Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-08-24


Paskola may be- bought of any reputable drug
gist An interesting pamphlet on food and di-
gestion Will be- mailed free, Oh application to
The Pre- Digested Food Company, 30 Reade Street
New York. For sale 10y GEO. L. GREENE. Brat
tleboro, VT.
pect Steve) Ora was ready for her drive and
fidgettng about from one front window TO
the other. Nothing but Mrs. Pesse's eX-
IRENE qualification at the coming event
prevented her from commenting cuttingly
on this uneasiness. In the back yard a
whirligig clothes-drier, stationary from lack
of a breeze, bore on its concentric lines the
mornings work. Ora'S conscience was
clear. her face bright. Her pretty little
figure in its blue dress climbing over the
buggy wheel sent positive rapture into her
mothers heart. On one thing this hard
working women had set her heart. She
meant that Ora should marry Steve JUDD
kins. if it could be brought about by any
means possible to her. Steve had fine
farm and considerable money, and his par
TALLY for Ora had been sufficiently marked
to have been the subject of comment in
the village. 1t was the mothers strongest
desire that Ora should be spared the life OF
ton.
shes a pretty girl, my Dry" she said
TO herself, with a curious tightening at her
throat, as she watched Steve tuck the gray
laprobe over Oras dress and straighten
himself as he took the reins. Charlotte
Frost shan't have him" Her pale eyes
lighted with sudden determination. Some
how l know as well as / want to that Steve
means suthin by taking Dry out this after
noon. If l could only do something to
help it along, / might as well 90 up and
see Susan Frost by and by. Perhaps can
find out if he's been goin there lately.
Guess I'd better 90 as soon as ! can git
things reg lated, for it looks thundery over
in the west
The afternoon was fast waning when
Mrs. Pease came out, locked the door, hid
the key under the upper step, shook the
gate violently to be sure she had hasped
it after her, and started on her journey
with briskness that was astonishing CON
sdering her physical proportions and the
upward slope of the road.
The thunder clouds were piling higher
and apparently absorbing all the air. The
afternoon grew hot and breathless. On
the tall elms that bordered the village street
down which she passed, the leaves hung
as heavy and motionless as if carved OF
malachite The roadway, with its grass
fringed sidewalks, lay white under the glare
of the brilliant sun. Mrs. Pease's face
was crimson when she stopped in front OF
a little brown house with a front piazza
sheltered by two outrageous horse-chest-
nut trees. The promise held out by their
clustering branches stirred the tired woman
to ascend the steps with many gasps and
signs.
Good land!' cried a voice from an up
per window. If here amt Mis- Pease ~
The narrow green shutter that had
swung open to admit of this remark de
scent was drawn to hastily, and a moment
later the door blinds flew open with Jerk
and quick motiOned, shrewd-faced little
woman, clad in a Mother Hubbard wrapper
of brown aud white calico, as smooth and
fresh as water and smoothing irons could
make ii, appeared
What ever made you start out on such
a day." said she, reproachfully, present
ing palmleaf fan. Not but what I'm
always glad to see you, Mis- Pease, but
seems 'slf you'd been more comfortable
if you'd waited until after sundown.'
There amt much doubt about that, -
admitted Mis-. Pease, whose breath came
with startling audibeness. ''If faint too
much troub e I'd like glass of water,
Mis- Frost. My throat's terribly dry,
wadin' thought all that dust
The alert little woman darted through
the straw-carpeted enlry-way as rapidly as
though the thermometer had been more
creditably employed than in gratifying a
ceaselessly aspiring ambition, and was back
again as promptly.
Drink this tea instead, urged she,
producing a blue willOw-pattern cup and
saucer, from which delightful odor arose.
Waters dangerous when you're so het
up"
That's real kind of you, Mis- Frost, -
said Mrs. Pease, gratefully. There amt
nOthin' like better'n a cup o'tea when l
git over heated, but of course / wasn't goin'
to speak of it,
Il relish it mOre'n anything myself such
days said Mrs. Frost, watching the red
patches grow paler on her visitors forehead
and cheeks. This piazzy's real comforta-
BILE when the sun gifts round behind the
house"
cory often wishes we had one on our
house, said Mrs. Pease, contemplatingly.
"lt's the fust thing We shall have if we
ever git forehanded, but ! believe in lettin'
well-enough alone"
"Ory's notions are a little high, answer
ed Mrs. Frost, with a certain meaning,
scanning OIa's mothers face narrowly to
discern any indications of resentment at
her freedom. you've had hard time to
gil your place clear, an l never favored
gttin' into the mire when you can keep
out. Why didn't Dry come round with
you?"
''Steve Judkins carried her to the beach
this afternoon with his new horse" re-
piled Mrs. Pease, trembling at the oppor-
tune inquiry that enabled her to state the
news she had come so far to tell, without
absolutely forcing it into the conversation.
"lt's reg'l lar beauty. S'pose you amt
seen it yet?'
ia, yes Indeed have"
Mrs. Frost spoke the truth, for Steve
Judllins had driven by that very afternoon
with his new possession on his way to get
Ora, but with the perspicacity peculiar to
certain minds she OWNED Mrs. Pease's
aein Of f,,1aRvftapaee s