Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-04-18
CT APTER III

Joe Page kept an anxious watch on the
door all day for Miss Nanc. Alice was
nice little thing, but a man of the world
like himself found, of course. metal more
attractive in a higher type of woman.
However, he loungcd away the day con-
tentcdlv enough The little parlor as
usual, was cheerful and sunny. and Ally
was always vivaciouS and stout tenn
pcred, and secretly relished bit of gos-
sip. as every woman does, however well
bred. Joe mentally patted her on the
head patronizingly. What a thorough
little housekeeper was. so tender and
watchfu with her mother too! they were
intimate as two happy girls together.
Just the very wife for Jeems Wedges.
There was a whisper going about the
ncighborhood that Wedges had been a
sutton for Alice ever since the little girl
had left school, which was in fact but a
few months ago.
I'D give all I'm worth to know if he
has changed his mind since he saw Miss
Vane," thought Joe looking steadfastlv
at his boot tops, his heart in a fierce glow
of jealousy. But how the deuce is a
fellow to find out!
"Secundus is training that pony capt.
ally he remarked. The bay, you
know? Nogdes intends it as a birthday
gift for Miss Nanc."
Now, there had been a vague rumor
that the pony was to be broken for Alice.
Il never knew woman ride more
beautifully than Charlotte" Mrs. Mcln-
tyre remarked quickly
81 always think Of Di Vernon" said
Ally with little gush OF enthusiasm.
by the way, Nogdes babe me give
you his compliments, Aunt Letitia. H.
will ride over this afternoon. Tom wants
to see Miss Nane"
Tom is very fond OF dear Charlotte"
said Ally. Everybody is that, though"
forcing IA smile and then the little girl
got up and went up to her own room
in great haste, only to sit down and stare
at the whitcwashed wall when she
reached it. Charlotte was lovely, there
was no denying that; especially in that
pulled yellow sik-and her arms and
hands were models for Il sculptor, as
Cousin Joe said" enthey are clean"
Ally added as a foot note in her secret
soul, with a malicious toss Of her head.
But that is no reason why she should
talle-my-my friends away from me"
said Ally, trying to hold back the tears
in her blue eyes. cousin Joe hasn't
asked me TO dance once this summer.
and even Sccundus brings all the bou-
! quetS for Missy Nane, and now there's
Tom gone. Dear little fellow. 1t was
hard she couldn't leave me Tom
The little urchin was in the habit of
running down to the cottage every day,
and Aliccs devotion to him (when no.
| body saw herr was something wonderful
to behold. How she brushed and curled
| his yellow hair! how she slyly sewed on
missing buttons, or darned tears in his
trousers, whispering, Poor little moth
erless fellow
Meanwhile, down stairs, Mr.. Page en-
tertained Mrs. Mcintyre with some of
his most brilliant anecdotes OF society
and blase bits of philosophy Aliccs
mother, he remembered, had been both
belle and bel esprit in her youth, and it
was worth while to show her how su-
perior young men of this day were in
savoir vivre to those of her own.
The lady, her white fingers busy with
her wool, turned Joe over and over, and
read his whole secret leisurely; that he
was fiercely jealous of Nogdes, who ne
believed meant To put his fate to the test
with Miss Vane tonight, The poor boy
was as helpless i'll her gentle handling as
miserable little mouse upon whom a
white motherly old cat has laid her vel
vety paws.
She smiled complacently as she went
up stairs to dress for tea. Poor Char
lotte! that would be terrible menage
for any man under her rule as house
keeper. But she was thankful that
Vogdes' attention had been directed from