The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-07-18
THE DRESSMAKER

LOS, Im up early" said Mrs. Ford
leaning over the side paling to talk to he
next neighbor. ''Pm going to have ,
dressmaker to-day to start my Henriett,
cloth. She lives in town'-Mrs. Ford
charming home was little out-ssant
my brother jim has gone for her will
the dog-cart. Stowe is her name;
haven't even seen her. sent Bob's nurs,
girl to engage her."
"Stowea There, now, 1 guess you've
oone III" sald Mrs. Sayles, raising her in
quisitive little upturned nose, witt
DISK enjoyment to Mrs. Ford's tai
blonde prettiness. "It isn't best'to have
her If there's young man In the house.
They all fall in love with her so they saw.
ohe's pretty, you know, in that snowy
sort OF way-red hair and pink cheeks
and l guess she knows it. Mrs. Ritter
had her while back, and Paul Ritter
was crazy after her; and they say she
tlirted with him awfully, and then threw
him over. presume she thought she
could do better. He ism tso well off as your
brother Jim, for instance" said Mrs.
Sayles, shrewdly smiling.
"But Jim," said Mrs. Ford, serenely-
Jim never falls in love. HI never has
once, do you know2 Think it's because
he's so superior to all girls. Oh, YES, of
course, l should feel dreadfully! | feel
that Jim is on my responsibility while
mes with me, and l should be broken
hearted. But there isn't the least danger
with jim"
The dog-cart was rolling in the drive,
and Mrs. Ford went across the smooth
lawn, with six-year-old K oh at her
heels.
Jim-tall and blonde, and handsome
like his sister-was driving slowly to the
horse-block. He was turned souarelv
toward the dressmaker, and his gaily-
enthusiastic tones were audible to Mrs.
Ford.
he did not appear to know when he
mad reached the block; he talked alb
sorbedly on. Mrs. Ford was thankful
That Mrs. Sayles was out of hearing.
"Jim" she said.
. And Jim jumped out, lifted the dress
maker down, presented her to his sister,
walked with her up to the porch steps
and pulled forth chair. He was brisk
and smiling.
Mrs. Ford sighed with relief that the
bay window hid them from Mrs. Sayles
We've nice view from here. don't
you think, Miss stowe9" said jim, eagerly.
"Those woods over there, with the break
where the sky"
~ have everything ready for YOU, I
think. Miss Stowe" said Mrs. Ford, dis
tlnctly, and took Miss Stowe indoors.
She intended sewing in the dining
room--it was large and cool and LIGHT.
but it was on that account that Jim was
wont to lounge there. The upstairs hall
would do. There was window at the
back.
She took Miss Stowe up stairs,
TITS rather warm" she apologized,
''but 1t will be cooler later"
It would not be cooler before five
o'clock, but Mrs. Ford congratulated her |
self warmly. For Miss Stowe was pretty.
with 1.-THE form in blue gown. and |
hair not red but darkly auburn. and
cheeks not vulgarly pink but softly tinted, |
md bright eyes.
ut Is very comfortable" she said,
cheerfully. ~ will take your measure. |
Shall you like basqueG"
And Mrs. Ford forgot jim in pleasur-
able plannings.
But at the end of fifteen minutes there
was clatter below and rush I'D stairs.
"Why I've been looking for you every
~here!" said Jim, in injured tones, lift
ing Rob from his shoulder to the ton
He sat down in the window seat. Miss
Stowe sat near the window.
els there anything you want, Jim2m
'ald his sister, with severe eyes upon
him.
But it was doubtful whether jim heard.
he was springing after the spool Miss
Stowe had dropped.
II want to show you that old coin l
old you about, Miss Stowe" he declared.
'See-H1O. Oh, stop that shipping and
ook at It'll"
But Miss Stowe, smiling and family
lushing, looked at it over her shipping.
"Who drove into the yard2" Mrs. Ford
demanded, cutting gore at wrong
ngle with nervous hands.
ooh, jeff Lowry must tell Won
bout JEFF, Miss Stowe. He's been wear
ng beard for two years, and he went
lown town the other day without it, and
he fellows didn't know him. He's
81 thought you were going driving
nth hint" Mrs. Ford interposed.
"Oh, it's too warml' Jim responded.
5 blandly as though rafting down shady
Dads were indeed warmer than the up
tairs hall.
His sister watched him wofully. jim,
liking to young lady, with smiling
usto and fascinated gaze, and foregoing
drive and the morning papers and his
igar for this alonel
He had stayed in his room for three
ours to escape the Kenny girls, and !
.me nigh to dying the evening Miss ,
Larkham had called. The Kenny girls ,