The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-03-06
A MISUNDERSTANDING.
by KATE NJ. CLEARg,


Going to the literary to-uight"
Bob Benham nodded.
''Who are you taking!"
''Sylva Merigold. "
''Ohr said Reuben Bassett.
The single word was uttered so de.
spondently that Benham looked up at his
cousin in manner half questioning, half
quizzical.
Blushing line girl Reuben met the
glance.
''You seem to have all the luck, Bob"
II don't think it's so much luck as
pluck" averred young Benham with
laugh.
The mirth of Christmas was over. The
milder exhilaration of New Years Day
was also thing of the past January
was contemplating abdication in favor
of February, The day was bitter and
brilliant. The glitter of the frozen snow
and the intense and cloudless blue of the
sky made ones eyes ache. 1t was Satur-
day, and the main street of the little
country town was crowded with teams,
saddle horses and ponderous farm
wagons.
Just outside the postotfice--w which was
also general store-Benham and Bassett
had met. They were typical young west,
ern farmers, high-booted, SLOUGH hated,
roughly-clad. But their attire belied
their prosperity. They were singularIy
alike in appearance. Both were tall and
heavily built. Both were beardless, and
had the same regular, if rather heavy feat
ures. And both spoke in the same deep,
quiet voice. But while Benham's whole
manner and expression indicated jaunty
self-confidence, Bassett's were gentle to
the verge of timidity.
.'Look here, Bob, said the latter sud
denly, care you in earnest in that quar-
ter?"
''Why?n
"Only this, had an idea you we're
engaged to Lille Dix, that pretty little
schoolmarm back in Illinois"
YES" answered Bob, simply and
squarely, II am"
"Then why" demanded Reuben in
quick evaporation, ''are you taking Syl-
via Merigold around?'
''For several reasons" avowed Ben
ham promptly. ''In the first place she is
nice little girl; in the second, the Meri-
Colds are our nearest neighbors; in the
third, she has no one but me to take her
anywhere. Her folks don't want her to
go out with the Corey boys, and she
likes amusement So l take her. But
I'm not in love with her and she's not in
love with me.
Reuben looked relieved, but not CON
vinced
"Does she know about Lillie?"
mo, but I'd just as soon she did I'm
to be married in spring."
''That sop cried Reuben, with a. de
lighted smile.
They shook hands heartily.
$50 you needn't trouble yourself to be
jealous of mel" declared Bob, nodding
pleasantly. "Why in the world don't
you ask her to go to meeting, and to the
literary with you? l shan't stand in your
way"
sob, she wouldn't"
Elbow do you know"
"She never has a word to say to me. >
Gas far as I've seen, you never have a
word to say to her! You arc dumb as an
oyster when you meet her. And l notice
you hardly ever ask her to dance. What
you need, RUDE, is nervem
Reuben laughed, thrusting his hands
deep down in his overcoat pockets.
perhaps SOP
"Tell you what, !" said Bob, suddenly
struck with an inspiration, "you go to
the literary tonight and take Sylvia"
CIV with a gasp.
"You! We can fix it in this way: I'll
call and tell her that | have to 90 to
Grassland tonight, and that you will
take her i'll my stead. How's that?'
Reuben had grown radiant.
"Grand-for me. But she," STAN
mering sadly, ''she wouldn't like it,
''Try," suggested Benham, dryly.
Some further conversation they had
on the subject Then they separated
And Reuben's heart was lighter and
more hopeful than it had been for many
day.
The crowd melted away. The town
street was deserted. Dark and cold the
night closed in. When capped, coated
and mufficd, Reuben Bassett jumped
into his cutter and drove off in the
direction of the Merigolds, his pulses
were beating rapidly. How would she
receive him. Would she be angry and
refuse 20 go?"
But Sylvia, calmly dressing in her own
little nest of room, up under the caves
of the old farm house, had no thought of
being angry, and no intention of re-
fusing to go.
jingle iangle. Jingle.
She was just completing her toilet when
she heard the CHEEKY sound. She stood
on tip-toe and glanced at herself in the
mirror, a black bound and ancient piece
of furniture, which, truth to tell, gave
back rather distorted reflection of the
pretty young face consulting it. Bu
Sylvia was acquainted with its peculiari
ties, and never unrescrvedly accepted it,
verdict. Now she nodded gayly to tn,
wavy comtenance confronting her.
''You look very nice, Sylvia sht
said.
She was trim and slim, and dark
haired, with short curls clustering arounc
the white forehead, and bright, sweet
bruno little face. And III her best drcs
of crimson cashmere, ill trimmed with
silver braid, she certainly did look quite
picturesque and charming.
"Sylvia.h called her mother.
''Coming' she cried.
She pulled on her jacket, lied OIL
her white zephyr hood, and catching ~
her mittens, ran down the steep stairway
to the kitchen. Ten minutes later sh,
was out beside the sleigh, where, in al
agony Of diffidcnce and delight, Reuter-
Bassett waited. He sprang out, helpeC