Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-01-18

the new u ills Miss Hannah had word
that he was coming. aud Mr. Sterne drove
over with him at supper time lie was in
haste, and stopped only To- say that his sis
ter was no better the fever was having a
T long run. Lucy was about worn out. too.
And this is the gentleman We spike of
/ Hannah, that you said might stop here a
] spell. think he's an old acquaintance Of
/ yours
And Mr. Sterne had driven of before
she had had one good look at the man be.
fore her He lifted his hat then and held
out his hand with "a smile.
'Nou used to know me. Miss Hoitt You
can't have forgotten how many times we've
trudged up hill TO school together, and how
many times you did my sums and helped
me out with my parsing, in the little red
school house over yonder. Or, if you've
forgotten, l haven't"
"Allen Maynard had no idea it was
you that was coming | didn't really
know who it was, come to think, but
didn't dream it was you ~
But you'll take me Just the same 2"
For answer she led the way into the
house, with pink cheeks, shaking off her
confusion as best she could.
The little home was very CHEEKY The
slant rays Of the setting sun streamed in
between the plants in the bay window and
gilded the bindings Of her books and made
great reflections from the polished andirons.
And in the next room was spread the dainty
tea table, with its crimson cloth, its glitter
ing glass, its tempting array, and its vase of
fiowers in the centre. For Miss Hannah
was persuaded that even those men" no
tlced and appreciated her flowers And
the fragrance of freshly made tea and the
odors Of browning biscuits, Of baked an
pies and other appetzng scents, were in
the air. And it was with pleasure not at
all concealed that the new hoarder took the
seat she assigned him 1t CHANGED to be
opposite her own 1t was natural that the
days should seem ~ 20 by faster than ever
now. They were very short, anyhow, aud
Miss Hannah was very busy. If any other
element gave new sweet zest to daytime
task and evening talk, she did not own it.
Allen Maynard was still good and true
and brave and generous though his hair
was turning gray, and he had been many
times across the continent twice across the
sea, once even around the world He had
many things to tell Of people and countries
and customs known to her only through
hooks And he liked books as much as she
did, too, aud brought some Of his own for
they read together
The work on the new barn dragged wear
ny, though Miss Hannah hardly noticed
that October was gone and November was
going, till one night she heard the men say
that they should just about get done when
the ground closed up And Mrs Sterne
came home her sister was couvalesrent,
but she was well nigh prustrated herself
with watching.
And NO" the carpenters would 20 in
week or two. at most and Miss Hannah be
gan to realize that the old life would soon
begin again for her, and that it would he
lonely. For Mr.. Maynard must 20. too
How should She let him know it Her hints
fell unhreded aud although the m,si spoke
of going home, and she of being alone once
more. she did not see that he noticed
But it was her turn to be surprised IA lit.
tie later, when he spoke Of his plans for the
winter, and Of business in EastoD
lie would not be near then, even t. drop
IN of AN evening She began to he a little
lonely already. He had had better posi-
ton offered him. maybe And then She
heard the men say that Mr. MAYNARD was