Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-02-02
JOBS RUSE.

hemlock forests all draped with er-
mine fringes of snow-the hills and
valleys white as if they We're coated
with pearl, while from the farmhouse
chimneys in the gray thickets of leaf
less naples under the rocks blue
spiral of spoke went wreathing and
curling up into the steely January sky,
aud the sunset, reflected on the myriad
tiny window panes of the western
front, made an orange sparkle OF
brightness that supplied the otherwise
lacking element of color to the frlSld
landscape.
Farmer Westerbrook had just
brought in an armful OF snow-crusted
logs from the woodpile at the north
end of the house, throwing them down
on the ample stone hearth with
noise like a small earthquake, when
Sibyl Harrington started up.
"Five o'clock! Oh, [ hadn't an
idea it was so late. 1 must be going. )"
"Allow me to accompany you, Miss
Harrington.
"You will let me see you home,
Sibyl?"
Captain Meredith and Max Crossley
both spoke at once and rose stimuli
taneously, but Sibyl shook her head.
"I would prefer to walk alone," she
said, gayly.
"And about the sleighing party to-
morrow night?" said Max anxiously.
ct have half promised Captain
Meredith" said the village beauty, her
long eyelashes dropping and delicate
shade of rose suffusing her cheek.
''But, Sibyl, thought it was an un-
derstood matter between you and me
three good weeks ago!' Max exclaimed
with contracting brows.
.sWas it? 1 am sure had forgot
ten It'll"
Max was silent. Captain Meredith's 8
smooth, softly intoned voice filled up
the silence.
"I exact no PROMISES" he said gal
lantly; ''but if 1 am not punctual to
the hour and the spot Miss Harrlng-
ton may draw her own conclusions. "
And Sibyl went out. her Eight foot
steps making low, pleasant music on
the brittle snow.
She was very pretty, this gazelle-
eyed New England damsel, with big
blue eyes turning to limpid purple
whenever she was in the least excited;
hair short, hung in golden fringe
over her broad, low forehead, and the
sweetest of rosy mouths, with three
sentinel dimples on cheeks and chin!
Max Crossley had loved her ever since
they were children together, and Cap
tain Meredith, who had come down to
pass the holidays with his cousins, the
Westerbrooks, had been caught in the
meshes of that bronze-gold hair and
the interlacing network of the lashes
that overhung the purple-blue eyes
and had prolonged his visit into Janu-
ary.
upon my word, she's regular
beauty" said the captain, staring
through the tiny window panes at the
retreating footsteps of Miss Harring-
ton.
Max Crossley looked quickly up at
him, as if he would have particularly
liked to knock him over the andirons
in among the logs; but perhaps he
thought better of it, for he refrained
from any such demonstration.
ga beauty" went on the captain,
''and it's a thousand pities she should
be thrown away on any of the country
pumpkins who vegetate among these
wildernesses. Job, you young villain,
are those boots of mine blacked yet?''
Farmer Westerbrook' hired boy,
who had just come in to warm his en-
purpled hands at the merry, red blaze,
looked gum.
''No, they ain't," said Job, brusque-
ly.
"Well, what's the reason?"
"'Cause I amt 'ad time
''See that you find time, then, and
that quickly, too!'' said the captain.
And Job glowered after him as he
went gayly up the stairs.
''I just wish I had the servin' O.
him out" said Job, gloomily ''It's
Job, do this, aud Job, do that, ant
Job, where's the warm water?'and Job
what the deuce do you mean by lettin
my fire go out? rs if I was his bono
slave, and not red cent has he gu,
me yet--no, nor SO much as pleasan
word! wonder if he means to sta,
here always"
''You and I are equally partial t.
him, Job, said Max Crossley, laugh
ing.
ST heard him talking with Mis-,
Sibyl about goin' sleigh ridin' tomor
row night" said Job, shrewdly. ..
should jes' like to put Kicking Bill,
in the shafts, 1 would. if it warren
for Miss Sibyl. He don't know moth
in about horses, that there mlliti
cap'n don't"
And Job chuckled.
II say, Mr.. Crossley," he resumed
ttWlY don't Won 0at bafnrphan w III