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

| the stairs--to reappear with arm about
her friends waist, in coy unconscious
ness of the youth who good-naturedly
pushed and jostled one another, on
pretense of making room for them to
pass7 And if sometimes one of the
hallway lingerers, more adventurous
than his fellows, peeped in at the sit
ting-room withdrawing his head
amid o burst of laughter from the
others-who could blame him that he
should wish glimpse of such bright
eyes and such pink cheeks as were
among the feminine coterie?
But with the first clatter of cups and
plates, heralding coming refreshment,
the company's attitude of constraint
lessened; biscuits and preserves and
as many kinds of cake as there were
housewives present, proved wonder
full impetus to sociability; and when
coffee was served, steaming hot and
delicously fragrant, the last stiffness
was swept away. Some of the married
men even wandered into the sitting
room and looked respectfully at the Ia
bleful of such tin articles as go to fill
the shelves of well stocked pantry;
the younger people intermingled freely;
games were started; girl with an un-
trained linnet-like voice seated herself
at the asthmatic melodeon and sang
from the "Gospel Hymns" The Har-
lows "tin wedding surprise" was So
cial success.
Lou Harlow busting about among
the guests, was more busily hostess-like
than Mrs. Harlow herself. "Sarell
never mistrusted until the last min
ute," she was telling everyone. "When
we suggested her fixing more'n usual
for the evening, she said she just knew
something was up"
eyes, it was a real surprise until
them" corroborated Sarell Harlow, her
usually quiet face very animated. 1
dn't suppose any one would remem-
+ that Will and l had been married
ten years to-day. It's real pleasant to
have ones friends 80 remembering.
Mrs. Green, taking inventory of the
tin things on the table, smiled benig
nantly upon the speaker. She had
found but one dipper among the pile,
and naturally felt the prestige of being
the only person who had given an I'M
duplicated article. Mrs. Dodgson, the
local merchants wife, began talking at
her elbow.
''How nice Lou Harlow looks to-
night. That lace at her throat is very
becoming. I hear some thing about
her and young 'Rastus. How's that2"
Mrs. Green drew herself up stifIly.
"Folks can hear a good DEAL" she
said,
'"Rastus looks rather young to think
of marrying. And Lou-why, she's
let me see" Mrs. Dodgson screwed
her face into arithmetical Fuckers.
"She's three years older'n 'Rastusl l
remember she was born the same year
as my Ameret."
ooh well, it's the fashion nowadays
for men to marry older than them
Selves" Mrs. Green answered with a
blandness born of remembrance that
Mrs. Dodgsons' own son had welded
woman ten years his senior-a widow
with an overgrown daughter just enter
ing her teens-and that the affair was
very displeasing to his people.
But her neighbours friendly inquisi-
tiveness set her into a new train of
thought. What if Lou Harlow had
been the one whom 'Rastus had fanciedY
bread, cake smelling of saleratus, care
less housekeeping-which she knew to
be the rule at the Harlow homestead;
she thought of what it would be to live
day after day with LOUIS giggling
laugh, her persistent chatter and good
natured ofliciousnessl Looking across
the room at one who but a few hours
ago she had characterized as "that fit
term little Holland GIRL" she noted
with stirring of pride akin to what
she felt in 'Rastus the trimness of the
black-gowned figure, the quiet manner
the delicate contour of face whose
prettiness did not conceal decision and
capability.
When came homeward movement
among the guests Mrs. Green paused,
talking in the open door on her way
out. Her quick eyes recognized two
young figures at the gate, and she turn
ed her back upon them, barring the
progress of Mr.. and Mrs. English.
have enjoyed it all 30 much; have
MT you, Mis- English2 1 do think a
surprise tin weddin' the best way of re.
memberin' the anniversary-it don't
make 30 much work for the folks of the
house. Seems 10 me it's pretty long
while since you and your husband have
been up to take tea with me. Now,
why can't you be q mite more neigh.
borly and come soon? Say Wednes'
day. Nothin' to hinder? Well, I'm
real glad. And you are to bring your
niece. Not havin' any girl of my own
l like to see bright face like hers
round once in while. I guess 'Ras.
tus must have got the horse unhitched
by this time. Goodnight"
'Rastus was patting Nell's nose as he
stood by her when his mother came
out. Retta Holland was still at the
gate, waiting for her aunt and uncle
and Mrs. Green smiled at her as she
passed. Mother and son drove along
the bush-fringed lane at ploddine
gait; for old Nell seemed in an indo
lent mood, and 'Rastus 10th to urge hei
on.
"I've asked Mr.. and Mrs. English tc
tea next Wednesday," said Mrs. Green
She cleared her throat at the eager in.
terest on 'Rastus' face and added what
she knew would establish perfect un
derstanding between herself and him
Sand I've asked the niece too"