The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-05-09
THE MAVERICK SILVER.
BY S. A. WEISS.

1t was a stormy November evening,
with high wind and pouring rain
such an evening as makes people APP
preciate the luxury Of a pleasant home
tireside.
The Misses Maverick felt very comfort
able as they sat in cushioned chairs, one
on each side of the glowing fire, while
between them the little tea-table cleaned
with polished silver which reflected back
the dancing blaze.
No plated ware was this, but, as the
ladies often boosted, solid sterling silver
which had belonged to their grandfather
and having nothing else to show in
token of what the Mavericks had been in
their day, they priced this battered silver
service above all things AS Miss
Maverick often observed, she would pre-
fer to lose the house over their heads,
though it had been left them by an aunt,
than part with one of those worn spoons
engraven with the Maverick monogram
''Alice seems very long about the tea, "
observed Miss Maverick, glancing at the
clock. ~ am almost sorry I allowed
Nancy to go to her sisters. 1t is incon-
venient, and l never feel safe without
her, in case of illness or accident. She
hasn't been long with us, but ! think
she's to be trusted"
"She is certainly sufficiently out
spoken" said Miss Myra, nodding her
little gray curls. "What do you think
she said to me today Miss Myra,
says she, if that young doctors toe
poor to support Miss Alice, as I heerd ye
say, couldn't ye let 'em have the rooms
across the hall that's no use to anbody but
the mice, and that 'ud save 'em theil
rent2 says She"
Miss Myra laughed little, timid laugh,
while she glanced half-wistfully at hel
sister,
But she, stiff and erect, gazed into tht
fire.
NANCY must be taught to know hel
place, she said, sternly. "And as t.
Alice, have already said that / viii
never consent to her marrying Doctor
Darrell. Think of our bringing up thai
child, educating and clothing her, in TIT
hope that she would make match worth,
of a Maverick, and the first thing that W,
know she wants to throw herself away Oh
poor doctor-the son of plain farmei
who has nothing to depend upon bu
is practice, if he ever gets one"
''He may succeed in time" said Mis-
Myra, who rarely ventured to differ from
her more strong minded sister 1.-THE,
say he's clever, and people seem to lik
him. would not be surprised if he ant
Alice marry at last. :"
SIN that case they know what the
have to expect of us' returned Mis-
Maverick, grimly. 81 will give the hous
to be an orphan asylum, and leave tn
silver and everything else to the HON
for Decayed Gentlewomen. 1t will b
better there than with common CROKER
ON Farmer barrels table. +"
AT this moment Alice entered, bearin
the tea tray, an Office which she ha
taken upon herself in order that Nanc
might have liberty to visit her sister.
She was a slight girl, with fair, swet
face, and gentle, appealing look, cor
trasting with Miss Mavericks determine
expression. She did not look happy.
How. could she, when she knew that
give herself to the man she loved woul
be to estrange from her the only relative
from whom she had found kindness an
affections
Alice poured out the tea, and the ladi,
had Just helped themselves to toast an
marmalade, when Miss Myra gave sligl
scream and pointed to the window opposi
which she was seated.
There between the curtains appeared
mans face, and as they looked he nodde
and beckoned.
"For heavens sake, Alice" said Mi