The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-09-07

was supposed to Offset the scantness
OF the skirt. At any rate, as she told
the neighbor dressmaker, "there wasn't
any more pieces, and twas better the
scrimpin, should come in the skirt; for
ones skirt didn't show in ones coffin,
and if she was to die sudden before
styles changed why the waist would do
nicely for her to be laid out i'm
"I'm real glad I've got this to wear
tonight" she said. Not that there
was much consolation in saying such
thing to 'Rastus; but she must say
say it to somebody. He heard, how
ever, and answered Eyes" in an absent
way, as he tilted his chin before the
small mirror that hung between the
windows. With a curiously-aggrieved
feeling his mother noticed how care
fully he avoided shaving the down from
his upper lip, and that he left sus-
picion of side whiskers.
"Seems to me you're prinkin' more'n
usual" she ventured.
He colored. He had trick of blush
ing like gill.
Il haven't shaved since Sunday, and
here tits Friday. Getting hard to suit.
amt you, mother?"
"Mebbe," she said laconically.
A moon in its second quarter was
showing in the eastern horizon as 'Ras-
tus walked across the lots after helping
his mother off. A few crickets vi
brated from the grass; sweetness born
of the first October frosts lent to the
air subtle exhilarating quality which
gave him an added buoyancy. Life
seemed on this evening to open before
him radiant with hope. When he
leaped wall he was in wheel-worn
lane leading from the main road to the
Harlow House, whose windows were
hospitality alight. Beyond, at the end
of the lane, was another house, old
fashioned and painted. There
lived Mr.. and Mrs. English, two child
less, middle-aged people. They were
coming up from their house now. AS
he waited by the fence in the shadow
of lilac bush he could see them dis
tinctly in the clear moonlight-two
somewhat bent figures, stepping irregu-
larly. Between them walked another
figure, with youthful poise of head and
shoulders, and his heart gave queer
little jump at the sound Of q girls
laugh.
eff 1 haven't stove my thumb into
this cake" Mrs. English was saying.
"Never mind, ma. Turn it 'tOther
side to when you hand it in and no.
body'll notice." suggested her hus-
band.
The musical girl laugh sounded
again.
"Let me carry it Aunt Martha"
With thrill of satisfaction 'Rastus
saw napkin-covered plate change
hands. The slim, quick.stepping figure
was ahead of the others now. AS she
reached the gate he seized the coveted
opportunity, and moved forward, awk.
wardly snatching off his hat.
"Good-evening, Miss Holland. Lei
me open the gate for you"
Never did gate latch 30 long refuse
to lift; and when she had passed
through was it not to pause and turn
back with pretty sob, dearp How
he blessed the rose branch that caught
her skirt, and 80 held her for his re-
leasing. "Thank you," she said de.
murely, looking at him with the moon
light in her eyes. Old Nell came up al
a brisk trot, but his mother was alone
| oieeihS NOiJ OiCSe anu hOiuiuS tuO IOlhr
far apart.
"The Blake girls couldn't come
Miss Betsey had bad turn last night
and Miss Harriet didn't want to leave
her. So you see you could have rode
down well enough. l know you've
spoiled your new shoes a-trottin
through the wet grass cross lots.
"Well, you won't have to ride home
Alone" said 'Rastus happily, as he
helped her out. What were new shoes
in comparison with that interchange Of
glance from girls eyes? 81 don't be
lieve the Harlows were very much sur
prised after all, mother. When | got
here every window was lighted. We're
early, too"
One by one, in twos and threes, anC
merry family loads, the guests arrived
and there was talk and laugh and inter
change of kisses among the women
an awkward standing aloof or scraps o.
neighborly cbaff among the men, unit
| the elder masculine element drifteC
to the kitchen, the younger to the Ions
hall and the sitting-room circle wal
strictly feminine.
If some girl member of the sitting
room circle remembered handker
chief left in the neat chamber where