He sat down with his chin In his hands.
thoughtfully. He reflected that his impulse
had been foolish one and that the abortive-
ness Of his effort was not 10 he regretted.
Undoubtedly he should be possibly soon
to indulge the fatherly warmth Of his do
sire in the presentation Of handsome wed
ding gift. Mr.. Prouty informed himself that
he was exceedingly happy in the contempla-
ton OF this prospect; he smiled broadly and
rubbed his hands lie was obliged 70 keep
his mind faithfully upon the smile and the
attrition of his hands in order 10 continue
them, but he performed them with mechan-
ical regularity for some time.
At l2 O'Clock on Christmas day Mr.. Prouty.
his fine form clothed in holiday attire and
patton, awaited his three expected guests in
his study
Below, the parlors were th' .wn open, a
long vista OF comfortable elegance with
flowers in fancy baskets and leaping CRATE
fires; and the darkened dining room shone
with the bright array OF silver and the
sprinkling Of tinted fairy lights and the scin-
tillations of the laden sideboard; and the
o,lpr # bo III.
range mingled with the aroma of the plum
pudding steaning above it, and gently float
ed in.
The bell rang, and Mr.. Prouty, pacing hi,
study floor with an irregulari;y of pleasure.
BILE emotion, hurried downward
Selkirk I'routy was removing his outer gar
meats before the hall mirror He wore a
rundown collar of some width, covered in
tn rear by his falling locks, and joined in
front by blue silk scarf; and he carried a
package He greeted Mr. Prouty, standing
in speechless establishment, with gracious
smile.
Il altered my arrangements y he explained,
with henignity, land resolved to join you at
your Christmas dinner. ALI rather cozy,"
he admitted, rubbing his hands before the
CRATE, with an unbending Of complacent be-
nevolence. Miss Rogers has not arrived |
have slight token TO present to herr He
unwrapped volume of his poems and placed
it at "A conspicuous point on the mantel.
Mr.. Prouty opened his lips forcibly, with a
gasp, and strove to speak. He assured him
self, strenuously, that nothing more crafty
ing could possibly have occurred. 1t would
be an excellent opportunity for the further
ance of his hopes regarding Polly; possibly
the occasion would bring about happy cul-
mination. He reproached himself for having
omitted Selkirk from his primal arrange
ment.
II wish to see Miss Rogers privately, by
the way, Selkirk continued II have mat
ter to discuss with her which has been for
some time upon my mind, and it occurred to
me to embrace this opportunity"
"Certainly certainly" Mr.. Prouty muir
INJURED. He looked ut his nephew hopefully
His well poised dignity, his self centerel man
illness, had never appeared to greater advan-
tage, surely. If there were a choice between
his nephews as regarded their fitness for Polly,
Mr. Prouty believed that Selkirk was that
choice.
"If some little management proves neces-
sary for my seeing Miss Rogers privately"
Selkirk added, spreading his blue scarf, Il
may depend on your assistancein
"As.'ir.dly nssnre;,,ly,n Mr. p9-o1IttJ- 10
sponded, with hurried warmth.
"Ah, thanks!n Selkirk sank into chair in
a languor of self recollection
The bell pealed; Mr. Prouty FASTENED into
the hall with a beating heart-and stopped in
1t was Bub Todd and a messenger boy
large and very carefully cnveloped
burden.
Didn't look for me, ell = said Bub, remov-
ing his pale gloves "Well, changed my
plans and concluded I'd drop in. Just put on
another plate, Molly he remarked to the
retreating girl.
1.-TWO, Mary" Mr.. Prouty faltered
Bub glanced into the parlor; frowned at
the disclosure OF his cousin, and lowered his
voice.
"She amt here yeti Brought her little
present; little thing I've been doing" He re-
moved its wrappings and placed it in an ad
vantageous light against the hat rack.
"How's thatf' He rubbed his dangling glass
with his scented handkerchief and seized Mr..
Prouty's lapel. "See here, want to see her
when she comes; want to have n confab about
n little matter. Keep the gang off and give
me chance, will you-ehi'
Mr.. Prouty hesitated, bewilderedly. Bulbs
his offhanded spoutaneity
struck him with fresh force, and favorably.
Perhaps Polly's clinging sweetness - Mr..
Prouty was certain that Pollys nature was
one of clinging sweetness-would crave more
warmth, more demonstratiye ardor than
Selkrk would be likely to lavish upon her;
surely-Bub would make her
happier.
"Ehi' Bub repeated, sharply.
"Why, yes; to be sure, my boy said Mr..
Prouty, with dazed cordiality, and Bub saun-
tered into the parlor, yawning
The bell jingled again, this time with a
gentle timidity. Mr.. Prouty felt a thrill,
half of poignant pleasure and half of painful
apprehension tinsle through him. He sent
forward at an unsteady pace.
Yes-it was Polly. She met Mr. Prouty
with pleasant smile, and pretty flush, and
laid her gloved hand in his, with her blue
eyes swiftly raised to him; and covered his
agitated silence by chatting brightly of the
day and the weather as she laid aside her
jacket and rolled up her gloves and put
them in her mnf, and pinned her veil
to her hat, and pressed her dextrous hands
to the shining blonde aureole above her
face, and went with her host into
the warm, fire lighted. flower scented parlor
She started back in shy alarm at the
sight of the two masculine figures within.
Selkirk rose hastily from the chair in which
he was half doing Bub bounded from the
sofa upon which he was unconventionally re-
clning. They hurried forward simultaneous
sweetly impartial smile Bub looked ut Sell
Ii,l, frou-nfurltr. SnlLi rly raftrunl tho lDOE
with naughty GOODNESS.
at is delightfully."- beautiful day, Miss
Rogers he remarked drawing a chair near
to her.
at is very pleasant " said Polly.
THE glad Christmas-tide-wh does not
welcome itl" Selkirk demanded He looked
suggestively and severely at Mr., Prouty, and
Mr. Prouty, with sudden startled remem-
brance turned hastily to Bub.
"I-I have some engravings l think you
have not seen, Benjamin. he said. They
are in the back parlor.
Bub had slapped down a chair at Polly's
vacant side.
Jolly day, Miss Rogersf' he observed.
They are from recent French paintings,
Benjamin." said Mr.. Prouty, anxiousy.
.You will be interested in examining them"
I'm aWiully Elau you TO on manu-, hls
Rogers" said Bub, turning upon Mr.. Prouty
with an amazed and threatening glare
at is day of bright associations and
blessed hopes, Selkirk proceeded.
II have not shown you my new edition OF
Carlyle Selkirk," Mr.. Prouty fnltered,
struck by wave Of confused recollection.
"If you will come upstairs for moment to
the library
at is a season of peace and love-" said Sci
kirk with a stern gaze Of wrathful consterna-
ton at Mr. Prouty.
You're looking tip-top, Miss Rogers" Bub
put in.
'They include some Bonheurs and Meisso-
niers, Benjamin" said Mr.. Prouty, dazedly.
III you will come into the back parlor"-
Bub rose to his limited height with VIC
lent jerk Mr.. Prouty wiped the perspira-