St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-11-19
While old Mrs. Vane and Hernia

walk WITH the W0lCeWdSH tuO OC-
tween them an elegantly dressed
young gentleman with diamond
studs in his shirt bosom, straight
cameo-like features and dark blue
eyes fringed by long lashes, was adj
vancing briskly up the front path.
Il think that must be the house, }"
said Mr.. Mark Hazeltine, las nearly
as l can guess from the confused d.
rections of that old idiot at the rail
way station and"
But the current of the soliloquy
was cut short by the sudden appear
ance of bright welcoming face at
the door-Helena Vane herself, in
pale blue muslin with blue fillets of
ribbons in her hair, sash pictur-
esquely looped at one side and
rosetted slippers, like a dream of
Cinderella
Miss Vane can you pardon this
intrusion" he began, courteously lift
ing his hat.
'Oh, Mr.. Hazeltine, l am so glad
to see voul" cried Helena, extending
both her hands.
At the same moment Hernia and
the tub of whitewash appeared
around the corner of the house. In
her surprise at the sight of an unex-
pected visitor-and the unexpected
visitor of all others-Hermia dropped
her end of the tub, coloring as red as
a rose.
"Oh. my dear!" cried old Mrs.
Vane. trying, but in vain, to save
it. there goes your whitewash"
How do you do, Mr.. Hazeltine ?"
said Hernia, recovering her self-pos-
session, and advancing with preferred
hand.
my sister is-ahem-practising
for a masquerade" stammered the
scandalized Helena.
mo such thing!" retorted Hernia,
blushing a more vivid scarlet than
ever, 81 am going to whitewash our
back kitchen ceiling"
But can't help your" asked Mr..
Hazeltine, laughing. Il used to be
a good hand at the brush in my
schoolboy days.
I've no objection to your trying"
said Hernia, gravely. but you'll
mamma to cover up your fine
Clothes"
Cpl risk the fine Clothes" said Mr..
Hazeltine, resolutely.
Hernia Hernia are you crazy ?"
protested Helena, turning pink and
white by turns. go and change
your dress at once and come down
to the parlor."
Not until 1 have done my white
washing" insisted her obdurate
twin-sister. Remember, Mr. Hazel
tine, it was your own offer!''
And Mr.. Hazeltine, looking into
the sapphire depths of those spark
ling eyes, stood to his colors.
my own Offer" said he. ''Of
course it was; and l shall feel too
much honored by it's acceptance
And to Helena Vane's infinite dis
gust, Mr.. Hazeltine spent the whole
morning in the kitchen, disguised in
a paper cap and piece of an old
sheet, helping Hernia to whitewash
the ceiling.
"Hermy," said Helena, when Mr..
Hazeltine was gone and she contrived
to obtain audience of her sister, 81
am ashamed of you
And why ?"
ITO let Mr. Hazeltine into the Sc
cret Of our poverty"
Hernia S eyes flashed.
IF he despises us on account of
our poverty" she said, Ibis friend
ship is not worth having. l shall
not play hypocrite to accommodate
any man."
He will never come here again"
I II
coming again tomorrow"
And sure enough Mr.. Hazeltine
made his appearance the next day,
''quite ready for another job of
work." as he himself expressed it.
But you are not in earnest, Mr..
Hazeltine ?" Helena pleaded.
'Yes, am. l never enjoyed my
self more than did yesterday. With
Miss Hermia's permission I'll see the
housekeeping through"
You'll be of no use at all with the
scrubbing brush and the BROOM
said Hernia, mischievously; "but
I've no objection to your helping pa
per the little west room when we get
the paste ready"
1t was nearly week before they
gu ~ IlIC WCSl IOOllI, Oul NIL . I1dZSl-
tine came every day. And when
they put on the last strip of bright
colored bordering, Mr.. Hazeltine
laid aside his paper cap.
Hernia said he (they had grown
to be great friends during this al
fresco sort Of life), 1--WE question
to ask you.'
well ?"
Don't you think we work together
nicely ?"
pretty well, considering, said
Hernia.
Would you object to me as part
ner ?''
Not at ALL"
Then may 1 consider myself ac-
cepted ~ he asked eagerly.
YES" she answered, with half
blush and half smile.
L