Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-04-04

had been her portion. She had suffered, and
through him.
The story was an old one. People had al
most forgotten it. Sometimes "A few of the
oldest gossps touched upon it at quilting
bees and sewing parties when chatting of old
times They wondered what had become of
that handsome fellow, Dick Aspell who had
Tilted Elizabeth barrow for the actress from
New York. And was that the reason Miss
Elizabeth had never married. Or was it be-
cause, her sister dying, she had been left with
all those Marvin children to bring ups They
had all died, too-all except Peter.
Peters heavy tread upon the bare white
boards reused Miss Elizabeth She looked
up at him a quick sigh sent the dream back
to the shadows from which it had crept, and
she was herself again; practical, kind and
nervousy energetic
Nov, Peter, why don't you get your tie
straight Just for once!" she exclaimed stand
ing on tiptoe and giving the big fellows
shoulders twist to bring him into a better
light. There you are now. Land sakesl
your hair, too, is all awry. Whatever have
you been don' to yourselfW
81 poked my fingers through it when l was
thinkn'-thinkin' - commenced Peter awk-
wardly, his face taking on deep blush.
whats the matter with the boyN ex-
claimed Miss Elizabeth, and then her quick
mental perception told her that Peter on
the brink of a confession of love. She whisked
around and placed chair before him.
"Sit down, Peter Marvin" she said, point
ing to it like judge Then she took a seat
opposite him and smoothed the creases out of
her apron
"You don't need to tell me who it is It's
Lucy Allen, that's who it is. You don't sup
pose haven't seen you castin' Sleeps eyes at
her this last three months, though I've kept
my knowledge to myself Have you asked
herr The ideal it's nearly killing to think Of
you-dear, dear-but have you asked herr"
hump in Peters throat threatened to
strange him as he answered spasmodically:
LAST night-singin' school-as we were
a-walkin' home"-
"Yes, know" interrupted Miss Elizabeth
sharply; "moonlight-the gate-well, what
did she sayf
"She said just Yes"
ION, she did and didn't lose time about
it, I'll wager. Girls nowadays do MORN half
the love making And what did you sayf'
Peter turned deep, slow scarlet
Il didn't say anything at first"
"What did you dop
81 didn't think could Aunt Liz, but did.
l-l-l can l say III lOnOW, lie SAN, looking
! everywhere but at Miss ElizaDeths face.
Peter Marvin" she exclaimed, a pitiful
break in her voice and her eyes wide and
humid, did YOU kiss herl'
YES, did he said a little bit frightened.
"And did YOU tell her you'd love hers long
as you lived. And did you say nothing in
the world could ever make you forget her
Did youF
"They be the very words, Aunt Liz" ex-
! claimed Peter, wondering eyed.
Miss Elizabeth started from her chair, and
hmglng her thin arms around his neck kissed
him for the first time in years.
ION, Peter she sohbed, and he thought
her sweet eyes looked for all the world like
wet forget-me-nots; don't fail her. Be true
, to her, Peter! Be true TO her"
Il will, Aunt Liz, u he said, softly
An hour later the brown pony was har
messed to the phaeton and Miss Elizabeth, by
Peters side, was whsked along the curvinl
roads to the little church two miles distant
Oh. how fair the world wasl Across the
rolling meadows a light breeze courtesied, thu
blue sky was reflected in every little pool OF
water and the budding pastures sent up tina
moist, sweet, earthly smell belonging to thu
spring, She was very proud, very contented