The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-05-18
SELECTED STORY.
Separated by Mutual Consent.

81 like to have young people around
me-" remarked Mrs. Kenyon. VI take
great interest in them" l quite
agreed with her. / had once met a
man who said she was born meddler.
l did not 90 so far as that; l thought
she possessed natural gift for man
aging. 1t was a bright morning in
May, and she had stroled with me to
the garden gate, against which three
bicycles were rropped.
why" she exclaimed, care not
Irene and you going by yourselves?"
"No, we thought it only kind to ask
Dora to accompany u.s."
A reflective looked passed over Mrs.
Kenyon's face.
"Dora is leaving US tomorrow" she
remarked. "Her father says he must
be in the hum of things again"
"But surely the hum does not claim
his daughter as well?"
ga daughters place." said Mrs. Ken
yon. somewhat severely, "is by her
fathers side"
eyes, of course" l murmured.
81 have been thinking" she contin-
ued after pause, "that Irene and you
Will De bbJjlluS uOWu suOIIl1'
Irene was Mrs. Kenyon's niece.
Some time ago the thought had occur
red to her that we were suited to one
another. She had devoted her atten-
ton to the matter with her usual COM
pleteness of method, and the subse-
quent engagement was matter of
course.
II can't say that we have settled as
to the exact date,' 1 said.
"It is two years since you were first
engaged"
looked around eagerly to see if the
girls were coming.
"Do you know" she continued, ~
have discovered the very place for a
young couple-an ideal residence"
81 must go and have look at it,"
said vaguely, with another glance to
the rear.
SIT seems as if it were built for
Irene. There is charming study for
her, room with splendid lights that
will do for her painting-a gem of a
boudoir'--
SIT seems gift from the fairies," l
broke in. "What is it called?"
Citation house-within a mile of
this. It's a chance which should on no
account be missed. The only thing
is you must decide within three days
''Not much time" 1 began.
She turned to me with bright
smile.
"My proposal is that you should
leave the whole affair in my hands.
What do you say?"
At that moment Irene and Dora Pa
get came hurrying across the lawn. 1
put my finger on my lips, to enjoin Sc
crecy.
"What are you plotting?" cried Dora.
"Oh, merely little surprise for some
body" I said, with glance at Irene.
opened the gate, and we wheeled
our machines through. We were about
to mount when another cyclist rode up.
1t We Herbert Grierson, friend.
81 thought you might be riding this
morning." he began.
Every happy thought" I said cheer
fully; ''you will make fourth, and l
shall not have to talk so much"
We mounted our machines and pro.
ceeded on our way. Presently Dora
and myself found ourselves tagging q
little behind.
"This isn't at all right" you know"
she remarked.
"What isn't?"
Naturally, you should be with
Irene"
"My dear Miss Paget, we have the
rest Of our lives to be together. Irene
understands that"
"She is quite exceptional"
"She is very clever, and l admire
her immensely"
Dora laughed.
sis that why you became engaged to
her?"
81 didn't. Mrs. Kenyon arranged it
for u.s.
Dora opened her eyes wonderingly.
MRS. Kenyon arranged it for your"
she repeated.
"Yes," said 1. "She is very thought
full. She decided it was time for Irene
to marry, and she thought was fitted
to become husband. With admir-
able tact she managed the whole affair
and we are both very grateful to her"