The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-01-27
.'rHrY ARE VERY HARD TO PLEASE"

only Inmates were Chrystal and her
mother. The latter was writing letters
in her own room.
.'0nel twol threel four!n
Chrystal counted the strokes as she
slipped into hor pretty Marguerite gown
of rust-red China silk.
Nov I'll just glance through those
new magazines before SUPPER" she de-
cided, as she tied and patted the soft
sash of her dress, deftly twisted the big
bow back, and then turned her head
over her shoulder to admire the result
in the mirror. But, alas, for the vanity
of human resolvesl Atthat moment the
bell rang.
"0h, dearl Who can that be?" she ex-
claimed with emphasis more provoked
than flattering.
Hastily she thrusta silver pin through
the deep fall OF creamy hsse at her throat,
tucked away couple Of rebellious curls
under the braided coil Of her brown hair.
and went out of her room and down the
stairs.
She opened the door to bold young
breeze, to a chilly dazzle of sunshine,
and to Miss Stokes. To Miss Stokes Of
"A
spinster OF an age decidedly beyond that
known as uncertain was MISS otoisvs.
Her periodical visits were invariably
long, invariably cosby, invariably tire
some. The Bruntons had known her
many years. She was one of those for
midable and familiar specters: ga friend
Of the family and she was, therefore,
entitled to liberation, IL not to exalted
regard.
Half-past fourl Fivel A quarter past
five!
"Will she never go% dejectedly mar
,veled poor Chrystal, sitting there smil-
ing, endeavoring to repress Indications
OF WEAKNESS, and striving to appear in
terested in the prosy talk of her visitor.
And meanwhile two young men, both
very hungry both very tired. returning
to town after day spent in duck-shoot-
ing outside the city limits, had taken a
short cut through the Bruntons'
orchard. They were obliged to pass
quite close to tho house, and one OF
them, a tall, muscular young fellow,
with pleasant black eyes, white teeth,
and the sunniest OF smiles, paused by
window which a great old cherry-tree
shaded, window that was low and
open
Look, Toni" he said.
Tom Hilton, insignificant of stature,
but fnically correct as to costume,
turned his head in the direction indi-
Gated. He puckered his lips. His small
blue eyes twinkled.
Great Scott Dick, can you resist
them?''
Dick Bertrand, who had not re-
moved his gaze from the Beleek dish
and the strawberry tarts, slowly shook
his head.
Like the father of my country" he
declared, II am the soul of veracity-
nor
'voracity,' you mean,' corrected
Hilton.
"As you likel I can't resist one and
II won't!"
With the expression of which des-
perate decision, he deliberately thrust
his hand through the aperture, and
lightly picked off the topmost tart
Hilton looked on enviously.
SIS 1t good?'
''Good? Don't tallSr'
He could not converse with ease him
self, so full was his mouth with pastry
and jam. He swallowed the sweet
morsel, and boldly extracted another.
suppose some one were to come
around the house, or--or open that
door?" ventured Tom, timidly.
This Is Christian country, where
starving men are not refused food" de-
clared Bertrand, reaching for his third
tart.
''But w-what would you do?" STAN
mered his friend, terrified by such RASH
ness, 'if-if any one were to catch US
you, / mean?"
''I'd rum" decided Dick, as he calmly
purloined another tart.
"StopF'
Tom was fairly dancing.
.Eh?p
stop! | say. That's your .fourthi''
"Proves how fine they are, responded
Bertrand, brushing the crumbs off his
mustache.
''But you won't leave any for n,sf'
walled Hilton.
His scruples were quite gone. Dicks
enjoyment of the tarts had been too
mach for him. Hunger had conquered
conscience. He made an onslaught on
the shrinking pyramid. He captured two
tarts which he devoured in successive
ly distributed and impartial bites.
When five minutes had passed, all the
,prim little forget-me-nots and primmer
little rosebuds were visible on the oval
dish.
Comically, guiltily, the criminals
looked at each other. Then, as If moved
by one impulse. they put their hands In
their pockets. Dick laid silver dollar
on the plate. Hilton followed suit
lcsn.inaed on JauriA lags