Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-04
NORA'S BLUNDER.

the window. For 1t was hopclCssly
rainy day in midOctobcr, with tho sky
yelled in dark gray mist, the tinted leaves
floating down into matted layers of dim
color around the columns Of the piazza,
and the tall dahlias nearly Frustrated by
the steady downpour No walks, no gath
erinpS of ferns, MOSES, berries in the still,
delicious woods, no dreamy ramblcS to tho
mountain tops, and, worst and saddcst OF
all, nothing to read
And won't be dcludcd into working
worstcds," said Matty, "nor yet into
crcwcls and Kcnsington stitch. Eyelccn,
what Is that delightful book that papa
was reading aloud ont of last night"
DO you mean the 'Rccrcatons of a
Country parson}'" said Evclccn, compar-
ing two shades of rose colorcd wool.
IF that's the ramc of it, yes.
He took it to the city with him" said
Evclccn. Il saw 1t sticking ont Of his
coat pocket when he was running for tho
train. "
How proyoking!" sighed Matty, clnsp.
ing her dimpled hands above her head,
"when it's tho book of all books that
should like to read on a day like this"
"Mr. Winton has copy of It,, said
Evclccn, threading worstcd needle with
tho very darkest shade of garnet
But what good will that do mc?" said
Matty disconsolntcly.
Borrow IT" suggested Evclccn. "Ev-
crybody borrows everything in place
like this and I'm sure Mr.. Winton would
be glad to o5ligc YOU.
But how" urged Marty. Tho hotel
is at least half n mile away"
"Scnd Nora.
mora, indeed l don't suppose Nora
ever did an crrand in her life, " said Matty
Then it's high time she commenced, -
laughingly suggested Evclccn. "Writo a
note.
I'D rather send verbal message"
said Matty, land wouldn't send at all If
l wasn't dying to read the end Of that os-
say that papa began last night"
Nora, deep in the energetic occupations
of backing tho kitchen stove, was sum
moncd up stairs.
Nora" said Matty imprcssivcly, II
want you to 90 to tho hotel. You know
whore that isl"
"Surc an do, miss" said Nora, with
mouth wide open and eyes Of intense at
tcntion.
"And ask for Mr.. Winton and tell him
that Miss Matty Rice sends her compl-
ments and would like to borrow the Rec
rcations Of Country Parson You re
sure you understands
"Yis'm, an why wouldn't I?' promptly
rctortcd Nora, rather nettlod by this i'm
Piled nspersion on her powers of compre-
hcnSion.
And come back as quick ms you can"
"Surc an it's me that will, " said Nora
And presently the two sisters caught
glimpse Of her beneath the folds of rusty
waterproof cloak, with mammoth UNI
brclla held over hcr head, disappearing be-
hind the huge leaves of the rhododcndron
hedge.
Il hope she won't be long, " said Matty.
why should shcE" said serene Eycccn.
And she went on composcdly with the
pSncgranatc blossoms she WAS cmbroidcr-
ing while Matly sat down to the piano
and tried to pick out the notes Of some
dreamy refrain which had haunted her
ever since she heard it at the opera last
winter with Patti smiling ON the stage
and the fun orchestra laundering on tho
strains.
And Nora, plunging down tho ravine
like anything but wood nymph, FLASHED
her way to the going of quarter of q
mile out of her road on account of u spot
WI Sltht anu NAbIll'Ni lpl % EbpN 'Ihl
with u fellow Hibcrnian who was ON his
way to tho postofllcc.
There, " said Nora as she turned away
from Teddy O'Ilara, AN suro I've forgot,
ten the name as clane as II l niver had
heard 1t.
Whose name was it, alana?" consol.
ingly demanded Colonel Ross coachman,
whose soft nothings had put the message
completely out of Nora's head,
There was somcthin in it about tho
'Rcctory of a Country ParSon, said
Nora, twisting herself into the letter :
with the violent attempt at recollection TO
which she forced herself,
There ain no rcctory hercabouts ="
said Teddy. sure 1t amt built yet But
the parson, he's up on the hotel steps.
seen him there MS came bcyant, A tall
young gentleman with u high vcst-for
all the wurrold like Rockwell-an spccta-
clcs as gintlc as yc place. Is it message
yo'vo got for him, Nora, mavourneen>"
"lm to borrow him." said Nora, fixing
her dull, CLASSY stare on Teddy o iara' 3
astonishcd face
ITO borrow himY" repeated Teddy.
Teddy uttered % whistle
Its tho quarrcst loan rs liver | heard
Of said he An If it's fair question,
who is it wants HING"
Miss Mntty Ricc's compliments, re-
pcated Nora, with parrotlikc promptitude,
IAN she wants to borrow the parson, 4"
Teddy exploded into laugh
"Surc, an il it was leap year, y said he,
II should think it meant something. l
niver heard such message in all me born
days before. But / must make haste or
the mail will be of "
Away trudged Teddy, while Nora kept
on to the hotel all unconscious Of the
curious Transformation that had befallen
her lucklcsS message.
"Is the parson hcres" demanded she,
shaking her umbrella and stamping the
mud off her feet on the steps OF the noun
tain hotel, which was still we'll filled with
guests who had fingered to SEQ tho SPLEEN
doris of the October forest among the
woods
The hotel clerk, who had just come out
to glance at the barometer, stared at her,
tho young ladies' on the wide vcranda gig
glcd, the stout old gentlemen who were
walking up and down the boards TO gain
their daily two miles of exercise stopped
short, and u specialized, grave looking
young man, who was talking with n lady
just beyond, glanced around aS If he fan
cicd that he was personally addressed
do you want tho--clorgymanY' said
the hotel clerk, doubtful yet polite.
SIS it u stoncmason or u chimney swapo
I'd DO manin, d'yo think" rctortcd Nora,
beginning to imagine that she was being
made game Of
~ am tho Clergyman, said the spccta.
cled gentleman, stepping forward at this
juncture, lis there anything l can do