The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1891-02-19
A HANDSOME BLONDE,

A HANDSOME BLONDE.
They boarded in the same house. She
was sparkling brunette, with a plump,
shapely figure, rosebud lips and deep
red cheeks Her raven locks fell in
pretty clusters over her noble forehead,
and were gathered into massive coil,
artistically braided, in her neck. Her
deep, glorious eyes were resplendent
with warm hight, and had in their half
shy expression charm which fascinated
for veal or woe. She was endeavoring
to enjoy her dinner, but was nervous
and restless.
He was u blonde, with a quantity OF
mustache and whiskers close cut. He
sat at table opposite the charming
brunette, and, do what he might, he
could not avoid gazing at her. Every
two minutes their eyes met, at which
she regularly blushed, fidgeted and
frowned, and he inwardly blessed the
good fortune which had placed him OPP
posite such revelation of loneliness.
They were, ere long, introduced, but
their acquaintance seemed not to pros
per- One thing and another occurred to
separate them. She had other friendt
and needed him not; he was busy and
cared not for her.
Gossips will circulate in boarding
house-mysteriously to be sure, but still
it goes. And one day while she was in
her LITTLE rooin-his room was at the op-
posite end Of the ,hall-she overheard
two of the servants discussing certain
photographs, She learned they were in
his room, She also learned that they
were photographs of ladies.
Can he have another girlY she asked
herself, and then quickly answered it
'Of course he has. But perhaps he il
engaged. Think of it! Is such thing
possible"
And, fully impressed with the horror
of the thought, she flung her door open
| There was no one in the hall; the dool
of his room was open, for it was the day
after Christmas and he WAS out of tow
gone to see that other, perhaps. Hel
mother was out-no chance for detection
from that quarter. She remembered
that the occupants of the other room
were also away for Christmas-no one t.
discover her there. Surely the coas
was clear.
Yes, she saw it, and with rapid stel
walked boldly into his room. All! how
she flushed at her own pretty face in tin
mirror-a dainty, hand painted thing
doubtless the gift of that other. Blu
what other: She looked around ant
saw, not one feminine face, as she ex
pected, but many. Bat there Was on,
which seemed to have the most promi
hence. This stood on the bureau. ant
she bent over to examine it closely.
The upper drawer of the bureau wa
open a little way-all else was in goot
order. She had been studying the photo
graph, perhaps minute. rapid y alt
critically, when she was Mortified b,
hearing the front door in the hall below
open and shut heavily and rapid, ste
come hurrying up the stairs.
/ She turned pale with fright, for sh
recognized his quick step, and never hat
it seemed SO dangerously quick-neve
had she experienced such sensation o
perfect dismay. Not pausing longer sh
turned abruptly to hazard run into he
own room, for he had climbed but on
flight of stairs-there was yet time
At her bosom she wore dainty GLOW
buttoner of oxjdized silver--a prett
thing, the gift of a dear friend Il ha4
become dislodged from its resting plac
ms she sat reading in her own room, an
when the thought of those photograph
came to her she rose 30 suddenly tina
che still further looeened it. While bend
ing over his picture on the buresu
hung by just the slightest thread, and
when she turned quickly to fly, it fel
into the partly open drawer. She hear
the noise as it fell, but could not pans
to find it at 10 critical moment.
When she entered the room-his roor
she easily lodged around chat
which was placed little awkwarlly j
the center of the room, but in her eager
ness to escape she thought not of tina
obstruction, but rushed into it, ovel
turned the chair, which fell with
crash, and, BUNDLED most piteously, sh
sprawled full length upon the floor,
dozen hairpins flying in all direction.
Alas. for her lordly dignity.
Just at this juncture he, little veal
led with the climb, reached the uppe
hall and swiftly approached his room
1t would be utterly false to say that h
was not surprised. 1t would be equal
false to say that he was literally thur
derstruck.
He paused abruptly upon the thre.
hold as if spellbound. His valise an
umbrella fell to the floor, and he swaye
back and forth until he was forced t
grasp the casing of the doorway lest h,
too, might fall.
This weakness of course lasted but
moment, and as he realized the situation
as he saw the chair upon its back, til
proud girl motionless upon the floor, he
aid for hair dressing scattered about i
profusion, IL faint smile lit his face
surely this was pardonable.
The next moment, however, his expres
sion changed, for she remained 30 quie
that be feared she might be dangerousl
hurt. So he bent over her, lifted he
gently TO her feet, and sought to assur
her that no harm was done.
Her hands were bruised, likewise he
face. arms and many parts of her bod,
for she fell heavily; but, alas! her bloc
came and went as usual, and her min
was perfectly clear. His arms wer