Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-03-25

guage showed only too plainly his stable
origin, but he felt that it was his duty
to keep the conversational ball rolling
as pleasantly as possible in order to
drown the discord which occasionally
rang out on the still, frosty air.
Eyes, Miss Ethel, bein the youngest,
was terrible spoiled when she was lit.
tie. She always liked to have her way,
which was natural for baby like her,
but, then, Mr. Winston was always hot
and fiery from the time he was a small
chap They're about even matched,
guess That amt O real quarrel-don't
you believe it. You don't know women,
John. They take ON right frequent; it's
their habit She and him will make 1t up
before we get home"
'Humphp grunted John, the unbe-
heving. THAT there quarrelin ain t the
patch up kind-don t you believe it. I'll
wager you five to one them two parts
company this night You amt never
goin to convince me, Jerry, that there's
pair of turtledoves in this carriage
These fine folks dom fight fair anyhow,
Why in thunder don't he light out with
his fist and hit her straight between the
eyes? That's the way our sort patch up
their rows, only the patchin comes aft
Ell"
Jerry WINGED and set his teeth hard
as John pointed out this grewsome path
to peace. 1t was high time, he thought,
to turn the discourse into pleasanter
channels, but how could this be done,
when open war was being waged within
earshot and the family honor and dig
nifty compromised before this fledgeling
Of a footman? His young masters high
pitched, excited voice betrayed utter
forgetfulness of time and place, and
there was no way to warn him
With the energy Of despair Jerry once
more used the whip. Once more the
horses sprang forward, rafting at a
brisk pace through the quiet streets
The noise Of their Gathering hoofs was
sufficient Jerry found, to drown the
voices, so he kept the animals up to
speed, the winter wind whistling
around them as they cut through 1t.
Here was a respite then, and while he
handled the reins with the skill of q
master he was busy planning what to
occupants Of the carriage. He might
lash the horses into furious gallop,
but that would incur the danger Of q
runaway, the horses might stumble and
fall on the slippery road and 1t wal
hard ON the poor things after their good
nights work. No. it was best, after all,
to keep to this even, ringing gait. II
would give John all he could do to lool
after himself as they jolted over the
oobblestones, for Jerry took good cart
that they did jolt. The young footman'
slight figure swayed and bumped inces
sanity against the coachman's stalwar
form.
But this sort Of thing could not go OF
forever. The horses were painting a
/ they pulled against Jerry's restraining
hold. They were reaching the outskirt
q Of the city. The Arnolds fine old home
stead was at least mile beyond. Their
g were no more cobblestones. The horses
= hoofs struck soft ON the country road
q Jerry pulled in. There was no use go
ing fast now. He would gain nothing
, by it, and John was quite breathless
He listened intently for some sount
0 from the carriage. There was no talk
q ing, only smothered sob now and the
4 that cut the faithful fellow like knife
!. but the silence was grateful for all that
I The road stretched out, long, moon
lit line before him, with pretty villa
; lying in the shadow on either hand
Q There was turning somewhere in tn
Q distance which meant home, and HON
Z to Jerry's simple nature was sacre
q place, the haven where quarreling an
:. pickering dared not enter. All woul
d be we'll when they reached home. A
Q the turn of the road then.
= Jerry, stop the carriage" The voiC
y was his masters 1t struck him like
thunderbolt, but with his usual obed
y ence he drew rein, sitting erect and a
n most passive as young Mr.. Arnol
sprang to the ground, slamming the cal
d riage door behind him. His eyes wei
:. blazing with anger. his face pale wit
II passion.
IS "Drive on, he said CURLY. 81 al
II not going home"
n "Sir?" asked Jerry, upon whom ii
z command fell like a dash of cold waite
It nearly taking away his breath. He kne'
John was listening with greedy int
q est, but for the life of him he could NJ
IT utter another word.
% "Drive on, I say. repeated the youn
3 master imperiously, for Jerry SCENE
10 unusually slow of comprehension.
was too cold night to handy words.
/. Without you, sir2" questioned Jer1
incredulously.
Certainly. am going to walk"
at will be late when you get hom
dr," said Jerry respectfully.
"I am not going home I shall wa
back to the city"
Any other coachman would have q
tsred an exclamation, but this rare e
ception sat apparently unmoved upC
his box, though perfectly aware tn
Johns elbow was digging persistent
into his side.
cts freezin night, sir" he begI
In his slow way, "and that coat Of you
is only fit for the carriage. If you
left anything In the city, I'LL see toit
the mornin."
Young Mr.. Arnold stamped his 70
impatiently.
"Confound you, jerry Can't you
as tell you? Drive Mrs. Arnold hor
- directly. I'm going to tramp it. So
n off,"