The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-07-21


nod, and then, turning rather suddenly,
he came back and followed Ellen, who
had gone in, into the shop, treading
cautiously, as though he feared to do
some damage.
81 want some buttons, please" he
said, a little awkwardly, pl icing a six.
pence on the counter; those with
holes in them"
What size will you be wanting?"
This was evidently a poser. AT
length he answered: Middling big"
"You has a deal of stuff, he remark
ed, looking around, " but not much in
my line, I'm thinking"
"Oh no. ] don't know much about
mems things "-blushing. - suppose
you are buying these buttons for some
one? "11l change them, you know, if
they're not right"
The man gave a little laugh, as if
something amused him.
"I'm real obliged to you," he said,
and as the parcel was ready, he babe
Ellen a civil good evening and went
out of the shop whistling.
After that evening Dick Darnley
was a frequent customer, and such
strange things he would buy that Ellen
grew quite puzzled.
"Tne neighbors must think deal of
him." she thought, "sending him on
their shopping. Roughly guessing, he
must have bought enough tape to reach
right down to the station at Dinton,
united; and pins and cottons and a
yard of pink ribbon-and how particu-
lar he was over the shade, bless mel
He might have been a woman! Who
was it for, l wonder?"
"I'm fond of that color" he had
said, as Ellen measured and cut the
yard and a half off, adding, in his frank,
outspoken way, "Do you ever wear it,"
miss?"
ooh, no." she answered hurriedly,
"colors don't suit me-"
"I'm thinking as ye're wrong there"
he replied. "Tm--" But a customer
at that time coming in, Darnley had
taken the ribbon up and departed.
The next day was Sunday, and, as
usual, Ellen had seated herself in her
dull little parlor, though the sun was
shining invitingly, and the world was
astir. 1t was one of those delicious
summer days, with a cool, gentle breeze
to temper the IN. There would be 30
many couples about that she couldn't
bear it. Her head was aching for want
of air, but she told herself sit was easier
to be lonely indoors" 80 indoors she
would stay.
A knock at the door startled her-it
was a most unusual thing, and on Sun
day, too, and on going TO the door and
opening it she saw Dick Darnley stand
ing outside. There he stood for a mo-
ment, without saying a word, and then
he burst out:
"It's mighty difficult getting a word
with you on week days, and l want to
know if you'll come out a-walking along
with me; it's real fine and the country
is just looking grand"
"Out walking with you'll" her face
aglow with color.
"Yes"-eagerly 81 want you to
mighty bad. Amt you guessed what's
brought me 10 the shop all these weeks?
And amt 1 been fair puzzled what to
buy? Didn't you see my meaning as
clear as though words had said il?
Amt you guessed / want you to keep
company along with me? Why, bless
you, l wanted none of the things, 'cept
the pink ribbon, that's a fancy
that's took hold of me, and-but
don't you stand in the street. Jest you
come out walking, and I'll tell you all
about pink ribbon and who's got to
wear It."
To go out walking, and with Dick
Darnley, the beau of the placed
Ellen's heart fairly reeled. Why,
there were many young and bonny
girls who would give their eyes to re-
ceive such an invitation. And she
went back into the house to put on her
hat. while Dick stood whistling at the
door. Her heart beat wildly, her
fingers trembled. sits come" she
whispered to herself, " but I'm too old
now, and 1 dare say it's dreadful stu
pid at my age. Yet it would just be
like tearing my heart out to refuse to
go out walking, and with him, too. I'll
60 this once, and then it will be some
thing to look back upon" But the
once became twice, thrice, and the
man would take no refusal. He arrived
each Sunday afternoon. How the peo-
pie stared-ah, and talked, as weeks
went by aud this strangely assorted
couple were to be seen out walking.
"She must be years older than
him." said one; another, 81 guess
it's one of Dicks pranks," and many
other remarks were made, which were
carefully repeated to Ellen, in whose
sensitive heartthey burned and scorched
like fire. And if Dick hadn't been
very firm and determined she would
have refused to go out walking any
more.
"They're right. Pm too DID," she
would humbly say.
"Let me answer them" he ried
iercely. "Don't you heed them.
There is not one of them as could
touch you. Come, Nell "-the auda-
cious shortening of her name fairly took
her breath away-"I want you just to
wear this, my girl. With the pink
round your throat you will look like a
queen "-drawing the ribbon out OF his
pocket. " 1t is a fancy of mine, and il
shall be our engagement sign"
ct does seem silly at my age"-
timidly.
"Don't you talk no more about your
age, but put ii on. l don't say as i
haven't looked at a girl or two afore