News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1889-04-25

Mre. Bonar looked bewi ldered, then
demonstrated feebly as Nelly proceeded
to carry out her design; but the kind
soul would have been almost as disap-
pointed as the girls themselves had they
missed the ball. As to Nelly, she argued
away all objections, whilst she attired
our friend in her uncle's cap and coat,
and fastened a walking-stick to his nit
ten.
"Now, Lefty, take the other arm ?
she cried; ''and, auntie, stand Just there
and tell us if he don't look the image of
uncle. ~
Against her will Mrs Bonar laughed.
She could not deny it, but was loath to
countenance such q freak. They were
now in high spirits, and carried their
escort down stairs with ease.
''The judge is as light as feather :"
cried Nelly, gleefully. We can hold him
tired. We can go along the side streets,
which (excuse me for saying Z so, auntiel
are badly lighted, and no one will know
the dear old man isn't quite himself.
"Nelly! cried Mrs. Bonar, rather
scandalized.
So the girls sailed forth with their
doughty protector, and all went merrily
about two-thirds of the way: but
good deal of alarm they both felt before
they reached their lodgings. These
were situated in very quiet street, and
shortly after turning the corner, the
girls heard footsteps behind them;
man was seen approaching them. And
now what alarmed the two was the
strange conduct of the newcomer. He
came up rapidly, as if about to greet
them; but just at this point the sham
judge stumbled badly, and the girls had
as much as they could do to keep him in
an erect position. The street led up the
hill; the pavement was covered with ice,
which Nelly especially found difficult to
walk on. The judges arm to which she
chung, alas, could afford no assistance;
further, the effort to keep him straight
heightened the embarrassing situation.
"Oh, Nelly" whispered Lefty, in ter
ror again, ''some one is following u.s.
Nelly had known it for the last five
minutes. If she had only known, like
wise, they were being looked after by
friend, possibly she might have been
easier in her mind, but probably not.
For Miss Nelly, with all her love of fun,
would not have relished being laughed
at, especially by Harry Hill. He, poor
fellow, muttered under his breath, that
''those poor girls were in a deucedly
awkward situation; and who would have
thought it of the judgel"
Up the long street toiled the cousins,
in mortal terror, with those steady, dog
ying footsteps ever behind. Twice they
crossed the road, and stealthy figure !
as he thought, unobserved) followed /
them.
"Oh, sobbed Lefty, softly, ''I don't |
think the hall is worth it. Let us go
into the first house, Nellie"
''With this dummy" whispered |
Nelly; ''people would think us lunatics.
Courage, Lefty. We're nearly home"
Oh the glad relief to get up the famil-
ar steps, and smuggle their escort into
heir wardrobe Then both sat down
md Nelly had to do her utmost to
,eep Lefty from going into Mysteries
But both went to the ball soon after, in
ugh feather, as pretty a couple as any
ne could wish to see; and Nelly,
-altz1ng with Harry Hill never dreamed
nat he had dfscoYrre,I the tIs,rk -vcIst
he and Lefty had sworn to keep.
las that he should have discovered I:
My the half of it!
Again, at the masquerade, when the
iris sat in the Directors Gallery,
nd looked down on that cleaning ex-
,anse of ice below, with its glittering
rowd of skaters that seemed to flock
rom ever land, decked out in bravery
# costume that rivaled royalty, they
singled out young Bonar and his gro
esque companion; they looked at the
udge standing behind them in his
ilver-fox coat, all unconscious of the
iberties so lately taken with that
handsome garment; they laughed into
,ach others eyes, did these two naughty
cousins, and made young Hill furiously
ealous by the whisper of Charlie Bonar's
name, and something about ga friend
N need being a friend indeed"
Haven't we had lovely time?"
said Lefty, when the Carnival was over,
md they somewhat dolefully prepared
10 return home.
"That we have" assented Nelly,
heartily. ''But, Lefty, even toboggan
ng was not as exciting as-you know
,a' secret"