Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-09-26

proposed changes in the family life
because he knew that he had been
hurt to the quick, and was the more
anxious that he might not seem hard
and ~prejudiced. He realized that he
had spoken to Tom too freely, INT
that he might Offset his previous
words, he added, as he gave the latter
directions about the horses: After all,
bless the women! They look at things
differently. 1t won't do them any harm
to AVE their wi way once a year or
so, even If it is a trifle less comfort
able for us"
Cousin Olive was expected that night
on the 5 o'clock express. Everything
was in readiness. Mrs. Caswell had
been upstairs to the best chamber at
least a half a dozen times. now to
darken the room, now to rearrange the
little vase of roses on the bureau, now
to put the rugs in a different position.
Mr.. Caswell had been Obliged to stop
in the midst of his work to harness up
Ned-the most respectable of the two
horses-into the old buggy; for the
state of the exchequer had made a
new vehicle an impossibility. How
ard" sang Mrs. Caswell from the pi-
azza, has he been raked off ?"
"All the carding in the world, my
dear" responded Mr.. Caswell, cheer
fully, could not make him into a car
riage horse. | am not going to check
him higher. The poor beast is tired
out now with heat and hard work.
Yes, this is the best, and, as far as l
am aware the only whip possessed by
the Hotel de Caswell."
After the carriage was at last gone
Mrs. Caswell went in doors and dress
ed the children-they were somewhat
rebellious regarding clean clothes and
shoes and stockings In hot weather
then she took them out on the front
piazza. She suggested that little Mar
jorie play with the house dog. that
Philip get his book and read in the
hammock, and that they both be very
careful and not get their clothes soil
ed. She sat down herself in the steam
err chair-bought for the occasion
and realized for the first time in
that busy week how very busy she had
been. Everything looked just as she
had planned to have it; inside all was
as fresh and clean as possible; the pi-
azza and the lawn were cool and invit-
ing; the children made a picture suf-
ficiently pretty to warrant their moth
er's satisfaction. Nevertheless. Mrs.
Caswell felt nervous and fretful. And
how her back ached. and how sore her
feet were, Blu she had done her duty,
Ii would have bee a shame to have
all that money go out of the family!
The return of the carriage was her
aided by a cloud of dust. Mrs. Caswell
took up the piece of embroidery in her
lap. wondering In the meantime how
and when she would be able to finish
the family mending that lay in a pile
IN her closet shelf. She would have to
send her guest away somewhere on
some picnic. and get il lone when she
was gone.
There comes papa!" proclaimed
Mariory. leaving her romping with
Carlo to hide behind the big maple,
where she might eer at the advanc-
ing o less observed. AS for Master
Philip, he rose from the hammock,
and favored his strange cousin with a
stare that would have been rude in a
boy older. OF less handsome. Mrs. Cas-
well gave a resigned little sigh; the
picturesque effect OF the home tab
leau was certainly somewhat marred,
but she advanced in her best manner
to greet her guest.
Cousin Olive proved to be a plain.
Mtll uItoStu WOUldu III mluult lie, Il
little reserved in manner and with a
pair of penetrating dark eyes. She re-
turned her kinswoman's ELUSIVE well
come quietly. She commented on the
beauty of the elms. and gave the little
folks a cousinly kiss each. Phil shrug-
ged his shoulders at this "girly'' pro-
cedure, and Marjory promptly wiped
hers off on her muslin frock. The Wis
itor would go right up to her room, if
she might, and she would have some
warm tea brought her. Mr.. Caswell
looked at his wife c%uriously. He knew
that it was only the goth time that she
had climbed the stairs that day, and
he marvelled at the ~graciousness with
which she acquiesced.
During the next few weeks Mrs.
Caswells ingenuity was taxed to it's
utmost extent. No one but a housewife
similarly situated knows how hard it
is to carry forward the manifold du-
ties that devolve upon the farmers
wife in the haying season, and to keep
all the intricacies and jarring of the
machinery out of sight. 1t must be
conceded that Mrs. Caswell was a
surprise to herself. She did all the
work herself; there were huge piles
of milk pans to wash; there was but
ter TO churn and butter to work; there
were lunches to prepare for the hay
makers; and the baking that she
managed would have done credit to a
small hotel. Nevertheless, she man.
aged to keep herself and the children
neatly attired, the house immaculate
ly clean and free from flies, besides
doing the numberless little services
that her guest had learned from hab-
1t to expect done for her.
Not content with this, she planned
frequent little drives and picnics.
This sometimes interfered with the
progress of the farm work: but.
strange to say, Mr.. Caswell made no
objection other than a pair of elevat-
ed eyebrows, and it gave the perplex-
ed housekeeper a needed chance to
perform the necessary family mend.
ing, for Sue, Mrs. Caswells sister.
came from across the street on such
guide and entertainer to her newly
found cousin. The children usually