The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1891-05-29


Bunny's; needn't describe the feast"
"Oh, no. They are so kind to one, 81
anxious to make one enjoy ones self,
3 said Eugene.
Exactly said Clifford. "By the
time | was allowed to stop eating, my
> ability to think or act had vanished.
, was really apprehensive of apoplexy
= Then they put me in large chair, and
Mr.. Bunny babe Maisie give us tune.
"Tle piano tinkled; prayed heaven
that | might not snore; at intervals
, said Charming Then they handed me
cake and wine. Maisie had little bows
pinned all over her, from the top Of her
head to the toes of her slippers. She al
ways wears ribbons, but cannot help
fancying that she had put on many more
than usual in my honor that evening
FINALLY she took her little paws from
the piano and ran out on the balcony.
"'What heavenly moon' she said.
Come look at it, Mr.. Clifford obeyed;
had just life enough left to do SO.
"When we had looked at the moon for
some time | discovered that Mr.. and
Mrs. Bunny had put out all the lights but
the drop lamp, and, to quote your Long
fellow, had Folded their tents like the
Arabs and silently stolen away
evidently they had adopted the GUS
toms of the country and in genuine
American fashion given me an oppor-
tunity to court Maisie. She plainly
waited for me to begin, but what | said
was: Really, l am quite shocked to
have kept you up so late. How good of
Mr.. Bunny not to tell me to go. So
glad to have met you, Miss Maisie, and
then bowed myself out.
81 thought had done the right thing;
was stupid that night, as anacondas
are after full feast, but never dreamed
that | had committed myself. Not
word passed between Mr.. Bunny and
myself. 1t was subject, you must con-
fess, that could scarcely breach if he
did not. A week from that day he asked
me to dine again. AS yet, though have
an earl for brother | am myself only
poor clerk. OF course | accepted my
mighty mans invitation as before. This
time |, however, contrived to eat more
moderately AS the hours went on l
discovered with mingled sensations of
horror and amusement that was sup
posed to be Miss Maisie's sutton.
.She called me 'Woy, and Mr.. Bunny
joked us on our lovelorn condition.
Late in the evening we were left alone
together again, and again l departed
promptly You have the history OF the
year, or, exactly speaking, eight months
of it, Well?"
ut is very i'll, Mr. Clifford" said Eu-
genie, Every i'll indeed"
perhaps So said Clifford. II certain
ly find myself in most unenviable posi-
ton. AT home my family-and you in
dependent Americans have no idea what
his family is to a young Englishman-
my family expect me to make a fortune
came here with that purpose. l am en-
tirely in Mr.. Bunny's hands, and have
discovered that the good commercial
man of his standing can do one just en-
tered the lists is incalculable. He can
also do him great deal Of harm. Pru-
dental motives kept me from saying out
right, Mr.. Bunny, l cannot marry Miss
Maisie.' hoped that saying nothing
would do as well. To use an American
ism, just thought l would let things
slide"
"Oh, is that an Americanism?" said
Eugene. Really, Mr.. Clifford, don't
know, but fancy you will slide at last
to the altar with Maisie and be happy
ever after, as they are in the fairy tales"
From the moment met you, Miss
hnan iynrnSCl-
BILE. said Roy-"just as impossible If she
had been as beautiful as an angel and
oueen in her own right. There is only
one woman for me in the world now. l
used to laugh at that sort OF things, but
it is quite true. Good night" And be-
fore Eugene was aware of his intention |
he had lifted her hand to his lips and |
kissed it tenderly /
How dare he!' gasped Eugene, as the
door closed behind him. ooh! that ], OF
all people, should be the one that poor
little Maisie's sweetheart has chosen to
fall in love with! How | hate the MANI
Meanwhile Maisie was much nearer
than either of them dreamed. Of late
the poor girl had been playing amateur
detective to the best of her ability, and
feeling sure that Roy was in love with
Eugene, had for some days been watch
ng Mrs. Morgan's house. Tonight she
lad hidden herself in the front parlor OF
IN empty dwelling on the opposite side
If the way She had feed the janitress
o permit her to lurk there, and the old
woman, believing her jealous wife,
;ook great interest in the proceedings
Tonight she had seen Roy enter the
louse and had heard her singing to him
When the light shades We're drawn
Town she had fine silhouette of Eu-
genie to contemplate. Shortly one of
2oy. as he sat listening to the music.
She pushed open the window and stood
staring at these shadow pictures. Short
V wrinkles of anguish furrowed her
usually smooth and placid face. She
lad been a very happy little creature,
,lissfuuy so after Roy's advent Now
low miserable she was, watching the
hadows ON the shade, listening to Eu-
,enies splendid voice. The tears fell
,ver her round cheeks, her lips quivered.
al cannot sing" she said, but l would
,lav the Rochester schottische, or the
zatydid polka, or the 'Maiden's Prayer"
o him whenever he pleased. If she is
PRETTY. he should remember that l am
lis sweetheart, not she.
But now the music ceased. She say
Iugenie's shadow, Roy's beside it. Then
lis tall figure disappeared after the man
Ter of shadows. seeming to run up the
haie to the ceiling. Then it returned. =.
She saw them perfectly, to their very
,rcf;les Suddenly Rows tall shadow