The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-03-27

The reverend gentleman to Lords was
beyond Toms imagination. The vicar
had his back turned, and evidently did
not suspect hIs curate's proximity.
Instant fight was the only hope.
GOOD gracious, Toni" cried Miss
Alice, 'what ON earth is the matter? You
look as white as a sheet"
81 don't feel very well, dear. Excuse
me one minute" stammered Mr.. Baxter.
And he rose hurriedly, upsetting his
plate, and jumped to the ground. Just
rs he reached terra firma he saw the
clergyman shaking hands with his friend
on the box seat; he was turning toward
Mr.. Heathcote's drag; in another second
detection would follow. Tom glanced
around, the door of the drag
was open and no one was looking. He
accordingly plunged in head foremost,
shut the door, and to make assurance
double sure pulled up the wooden blind.
Then he breathed more freely. But what
on earth would the Heathotes think? \
confederate was absolutely necessary.
The Heathcotes' family butler, Mr. Binns,
was an old friend of Toms and might be
relied upon. Baxter espied Binns open
ing bottle of champagne, and attracted
his attention rs nOiselessly as possible.
"Binnsr' he whispered in great agita-
ton, please say to Alice that am not
well, and that have gone to take walk,
to battle my head-say anything, Binns-
but for mercy's sake don't let her know
that am here. Don't let anybody know.
You won't will you?" he continued pit
eously.
Mr.. Binns thought that Tom was off his
head, but his impressive face betrayed no
surprise.
Certainly, sir. Any other message?"
mo! that will do-and, Binns, come
back here at once; want you to do
something else"
Eyes, sir"
The message caused some little sur
prise and much sympathy.
"Poor fellowl" said Miss Alice; lit
all comes from working so hard in those
terrible slums, and never taking holt
day."
When Binns returned Tom asked him
in the same agitated whisper.
Did you notice tall, thin gentleman
"a clergyman-standing beside the next
drag just nuw?"
Eyes, SIR
'Do you see him now?'
yes, sir said Binns, also whispering
"he's a standing close here
Good graciOus!' murmured Tom.
Look here, come and tell me when he's
gone"
And Tom pulled up the other wooden
blind half way and covered on the floor
among the cushions and dust clOaks. 1t
was terrible hot and stuffy, but he dared
not move until Binns returned, and that
parsonage was absent for no less than
half an hour by Toms watch. The cap
tive was growing desperate, when at last
a welcome face appeared at the window
above the blind.
"Mr. Baxter. sir" whispered Binns,
'the clerical gent, sir; he's on the root
of our drag
"You don't say sou groaned Tom.
He is, indeed sir. He and master
seem very thick; they're talking over
old Cambridge times. never waited on
him before, sir"
"Of COURSE" said the curate in despair
II see it now. Old Septimus was al
Cambridge, so was IIeathcote. They are
old friends. How in the name of Provi
denCe am | to get out of this? say
Binns, do you know must stop here til
he goes. You will keep it dark-nov
won you?
Most certainly, sir" said the sym
lunch. sir? Nobody will know"
Tom smiled in his misery at the idea
After all, why shouldn' he?
Well Binns, really think | will"
And the trusty servitOr disappeared t.
return with huge plateful of cold pie
a bottle of champagne an some straw
berries.
THANK We. Binns," said Tom, CRATE
fully; NOW go away and don't com
back till the clergyman has gone. Whew
How hot it isl
1t was hot and no mistake. On
scorching day the interior of drag wit
the windows shut is about as agreeable
place as the Black Hole. Tom could ne
let the blinds down, so he drank tuml
Ter of iced champagne, which made hi
much warmer than before. though it il
spired him to smile at his position. Iii
stiff collar was growing limp, and HI
heavy black garments began to grow il
suppOrtable.
"Wondcr if dare to take my coat off?
heasked himself. The mental answer wa
Yes" and he proceeded to do so. The
he felt better, finished the plate of phi
and had another tumbler of champagne
II feel half inclined to 60 out and fac
him" reflected Tom, but his heart faile,
He piled the dust cloaks, coats and un
brellas in one corner, and tried to MAX
himself comfortable. Presently, how
ever, the match was resumed, and the
his real suffering began. Tom had nevt
endured such torture. Loud applaus
frequently broke upon his ears; shou
of well hit!' well bowled!" 1--WE
caught and sometimes, more madden
ing even than these sounds. there was
deep hush of suspense in the noisy crow,
or distinctly audible sigh of relic
which told his practised ears that son
exciting crisis of the game had come
gone.
lie vainly peered over the half draw
blind to catch glimpse of the player
lie could, however, see nothing but
forest of black hats and variegated SUI
shades. Binns returned not; Tom dare
not quit his hiding place, and despa
once more possessed his soul. ''SuppO
I'm here for the afternoon. Holy Nose
how appallingly hot it isl Heat is a
to relax the propriety even of curate
language. ''Wish | dared to take son
more of my clothes OFF, And then h
eye fell on the champagne bottle, whiC
was nearly half full. well, | can ha'
another drink at all events" And aga
p his troubles seemed less. He street.-the
himself out as well as he could, for
was a big man and the space was smaI
= and by degrees he finished the bOttl
III only | had a weed he reflected
I "haven't smoked for months, II seen
years" And growing bowld even
recklessneSs, he hunted in the pockets
the other mems OvercOates till he found
cigar case. When he had lit a cigar |
felt comparatively at ease. 1t was vel
hot, he thought, but peaceful feeliI
stole over him; the hum of the crow
grew fainter and fainter; the shouts
applause more Distant even the hamm
of sticks and umbrellas on the drag wit
in six inches of his head ceased to ann,
him. He pulled at his cigar less enc
getically. Soon it fell from his lips al
, Rev. Thomas Baxter slept as peaceful
, as a child.
He was awakened by rough shalx
and shout in his ear of Hi, wake up
Returning to semi-consciOusness, he j
: distinctly heard EXPLANATIONS of SHAN
full ''Disgusting!n ''Who would ha
thought it," And then familiar vol
/, said in somewhat quavering accent
Leave him to me, papa. must see hi
alone" Tom pulled himself togeth
with jerk, opened his heavy eyes, al
. found himself confronted by Miss Ali
HeathcOte. who stood with flush,
: cheeks and indignant expression at Il
door of the drag.
"Are you awake, sir?'' she inquire
with elaborate sternness.
Awake! yes; why not, dear?" stan
: mered Mr.. Baxter.
'Then what's the meaning of thi
You leave me hours ago and say you