The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-04-24

pAoWh ohS'
Sound and sweet was the sleep of the
good gentlewomen, and they rose early
the next morning with grateful hearts
and in high spirits, for Sunday furnished
them with sort of dress parade of the
previous weeks accomplishments, church
being the field for exhibiting the best
bonnets and best dresses of the Lineville
ladies. Without detracting ought from
the proper devotional feeling with which
Miss Helen and Maria regarded Sunday
services, it must be confessed that they
derived no little enjoyment from seeing
the bonnets they had made actually on
duty, aud the pleasure of their owners
thereat.
They were comfortably seated in their
old family pew, and listening with
divided attention) to the voluntary,
when Mrs. Livingston, followed by her
daughters Maud and Edna, glided grace
fully up the centre aisle to their accus.
toned seats, Mrs. Livingston wearing
oh, the CONSERVATION of Miss Helen and
Maria!-the bonnet made for Nellie
Stanton!
At the sight Helen gasped for breath.
Maria, scarcely less agitated, managed to
hand her her smelling bottle, and began
tanning vigorously.
"Never was so near fainting in all my
life, said Helen, in loud whisper, as
soon as she could speak.
"That dreadful Tim!" responded
Maria, in the same key.
Each then relapsed into reverie on the
cause of the blunder and what its conse.
quences might be. But they were aroused
to realization of the time and Place by
the congregation rising to sing. Turn
ing, as was their custom with others, to
face the choir, Nellie Stanton, in all the
grandeur of the bonnet intended for
Mrs. Livingston, met their gaze.
At this the anxiety of the good sisters
abated. They exchanged smiling glances
and significant nods-Maria even squeez-
ing Helen's hand in mutual congratula-
ton.
As they resumed their seats, Helen
whispered, "Just the ..a..;;us for her."
"Looks like beauty, returned Maria.
Cogitations upon the blunder, and the
apologies therefore that must be given,
filled their minds the remainder of the
service. And it was very confused and
conscious look that they granted Mrs.
Livingston when, leaving church, she
gave them smiling recognition, with a
knowing tap of her gloved forefnger on
the silver gray bonnet strings bowed
under her handsome chin.
~ don't know as l feel so very bad
about it, said Maria, as soon as they
were fairly in the street; "for Nellie
ought to have that bonnet"
SIM sure Mrs. Livingston looks better,
enough sight, in silver gray than she
could in pink" Helen said. "And its
forty times more appropriate for one Of
her years"
"Some one else thinks the same, if ]
am not mistaken" returned Maria, with
little low laugh; and she nodded to.
ward the opposite side of the street,
where Judge Moore, having overtaken
Mrs. Livingston, was politely holding his
umbrella over her head.
Helen laughed in unison. "Not a
drop Of rain either. The man don't
know what he's about. It's sheer be.
witchment, and all because of that bon.
net: She's perfectly irresistible in that
quiet, modest style"
"He's 50 simple in his tastes. Mrs
Livingston has told us that, you know
The blunder had now taken such 9
favorable turn, the sisters had no further
anxiety as to its result, and were pre-.
pared to receive the wearers of the two
bonnets for explanation with all com
placence. Probably they would come il
the next day, Helen said.
"The sooner the better" Maria re-
joined.
The first person who called on Monday
morning was Mrs. Aiken, young DR..
Aiken's mother.
ooh, Miss Helen and Marial" she said,
advancing toward Maria, who was alone
''you must excuse me, for / haven't COME
to the opening-haven't time for it TO-
day. But, oh, I'm the happiest woman
in the world and 1 just had to come and
tell you SO, and thank you for it."
"Me2 Thank met" said Maria, open
ing her eyes wide in astonishment, and
giving her blond frizette a pull and ,
push for fear it was out of place.
eyes, you. That beautiful bonnet O
yours-do you think can't tell your bon
netss 1 could mile away-yes, tina
lovely bonnet has made things all RICH
between my Harry and Nellie Stanton.
'Idon't quite understand, said Helen
coming in from the parlor.
So Mrs. Aiken told hurriedly of disa
greement of three months standing be
tween the doctor and Miss Stanton, VIII
had been lovers from school days, of tn
doctors recent acquaintance with Mrs
Livingston, and his determination Il
marry her.
"That boyl" CALCULATED Maria.
"He's twenty-four," said the PROUD
and happy mother. 81 said all could
about the disparity in their ages, but j
did no good. He was just desperate
she's so fascinating"
"a very charming woman-an ex
tremely elegant woman" said Mis-
Helen
eyes; I know it. And yesterda,
morning he showed me the engagement
ring he meant to give her"
''1f she accepted him." interpolatet
Maria, with meaning smile.
sob, of course she would. Nv Harrr
is an uncommonly fine young man. But
don't you think. when he came from
chuInh yesterday he said he'd changet
his mind. And last evening whom d.
you suppose he brought for my goo,
wishes but Nellie-Nellie Stanton
There, now! It was all because of tina
bonnet, for l saw for myself how prett,
she looked in it,"