The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-03-07
GOING BY CONTRARIES.

GOING BY C0NTRARIES.
"Oh, yes" said Steele Varian, 81 ex-
pect to live and die an old bachelor.
couldn't be suited better!"
He stood leaning against the big,
whitley. secured kitchen table on which
he had thrown the bunch of scarlet
berries, the trophy of his woodland
drive. The sun, low and level, as De-
cembcr suns often are, frightened the
varied colors of the braided rag carpet
that covered the floor. The fire cracked
in the air-tight wood. stove and the
atmosphere was redolent of the newly
baked squash pies that Mrs. Varan had
just taken out of the oven.
The old lady herself eyed him curl
ously over the rims of her steel spec
tacles, and Helen Bryce, with cheeks
redder than the berries, and eyes brighter
than the level sun-rays, stood, unglov-
ing her long, slim fingers, and taking off
hex hat by the door.
"How you do talk. Steelem said the
old lady, halt-vexed, half-smiling.
"None IF the girls shall estrangc me
from my dea. old MOTHER" laughed the
young man, putting his hand lightly
under her chin, and lifting it up so as
to get a good look into her kindly,
puzzled eyes. "She was my first sweet
heart, and she shall be my last"
''Come, none of your nonsense,
Steele" said the old lady. 81 wish
you'd see that Billy gets the stove wood
right size. It's just hairs breadth
too long to go into the new stove. As
for you, Miss Bryce, I've baked loaf of
your favorite election cake to night, and
its come out of the oven as light and
puffy as q soap. bubble
'1m sure it's very kind of you," MUIR
INJURED Miss Bryce.
cts your last evening here, you
know" said Mrs. Varian.
"Yes, KNOW" said Helen, her cherry
lips quivering.
"And I will say for it" declared Mrs.
Varian, "you don't look like the same
girl you we're when you came here; does
she, Steele?"
MIR, Narian looked up from the letter
he Vas opening
What did you say?" asked he.
better. Isn't it,"
II don't know" abstractedly observed
the young man. 81 haven't thought
about it. Itshould be better, suppose,
Wildfell Mountain is called very
healthy neighborhood."
Helen Bryce caught up her hat and
shawl, and ran to her own room, there
to indulge in hearty cry.
steele Tarian went on reading. Mrs.
Varlap uttered an exclamation Of annoy
snee.
II never did see anything like you,
Steele" said she.
The young man stared.
'Why, mother, what have l done2''
said he.
'1t's rude-positively rude of you,
Steele-not to notice that poor girl any
more than you dol" cried the old LADY,
whisking the tea-table into the middle
of the room, and covering it with a
snowy cloth that smelled of dried laven.
der. "She's fairly mortified to death
and don't wonder at It,"
mortified, mother! But why2 Haven't
! taken her through the woods for 6
drive2 What more can do, I'd like tc
knowa Pm not lady's man, and never
was"
Through the woods for drive
Yes, because l saw her moping so that ]
myself had to suggest it to you"
"Apd very thoughtful it was of you,
my dear little mother"
"And you took particular pains to lei
hsr understand that you only took he
Because you were obliged to go on bust
ness"
1T was true, wasn't it2"-with
roguish twinkle of the eyes.
"And you had totally forgotten tina
she was going away tomorrow"
zone can't remember everything
mother"
'Then where was the use of that ride
plous speech about dying an old bache
lori"
"Was it so very ridiculous9 l dom
know about that"
''One would actually think you WERE
afraid Of her making love to you," added
Mrs. Varian, reaching a Jar of home
made preserved peaches down from tn,
sAelf and deity removing it's lid.
"Well, who knowsl Perhaps sh,
may" laughed Steele, coloring little
''Pm sure she has no such idea p CRIED
Mrs. Varian. ''Poor dear. And she ha
been SO happy here!"
$50 she might be in a place like this,
mother, with you to cosset her up, ant
the view of old Wildfell from her win
dow"
''It will be dreadfully hard for her t,
90 back to teaching again, meditativel,
observed Mrs. Varian, measuring out tn,
tea to draw.
otis her business, isn't it2"
"Yes, but it will be lonesome for M
when she has gone. Pm sure l shall
miss her."
"We'll send for Aunt Adelia, from
Boston, to keep you company, mother.
"That gossiping, troublesome oil,
maid No. l thank you, Steele n
Aunt Adelia for mel" cried Mrs. Va
rian. ~ do believe Helen Bryce ha
spoiled me for any one else. She's 8
neat and quiet and helpful about tn
house, 1 sometimes forget that she is
boarder, and call on her Just as if sh
were our own folks"
81 dare say little exercise won't hun
her," said provoking Steele, folding hi
letter up and putting it in his pocket
"Well, mother, let's have tea. prom
ised the school board to be over thel
at eight"
Tonight, Steele2''
eyes, tonight. Why not9''
"Helen's last night"
.'Oh, well, business Is business, and
mustn't lose sight of it. And dare say,
added the incorrigible young farme
''she'll be busy packing"
The appearance of Miss Bryce herse
put stop to the discussion, and pre-
emily tea was served.
Mrs. Varian could not help hopin
that Steele would reconsider the scho
board question.
But be did not, and Miss Bryce retire
early to her room.
fshe feels it, poor thingw though
Mrs. Varisn. "And / don't wonder