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

proud, to say word before the Frosts.
] III thankful they amt goin' to take me to
task here Don't seem 'sif / could stand
that before Susan Frost an that sassy
Charlotte She tottered few steps.
"S'pose I've got to Git down there some
way, but my legs don't seem to have a mite
Of strength in EN-"
But Mrs. Pease had been too long accus-
toned to dominearing over others to be
wholly crushed by any kind of calamity.
Appalled, as she was at the difficulty into
which she had gotten herself, her lifelong
habit of self-reliance acted as a brace to her
weakened nerves. With praiseworthy
assumption of that capableness which she
felt that she had perhaps forfeited forever,
she got down the steps in spite of an un-
certainty in regard to her eXtremities TO
which she had hitherto been stranger
Her anxious eyes scanned the faces she
was nearing with something so desperately
imporing in their glance that Ora noticed
it at once.
"Why mar Amt you fealn' well9
GU hadn't ought to come out such day.
Twas too warm to walk 50 far.
dunno how you'd a-managed to get
home if we hadn't happened to come by
said Steve, iocularly. There was noticeable
/ y
happiness in his pleasant, rustic face. Mrs
Pease looked uncertainty from him to Ora
whose little brown face wore a blssful eX-
preston that her concern for her mother
was powerless to subdue. Charlotte's fe-
licitations had produced a most unexpected,
most inexpicable effect The attendant
humiliation seemed to have been trans
ferred 20 the unlooked-for side, for Mrs.
Frost stood by the wheel with a disap-
pointed countenance, and Charlotte was
twisting her big hands together with an
unsuccessful effort at lightness and indif-
ference in her demeanor.
Mrs. Pease found speech quite beyond
her She took refuge in her accredited
pain, and kept one hand pressed to her side.
'Glt right in, mar, said Ora. "Ne'll
have you home in no time"
An don fOrgit that ilaXseed poultice, 80
urged Mrs. Frost, as she and Charlotte as
sisted their fleshy visitor into the buggy
Steve, while facetiOusly suggesting a der
rick, having all he could do to hold in his
risky animal during the formidable opera
ton.
You sit on the seat. mar" said ORE,
laughingly, ian I'll git down in 'front.'
"Wait a minute, an I'll git you a
cricket suggested Mrs. Frost. "Run in
Charlotte, an git the one that's at the foot
of the lounge"
But Steve's horse was determined to
wait no longer, and bounded forward with
jeIky motion that momentarily straight
ened Mrs. Pease's remOrse- bowed should
ers.
Whats that gal been sayin TO you?''
she asked, with desperate determination to
know the worst at once. Ora rested her
head against her mothers knee and cast a
sldelong glance al Steve, who was not so
deeply absorbed in his duties as to neglect
TO repay the coquettish little glance with a
broad smile of very particular meaning.
Just the thing To hit Il, of exact,
though it beats me hOller how She found it
ont. said he laughing loudly. "She was
just playn' a game on Us, ! s'pose, tryin'
To- ind out if there was anything between
me an Dry. i want TO cougrat' late YOU
she began. with more airs than you could
shake a stick at. Tell you. Mother PedSe,
it set her down pretty low when l said we'd
be mighty glad TO have her She was too
Mustered TO eaR for a minute an then
/ Hello. Dry. Your mar don't seem to take
/ it III vet
Whats ne mean, Dry Pease?' de-
manded her mother, grasping her daugh-
D .
/ Whats he mean? Speak up, Dry"
'He means we got engaged this after
noon said Ora, cOloring but making the
announcement with youthful dignity that
was most attractive.
Mrs. Pease sat bolt upright. She re-
nounced her peurisy and drew the first
/ comfortable breath she hal inhaled since
her arrival at the Frost cottage Her face
was even more jubilant than those turned
| toward her
Thank the Lord for all his massies -
she CALCULATED, devoutly. Then, as a pain
ful thought assailed her, she reached out
suddenly, seized the reins from Steve
hands, and with one movement of her
strong wrists pulled the FESTIVE horse to an
abrupt stop.
you amt goin' step further" she
! declared vehemently, It'll you solemnly
swear, both of you, neve- to let out To
! Charlotte Frost, or her mother, or anybody.
/ ,rhen you settled it,
The odd demand had little significance
for them, but they recognized that for some
reason compliance with it was of moment
/ TO Mrs. Pease, and gave the promise with a
sincerity that guaranteed absolute and en-
during silence. NrC{urs'N MJgU-iD.