The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-01-13

O6 Houe ING NlSOls anu hS IL 10 VuJOg ing
himself at his scientific convention, SO
why shouldn't we go in for a bit of fun
too? And if you know what col IT is most
becoming to you, Essie, you'll order a
heliotrope dress for the occasion. You
are quite decent looking in heliotrope!"
81 shall certainly countenance no such
affair, Gladysr' said Esther decidedly.
Nothing is further from my thoughts
than openly to disobey Uncle Nat"
But you won't betray me, Esther?
You wouldn't be so dishonorable?"
1T would be still more dishonorable to
deceive Uncle Nat" protested Esther.
Promise nae, Gladys, to abondon the
whole AFFAIR.""
And to her great relief Gladys prom
ised, pouting and ready TO cry, however.
Going to Philadelphia was great
event in Mr.. Fane's life. Twice-three
times Gladys had to copy the somewhat
prolix paper which he proposed to read
before the members of his scientific club,
and at the very last it was taken out of
her hands and sent to a typewriting
young damsel in the neighborhOod.
His porJm ,nteau was carefully packed
and repacked; score of directions was
reiterated to every one in the house, and
at last he went away, tucked carefully up
in the sleigh, with fur gloves, silk muf-
hers and arctic rubbers without end
what dreadful old molly coddle he
is to be sure!" said irreverent Gladys.
And when the cutter came jingling
back from the station she beckoned to
little Caesar to stop.
Pm going to the station myself" she
said.
"Oh, Gladys, what for?"
$40 send half dozen kilograms or
So" said the city young lady composedly,
"to hurry up matters about my New
Years party"
Your New Years party?.A l though
you had given it up, Gladys"
Not l. If you don't want to come to
1t, Miss Stiff add .prim, you needn't. But
| mean to have it all cue same!' and
Gladys danced merrily off to the sleigh.
and whirled away like laughing sprite
into the brilliant winter sunshine.
Now Years Eve came, and for a won
der it neither raincd, sleeted nor showed.
The roads were like firm, beautiful ala
baster; the sky all studded with glitter
ing stars; the air just cold enough to be
braciug and invigorating. The Fame
house was illuminated from garnet to
cellar, the band was clashing out gay
music, and the train from Philadelphia
had brought goodly number of young
people in gala array, who were to be re-
infnrced by the ncighbors, all OF whom
were bound over to secrecy.
Gladys,in blue silk dress, draped with
clouds of azure tulle, which had been
charged tn Uncle Fane's account, WAS re
celung them most glacinu>ly, and the
tide of gaiety WAS at its highest when the
head waiter came to ask her ii it was her
pleasure that the supper should be
served.
Let's go down and look at the table,
Jis,' she said to young Mr.LO COuvray,
who seemed to act a. her regent in
chief, ITO make sure that it's all right
before we invite our friends to eat, drink
and DC merry"
who's that old cove coming in at tn c
opposite dOOr-the caterer himself" said
the faceuOus lie COuvrty, "Or some
tramp who has smelled the frying oysters
and chichen croquettes under the kitchen
windUw?n
Gladys dropped her escorts arm and
grew pale AS ashes!
Uncle Natl" she gasped.
"A happy New Year, my dear, said
Uncle Nat, chuckling. You hardly ex-
pected to sac me here, did You? A fine
supper this you have prepared I'll just
drink cup of coffee and eat little of
this very excellent chicken salad before
| 90 up To my room. You see the old
man isn't quite SO ignorant Of what is
going ON as you supposed he was"
Esther has turned spy and informer!'
cried Gladys. IL never, never will for
give her!"
Not at all, my dear; NOT at al" said
Uncle Fame. But | Glanced to find
among the pages of my astronomical
manusGr pit II half finished letter from
yourself to some city friend, in which
you described in very spirited way me
aud my household, and your intention
of outwltting both me and Esther Ellis
by giving New Years party in defiance
OF us both. Esther, you SAID, was too
loyal to the old man to hear of such a
thing, but that you were going to have
your own way III spite of her. Very
well, my dear; you've had it. But there 4
another thing you haven't got, and won
have, and that is one solitary, single cent
OF the old fOgy's money. Hushl What s
that? All, the bells in the village steeple
ringing in the New Year!"
At the same moment little Essie, dress
ed IN a gray flannel wrapper, came run
ming down stairs and flew into Mr.. Fame S
arms.
Uncle Nat! Oh, Uncle Natl" she
cried.
Here's one who is glad to sec me, at
all events" said Mr.. Fame, Il slight
culver in his voice. A glad New Year
Ia you, EsSiel Aud Wen keep it to
gether, you and l, all the rest of the
years that God gives me! And of all the
presents that could have, your love and
constancy are the best and sweetest!''-
Saturday Night.