The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-05-02

did not ascend it. Philo stood on the
lower stair. like spider In wait for fly.
"Its about time, seems to me-" he OBJ
served, his dull face lighted by spark
of anger. 1--WE ben looking around for
you for two hours. guess I'll have the
first dance, if you'd just as lief"
There was sharp resentment IN his
palelashed eyes.
Cora bit her lips, her face afsme.
But she spoke quietly.
"Mr. Wilson was my escort, Mr.. Hill,"
she said. "I-I-"
She could not finish. She tried to
smile, but her lips only trembled.
The doctors nephew looked Mr., Will
son over from head to foot, and bowed
silently, little psler than his wont, and
turned away.
II didn't mean to make you mad. "
said Philo, better disposed now that he
had triumphed. "But was kind o. put
out. Your folks didu't like IL, neither;
told 'em you was off with him. Wal,
let's have a waltz, +" he concluded, con-
scious of extreme magnanimity.
al shall not dance" said Cora.
2Her pretty ewes blazed scornfully upon
him. He had told "her folks," She
could have laughed IL she had not heen
90 hotly miserable, What did he think9
You will find me seal, ifyou please. .
she said,
But PhiIo did not hear her. His eyes
were fixed on figure at little distance
"a figure which walked unsteadily
with swinging arms,
"Jem Muir Gy" he muttered, amazed
ly.
The eyes OF the enti:e picnic were
focused on Jem Murray, and with equal
bewilderment. Jem alone was uncon-
cerned. He was the chief bolt on the
towns respectability brainless fellow,
half shemaker and half vsgabond, gen.
orally idle and never sober. How Jem
Murray had got to the picnic was start
ling mystery; but he was there unques-
tionably, and as unquestionably drunk.
His progress was not barred; there
was some hesitation about barring it.
He staggered on, marking his course
with amiable comments.
"Nishe day, nishe plashe, nishe lot O.
girls. Keep right long"-for the fid.
dlers had irresolutely stopped-'keep
right long; going to have danshe m
self"
He was grinning with the pleasure of
this vague notion. It took clearer form
in his muddled head.
"Goin' to have danshe, he repeated.
"Here, here sh girl now"
He was standing before Cora, his blink.
ing eyes on her blanched face and his
shaking arm extended.
She caught at her companion deeper
ately; but PhiIo backed off, his face as
pale as her own. He had never tack
eled Jem Murray, and he did not care to
do it know.
"See here, now," he began, weakly.
But Jem was oblIvious.
"Wal, m waitin'," he observed.
He touched Cora's sleeve; but he did
no more. He was laid on his back the
next minute by sharp blow on the face,
and the doctors nephew stood threaten
ingly above him. There were half a
dozen meditating the same act, but the
doctors nephew had distanced them.
Philo stood open -mouthed. Cora was
nervously crying, but Mr.. Hills arm was
through hers protectIngly.
Jem Murray was got on his feet and
hurried away by score of hands, and
the hero of the occasion had an approx
ing group around him, and Cora's father
was OF the number.
"You did that mighty neat" was the
general verdict.
81 could not see lady insulted," the
young man responded, a little stifly,
with an eye on Philo, and PhiIo grew
red under IL.
Cora's tremuluus fingers family pres
sed her companions arm.
trl kls Fat hos
"You'r re all upset, Mr., Hill, you've got
my gratitude" he declared, courteously.
There was something in his voice
which made his daughter look up at him
as he led her away.
"You saw it" she said, anxiously.
"Yes l saw it. So did your mother
Her father cleared his throat. Il don't
know as l care about you having much
more to do with that young Wilson. I've
always been in favor of him, but guess
he amt all reckoned he was. Coming
to me, now, complaining of you being
off with that young fellow-wal, used
to fight my own battles. And standing
there like a calf just now when he ought
to be stirring, Wal l don't just admire
coward"
Cora laughed gaspingly.
Nor |" she cried.
"But that young Hill, now" said her
father emphatically, "he was here last
summer, recollect?"
eyes," Cora, guiltily blushing.
"Wal seems to me he's the right kind e.
Showed some spunk. he did-showed
the proper spirit! Fine young man.
Wonder II he's mskingmuch Of stay at
the doctor'sf" he speculated, with q
show OF indifference he did not feel.
How could he? The fine young man
had not seemed Indifferent to his daugf.
ter, and he had some paternal wonder
ings.
~ think he is, ~ said Cora.
She wiped away the last Of her tears
and smiled, for the doctor's nephew was
coming toward her through the trees,
and her mother was getting out the
lunch basket,
Philo Wilson did not appear at the
well spread dinner, nor was it very
strange that he did not escort Cora to
the next picnic, for before that annual
gathering again took place, she was
generallyIknown as the doctors niece"
Saturday Night.