The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-03-31

No WAS, not the mean KIM, Out nasty
like. That's what made him go off so
sudden. l suppose; and he's come back
sudden; and the two suddens may make
an expected, Lyddy."
Time never seemed so long to Sally as
through the next % hours. "They jest
crawl like SNAIL" she declared for the
fortieth time. But her unusual patience
was rewarded. The clock at last pointed
to the hour of on Sunday Afternoon.
What are you doing, Sally?" Lyddy
exclaimed, when she saw her sister GO
ing into the parlor with an armful of
wood.
"Goin' to build fire." Sally promptly
replied;
sand waste the wood?"
Brother jones says that some capital
must be risked to get any returns"
"But, Sally
may be ketchin'."
'Are you crazy, Sally?" and Lyddy
was really anxious.
Nom"
"You need not think Stephen Bowen
is comin5 here tonight. We are stran-
gers" Lyddy continued with quaver in
her voice.
"Wall, you won't be great while
then" was Sally's emphatic reply.
what do you mean, Sally?" and
Lyddy's hands were not quite steady.
81 mean he's comm. I'm goin' to
have comfortable place for him."
''SalIyr
Eyes, 1 mean it. He told me So"
"When? Lyddy faltered.
Il happened ter be out sweeping the
path when he went by last night, There
is knot, he's coming TO pick it out. Put
on your best gown, Lyddy; and don't
plaster your hair; let the little crinkles
and waves come natural as they want
ter. I'll be kinder careful of my gram
mar before Stephen"
Sslly's fingers had been as rapid as her
tongue, and fire was soon swapping in
the little stove. Sally was proHd of that
one luxury. She closed tho door and
looked about Der. 81 must use all neces-
sary and advisable outward appliances,
as Dr. Bronson tells Of" she mased.
She took the key out of the door. The
old-fashioned lounge was opposite, and
she had "heard tell'' that ''courtin'
wanted place to see if her assistance
was needed.
Then she brought out Stephens pic
Jul anu pun ~ bColuO 1luOy Ou luO
stand, drew down the curtains, placed
books and arranged the chairs. When
there was nothing more to do, she went
out to help Lyddy dress.
Now, you be dignifed and make
Stephen do all the forgivin'-you've done
your share-but don't let your pride be
your eternal stumbling block" was
Sally's earnest admonition. Here's my
lace collar to wear. Just think how
cOmfortin' it'll be not ter pinch. Put
your waist down a little. Somehow l
don't believe Stephen did that on pur-
pose Be mild, Lyddy. At any rate
don't be hasty till you find out his inten-
tons. You look real nice"
sally" and for the first time since
Stephens coming was known, there was
spark of fire in Lyddy's voice. sally"
she replied, 81 think l shall not see
Stephen Bowen tonight"
"Wall, we'll 500 when the time comes. :"
One hour more and it would be almost
dark. Sally read and fidgeted and
| lighted the candles and snuffed Thorn.
She noticed Lyddy was pale, but dis
cretely kept silent. She watched the
clock and the street.
He's comm Lyddy," she at length
exclaimed, jumping up; and before
Lyddy could answer, she had on her bon
net and shawl.
you'll have ter let him in, Lyddy,"
she announced. I'm goin' across the
road awhile to visit with Miss DEAN
please, Sally" began Lyddy-but
Sally was halfway across the street.
She peeked out from Mr.. Deans back
piazza to see Stephen rap, the door open
Lyddy put out her hand to take Steph-
ems, and then the door closed.
''Thank the Lord" she mentally eiac-
ulated.
But the Deans were all away, and Sally
was obliged to return home.
"Glad ont; shouldn't have set long"
she said to herself, 81 might be
needed"
When she entered the kitchen a low
hum of voices greeted her, and ripple
of laughter from Lyddy.
"Things is cheerin, ~ she whispered.
She sat down an. went to planning
Lyddy's wedding gown. When she had
it all made and the frosting on the we'd
ding cake she looked up at the clock.
~ guess it's time to see if I'm goin'
ter be needed" and she scrooched down
so that sue could look through the key
hole.
"There they are" she laughed, land
bless the Lord" she added. They've
begun to pick out that knot" noting the
different changes, though she could not
hear word. He's got her hand, and
Lyddy's all smiles and bushes. oh myp'
and Sally's head went down into her
apron, with her eyes shut tight.
THAT kiss has been waitin' Is year."
she communed with herself, land it is
too sacred to be seen. Bless the Lord
They don't need me no more. l will jest
take one more peek" she went on, when
at length she emerged from her apron.
THAT knot has been united quick. faint
more than an hour. wonder what kind
it was. How comfortable they look with
his arm around Lyddyl l wonder how
'twOuld seem to get into tat state. L
suppose | shall never know. Perhaps
it's because l am spare and Lyddy's
plump. She looks ten years younger
now. Bless the Lord and Sally Sheldon,
his instrument"
"Oh! How my old ankles do ache,
squattin," groaned Sally, as she began to
strighten up. 81 hope my jints won
crack and disturb them. The lie of peace
ought to make them timber. Bless the
Lord" and Sally went back to her think
ing.
If lightning had played havoc with
Eastman Hollow, it could hardly have
produced greater commotion than the
report that Stephen Bowen and Lyddy
Sheldon would be married on Christmas
oil he n