The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-01-10

ad'ro necessity to havo to come back |
"But they'll be having dinner, 70
say~ said Mr., Hill, "And thry'il es
A. that long table, all tcgetherl Wei
III get seat ~ you, by hook or crook.
but dinner was late, The flddlcrs ha
arrived, and been pressed into early &c,
vice, The platform was filed wit
waltzers-to get up their appctites, the
said, while their elders waited hunaril
Tor that process to be completed.
AM said the doctors nephew
1lithely. swim you give me the first
Miss Gilman, and as many more as YOU
card will permitt"
They were laughing at that as the;
went toward the platform. But the
did not ascend it. Philo stood ON N,
lower STAIN like a spider in wait for
ITS about time, seems to me" h,
observed, his dull face lighted by a sparl
OF anger. "i've ben looking round TO,
you for two hours. guess IN hav,
the first lance, if you Just as lief.n
There was sharp resentment in hi
pa!!e,ia he'd eyes.
Cora bit her red lips, her face aflame.
But she spoke quietly.
r,m INT. Wilson was my escort, Mr.
Hill" she said Il Is
She could not finish. She tried ia
smile, put her lips only trembled.
The electromagnetic looked Mr.. Wilson
over from head to foot, and bowed
silently, little paler than his wont, and
turned away.
VI didn't mean to make YOU mad. "
said Philo, better disposed now that he
triumphed. "But l was kind o. nut
cut. Your folks didn't like it, neither
l told 'em you was off with him. Wal,
let's have a waltz" he concluded, con.
scious of extreme magnanimity.
II shall not Dance" said Cora.
Her pretty eyes blazed scornfully upon
him. He had told "her folks She
could have laughed if she had not been
so holly miserable. What did he think
"You will find me a seat if you
please" she said.
But Fhilo' Gld not hear her. His ewes
were fixed on figure at a little distance
"a figure which walked unsteadily with
swinging arms.
"Jem Murray!' he muttered, amazed
ly.
The eyes of the entire picnic were
focused on Jem Murray, and with equal
bewllderment. Jem alone was uncon-
cerned. He was the chief blot on the
towns respeci ability; brainless fellow,
half shoemaker and half vagabond, gen.
orally idle aud never sober. How Jem
Murray had got to the picnic was a
startling mystery; but he was there I'm.
questionably, and as unquestonably
drunk.
HIS progress was not barred; there
was some hesitation about barring it.
de staggered on, marking his course
with amiable comments.
''Nishe day, nishe plashe, nishe lot O.
girls. Keep right 'long "-for the fidders
had irresolutely stop ed" keep right
long; goin' to have danshe m'self."
He was grinning with the pleasure of
this vague notion. 1t took clearer form
in his mudded head.
Coin to have danshe, he repeated.
'Here-here'sh girl now"
He was standing before Cora, his
eyes on her blanched face and
lis shaking arm extended. /
She caught at her companion des.
but Philo backed off, his face
IS pale as her own. He had never
tackled" lem Murray, and he did not
are to do it now. 4
"See here, now" he began, weakly.
But ,'em was oblivious.
"Wal, IN waltin'," he observed.
He touched Cora's sleeve; but he did
10 more. He was laid on his back the
ext minute by sharp blow on the
ace, and the doctors nephew stood
hreateningly above him. There were
lalf dozen others meditating the same
ct, but the doctors nephew had dis
anced them.
PHO stood open mouthed. Cora was
ervously crying, but Mr.. Hills arm was
trough hers protcctingly.
Jem Murray was got on his feet and
urried away by score of har dis, and
he hero of the occasion had an APPROX
ng group around him, and Cora's father
7as Of the number.
"You did that mighty neat" was the
eneral verdict.
II could not see lady insulted," the
Dung man responded, little stinly,
nth an eye on Philo, and Phio grew
I'd under it.
Cora's tremulous fingers family pressed
er companions arm.
Come here, my girl, said her father. :
You're all upset. Mr.. Hill, you've got
y gratitude" he declared, courteously.
But there was something in his voice
hlch made his daughter look up at him
J he led her away.
"You saw it," she said, anxiously.
"Yes. Isaw it. So did your mother"
er father cleared his throat. II don't {
now as care about your having much {
ore to DO with that young Wilson. I've t
ways been in favor of him, but guess t
amt all ] reckoned he was. Coming t
me, now, complaining of your being {
with that young fellow-wal, | used
light my own battles. And standing S
lere like calf Just now when he ought
be stirring, Wal, don't just admire {
coward" f
Cora laughed gaspingly. S
"Nor ~ she cried.
Du1 maj young Hill, now, SAD her I
ther, emphatically-''he was here last S
INNER, recollectl'
yes" said Cora, guilty blushing. {
oval, seems to me he's the right kind. .
nowed some spunk, he did showed +
le proper spirit! Fine young man =,
'onder if he's making much of stay !
the doctor's'" he speculated, with a !;
ow OF indifference he did not feel. ,
How could he9 The fine young man :
I'd not seemed Indifferent to his !
'ughter, and he had some paternal /;
chickering's. +,
II think he is" said Cora. :
She wiped away the last of her tears !
i'd smiled, for the doctors nephew was
ming toward her through the trees. +,
nd her mother was getting out the :
nch- basket. ,,
Philo Wilson did not appear at the :
ell-spread dinner; nor was it very :
range that he did not escort Cora to :
e next picnic, for before that annual :
lthering again took place, she was :
'neraliy known as ''the doctors niece,n !,