Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-11-25

how she had ever lived all those
dreary, dragging years in the ole
farmhouse at home.
And best of all, Stephen Ellsworth
had been so often to see her, and ia
ken her out sleighing and to the
picture galleries and theaters, cal
on dear old Frances account, OF
course she added with a spice Of
merry mischief.
She could not say enough in praise
of Stephen Ellsworth. He was SO
handsome, so stylish; the old Els
worth mansion on State street was so
elegant; he sent her such exquisit
cut flowers and baskets of fruit!
And Frances, reading those letters
at home after her days work Of
school teaching was over, tried to re-
joice in her young sisters happiness.
''Mother," she said one day, 81
should like to see the child in her
new dresses. 1 think I'll go up to
Albany and surprise her. Lucy
Lampson will take the school for
week. Dear little Lizzie! how as
tonished she will be-
"Wife," said Farmer Crest hoarse-
ly, when Frances had gone up to bed
full of her new plan, 81 don't knows
we ought to let her 60"
''Why not, Obed?''
81 saw DR.. Jones' son this morn
ing. He is just home from the AL
bany Medical College, and he says
every one is talking of our Lizzie's
engagement to Cap'n Ellsworth
"Obed Crest, you're a-dreamin' p
81 wish l was, wife-I wish / was
But it's only what we'd ought to
have expected. Lizzie is as pretty
as picter, and as frothy as bowl
O. soapsuds, and brimful O mischief
into the bargain. And Ellsworth's
only a mortal man, after all. Fran
ces ought to have married him year
ago, when he wanted her to do so,
only she wouldn't leave us until we'd
paid the mortgage on the farm, and
got even with the world
"But, Obed, what are we to do?
can't tell her !'' sobbed the old lady.
"Nor [ neither. There's no help
for it, wife; she's got to find it out
for herself"
And he let his wrinkled forehead
fall into his hands with a groan.
Just then the door opened.
A tall slight figure came in like
gliding shadow.
GIVE heard it all, father" said
Frances, ''and you mustn't blame
either Stephen or Lizzie. lit was
only natural. He has grown tired of
waiting for me. And Lizzie is very
lovely. can't blame any man for
wanting to make her his wife. /
shall go to Albany all the same, and
tell them not to mind me. You
know with rather forced SMILEY
s'people always said l was cut out
for an old maid. -and-we
three can be very happy here at
home all our lives can't we?
And here poor Frances broke down
and cried bitterly.
''Don't mind me-" said she. 81
shall be quite used to it after awhile"
1t was a brilliant January after
noon-the ground covered with snow,
the sun shining with arctic splendor,
and all the streets musical with the
joyous chime of sleigh bells-when
Frances Crest arrived at Mrs. Rig
ney's house in Albany.
"Why-Francie- !" ejacula-
ted the good lady, els this you?''
81 came to surprise Lizzie, Aunt
JOSIE" said the traveller, smiling
family.
"Well, it will be SURPRISE" said
Mrs. Rigney. $50 right up, dear.
She's in the parlor with"
"With Capt. Ellsworth
elbow on earth did you know"
cried the comfortable elderly lady.
''Has she written to you?"
mo, not word," Frances an
answered. ssBut l know it all, new
ertheless."
She went on and knocked at the
parlor door.
"Come in, called Lizzie's soprano
voice; and with a sudden quickening
of her heart, she obeyed.
Was that little Lizzie standing by
the fire, one dainty, slippered foot on
the fender, her cleaning silken
gown held up by slim white hand,
while her exquisit profile was outlin-
ed against the ruby velvet of the lam
brequin?
She looked more like princess,
fairy queen. In this atmosphere of
change and happiness she had fairly
blosomed out like rose in mid-June.
And that tall figure in the shadow
beyond
s'Frances Dear, dear Frances p
In a second Lizzie was in her
arms.
s'You got my letter, love-the let
ter L wrote yesterday-the letter that
told you ALP"
81 have received no letter, Lizzie.
/ left home early this morning. But
where is Capt. Ellsworth p
"Here, right here before your eyes.
Come here, Clarence, and let me in