Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-12-15

old Daoust was dcad and therefore
could not come.
Alillette put tho heavy trunk on n
trnck-s!cigh and began to trot along
the wooden wharf. Then, when Mil,
lette paused for breath, Greene pushed
the old man aside and took hold of tho
truck. "'5ay, Millette, I'll wheel this
up for fifty cents for you," he said.
Millctte rau painting alongside.
'Ah-h zc drolc monsieur 1 will pro
vide for ze christening
Greene stopped short "Whot.
another !" he said in pretended amaze.
ment. "How many?" no asked.
briefly.
"Twenty-seven," reioined Millette.
with ill-dissembled pride.
Greene stopped again md carefully
counted ont twenty-seven cents
Here's cent each for your children,
Nlillette. Don't stand still any longer
or you'll get frostbtten. I dare not
run the risk of having to provide for
twenty-seven orphans.
Millctto took the money with pro-
fuse thanks and hurried of, leaving
Greene to so on to T,nbelle's hotel
with tho huge truck sleigh. BY the
time jasper reached the Postofiice n
procession gradually formed on the
sidewalk to welcome him back to Mon
treal. When Lilly Labcllo saw him
she came ont and promptly gave thu
children holiday f0T- the Fest of the
I9y, EhHnralo joined him Mt the head
Tof the procession. When they reached
tho veranda the children gave three
cheers for Jasper and called for G
speech.
He waited for tho crowd to disperse
before he approached Lilly, who stood
leaning against the veranda, an amused
look in her dark eyes.
Are you glad to see me?" easked.
Come in to dinner" she said.
III answer your questions some Of
them-afterward.
Mrs. Labelle greeted him with n
kiss on both checks, while her hus
band bowed with grave politoness.
Lilly seated herself Mt tho uppe,
table; Jasper at once took possession
of Lilly and held his prize against al
Corners, especially tho cashier of the
-Four Corners Bank. Tho latter was
not easily disconnected, but prepared
to demolish Jasper.
Miller, the cashier, asked her to 90
Tor sleigh ride that afternoon.
$50 sorry" drawlcd Jasper. "NIiss
Labelle has been engaged to me for a
sleigh ride for IL year."
| Tho paShin-. without 1,,s4;,,.. r.
reply, went angrily out.
Lily raised her eyes from her plate.
why are you n week before your
time, Jasper?" she asked.
"Thnt's the reason" said Jasper,
indicating with fragment of mince
pie on his fork the retrenting firm oil
the cashier. eff Pm only allowed ono
sleigh ride year, don't see why that
fellow should get ahead of me and have
three week."
"But your work, Jasper?"
ooh, McQuire's looking after that
for me. I explained to him that it was
rather important to clear up matters
here, and SO l came"
t Lily had not expected her coouetry
to become known. cit is SO dull
she said, in extcnuation.
Jasper commenced another mince
pic.
Don't be afraid of it's being dull
while I'm here" he said, with sublime
self-confdence. "You promised INC
one sleigh ride year for seven years
II wanted it, and guess I'll take this
years to-day"
Lilly pouted. Jasper smiled and
rumpled his yellow hair.
You'd better own up" he said,
with nnnbated cheerfulness. GLOW
soon can you be ready?"
LILLY was cowed. "oh, in half al
honr;" and ran away to get her thing
on.
When lilly eame down arrayed il
her most becoming fars Jasper, smiled