Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-06-04
sEMTWEEKLY BANNER, TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1895.

6ne q nave seen GnaG my geGGlnR older
couldn't make any difference. Oh, Dick,
isn't it wonderfully
Eyes" said 1 soberly, for look had
passed in the blue eyes that seemed to me
very wonderful.
Presently Daisy said in low tone:
81 wish papa wouldn't insist on going
abroad all the long vacation. He says he
can work better there"
"What does he want to work forp" cried I.
81 don't know" said she. "Dick, why
don't you come abroad?"
1t was a bitter moment.
GIVE got no money" said 1, with def
ant bluntness.
Her breath caught half way through a
little laugh.
ooh, you poor dear boyp' said she.
"Never mind, Dick. It's only till Octo-
ber."
'Onlyp' said in tones a Hamlet might
be proud Of.
Twill it seem very longT'' Ehe asked
dropping her lashes.
GAS if you didn't knowr'
"Yes-but, Dick, may like to be told
all the same. you know"
So told her, and cons and cons Of wea-
ry waiting rose before us at the bidding of
my words.
"And in all that time" she said, 'aro
you sure you won't forget? Oh, well, then
believe you won't. Think, Dick, what it
will be when you come back You must
look out of your window all the first day
and perhaps may come by"
"And look up?"
"Perhaps"
"Perhaps you'll have forgotten"
ooh, Dick, that is horrid of you'll nev-
er forget my friends"
"Fricnds!' 1 echoed Indignantly.
"Wcll, you know what l mean" said
she indulgently.
AS she spoke the great clock in the tow
er struck IL. She sprang to her feet.
"Don't CO." 1 urged. "Daisy, it's the
last time"
ooh, but must. So must you"
She seemed rcsolute
"Well, them before you go promised" 1
urged.
"But have promised. Well, then, yes.
promise Dick"
"You'n think of no one else the whole
time?'
"No; of no one else"
"Not of that fellow, Franklin F.
"Dicll l told you 1 hated him. Aren't
you going to promise tOo2"
The garden seemed peaceful and quiet.
We sat down on the bench again for a mo-
mentor it was meant to be a moment.
But such moments are endowed from heav-
en- with blessed elasticity. think prom
ised for a full quarter Of an hour.
Then, at a cry from Daisy, looked up
A tall, stout man in gold spectacles stood
down nt II hD
unkind smile on his face. 1t was the pro-
vost. 1 felt crimson all over and sat
speechless.
"Pray, what's the meaning Of this, Mr..
Vansittart?" he asked, the mixed smile
still on his lips
looked at him in fright for an instant.
Then n pride arose in me. cleared my
throat and began, "Sir, l ain promising''-
The demon of irony raked up, in the
provost's mind, the memory of his last
words to me. Oh, that I had found an
other exordium for my heroic speech
"Upon my word, said he, thrusting
one hand into his cross cut trousers pocket
and pulling at his whisker with the other,
''you are promising, for your age, very
promising, Mr.. Vansittart."
The bubble was broken. Daisy hung
her head. l was red and hot again.
Every promising" chuckled the pro-
vost, iingling the money in his pocket.
every promising indocdp'
could have struck him for his mocking
iteration.
"Daisy, go indoors" said he, land, Mr..
Vansittart, may l lend you my key Of the
garden gate? Pray be so good as to return
it to the porter"
He handed it to me, with polite bow.
Daisy was in retreat, hurrying in sad
shame toward the house. took the key.
81 meant it, sill" stammered.
"You're u young foo" said he, and
held out his hand.
eyes young fool, ho said again, as
he shook hands. I went.
He stood, watching my exit. 1 looked
back as l reached the gate. He was there
still, and, behind him, in the porch, waved
a handkerchief. passed through the gate
and locked it behind me-
And was the long vacation very long?
And did l forget her in the "long?"
1 am willing to answer, at any cost to
my own character, all material questions
But that question is immaterial For shs
forgot me in the long.
Dear me, hope she's happy somewhsss!
Anthony Hope in Idler.