Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-09-05

A~ss' " 90 al put ~ Wdb AUb lOuS 10
fore Anne had determined what to do.
And the next day, on her way home
from the village, she stopped at Mrs.
Bassett's for the first time since that
spring Sunday when Chauncey had
fingered at his mothers side.
Its ever SO long since I've had q
chance to run in" Anne began, with
friendly apology. But I've been SO
busy, teaching right nlong. 1t was
fortunate for us that the Bentons
wanted their children to make up
all they lost when they had
whooping cough last spring. II
it wasn't for that and for two Of
Margaret's music scholars, who have
kept right on, ! hardly know what we
should have done?"
1t was not like Anne to speak so
freely Of their affairs; but Mrs. Bas-
sett showed no signs of unbending yet.
sYou know how it is" Anne con-
tinued, with heightened color. "Pa
tries to do all he can; but he's always
so--unfortunate.
"Then that last lecture tour wasn't
SUGGEST" said Mrs. Bassett, falling
into Anne's skilfully opened net.
Everyone thought he must "a been
maxim money, the way Helen came
out this spring"
"And didn't she look sweet?" cried
Anne. "But people shouldn't Judge
by appearances I'm going to tell
you, Mrs. Bassett tho I should hate to
have it get around. A cousin of
mothers in the city sent us IA bun
die OF old clothes. And Helen is just
the most ingenious, most economical
girl you ever sawl Those things
weren't suitable for us at all, and l
thought they'd be of no use whatever ;
but Helen turned them and dyed them,
and made the old worn out party silks
into the prettiest petticoats you ever
saw-and one for each of us! Then
the poor child needed new dress,
badly; she hadn't thing fit to wear
to church, and we couldn't afford to
buy anything; SO she went to work
and somehow made that pretty gray
and olive gown out of just
nothing! And her bonnet, too-you
ought to have seen it when it came
And" Historically, "all that never
cost us single penny
s'You don't mean to say!" ejacu-
lated Mrs. Bassett, in amazement.
"But-that pink silk parasol?" she
queried. "Mandy Ward priced one
in the city, an they asked-sixteen
dollars y
ssShe made that, tool" cried Anne.
ooh, you don't half know how clever
Helen is! You won't let this go any
further, thought" she added, anxious.
lly. 81 wouldn't like every one to
know, because-well, because it was
the first time any one had ever sent
old things to us--and poor little
Mother cried.
II won't tell livin' soul but Chan,
Mrs. Bassett said, earnestly. ''But
must tell him. He'll be home to-
night, you know, over Sunday. An
an I'm comm round to see your
ma, right soon"
Anne went her way with lighter
heart and she had not far before
Chauncey Bassett himself came into
view. To her surprise he stopped.
ssIt's ever SO long since I've seer
you," he began awkwardly.
sWhy haven't you been around z
she asked in her pleasant way, noting
curiously his wane and troubled face.
sI'll tell you Why" he said, sud
denly. 'sIt's because l can't think o.
any one or anything but-Helen! Anc
/ never realized until--until one Sun
day morning in the spring" (Annt
sighed) chow far above the farmer
son-the poor book-keepel she was
Then saw that the best l could evel
hope to give her would not be worthy
Of her-not even as much as she i
having now" (Anne smiled; "and
I knew that it would be better for mi
too forget heretofore she eve!
dreamed / had begun to care.
thought I could turn my thoughts
away; but can't; and though 1t i
madness to think she could ever carr
for me, yet I must see her and tel
her; and, unless you tell me not to,
am coming this very night
ssCome, said Anne, with a reassur
ing smile.
Supper was over and the girls wer'
putting the things away. As Margare
disappeared in the china closet with
pile of plates, Anne said cheerily
ssOh, / met Chauncey Bassett as ! wa
coming home, and, do you know, h,
said he was coming around--to-night.
"Anne! you-you didn't say--any
thing?"
"You dear little goose! Not
word that the town crier couldn't pro
claim with propriety. But l though
he was looking thin and worried, poo
fellow. There, I'll wipe the teacups
| for YOU had better 60 light the LAM
! in the parlor, and put on your Prett.
gray gown, directly"
sIf be had waited until he had seel
his mother, I'd have hated him--al
most" thought Anne. an hour later
when, above the murmur OF voices Il
the little parlor she heard Helen
l. . II - G<<Iry