Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27

MY 1atner-yeS, leu tilk OI IatHer
He was Judge of horses, he was. Whei
he died, there were three mares in tina
stable not to be beat this side of Albany
but those devils of executors sold them
= and I-well, you had a chance to tes
the speed of old Bess yesterday. You
weren't afraid Of being thrown out
take it. Great Scott, to think of MAJ
of my tastes owning no other horse thar
that !"
lyon have not answered my ques
! ton, | suggested turning him about
| and moving toward the gate
"Oh about the way my father looked
, What does that matter? He was hand
, some though. Folks say that get what
, ever good looks | have from him. He
was big-bigger than am, and while
he lived What did you make a fellow
talk for?''
| don't know why 1 did, but was
certainly astonished at the result. This
great, huge lump of selfish clay had ac-
! tually shown feeling and was ashamed
of it, like the lout he was
yesterday, said /, anxious to
change the subject, 81 had difficulty in
getting in through that gate we are
pointing for. Couldn't you lift it
straight with just little effort?'
He paused, looked at me to see if
were in earnest, then took logged step
toward the gate | was still indicating
with my resolute right hand, but before
be could touch it he saw something on
that deserted and ominous highway
which made him start in sudden sur
prise.
"Why, Trohm," he cried, sis that
you? Well, it's an age since have seen
you turn that corner on visit to u.s. "
"Some time, certainly" answered
hearty and pleasant voice, and before /
could quite drop the look of mingled
severity with which / was endeavoring
to shame this young man into some de-
cent show of interest in this place and
assume the more becoming aspect of
lady caught unawares at an early morn
ing hour plucking flowers from stunt
ed syringa gentleman stepped into
sight on the other side of the fence with
look and bow SO genial and devoid
of mystery that / experienced for the
first time since entering the gloomy pre-
cincts of this town complete sensation
of pleasure,
Miss Butterworth, explained Mr..
Knollys with somewhat forced gesture
In my direction. "A guest of my sis
ter " he went on and looked as if he
hoped would retire, though he made
no motion to welcome Mr.. Trohm ill.,
but rather leaned little conspicuously
on the gate as if anxious to show that he
had no idea that the others intention
went any further than the passing Of a
few neighborly comments at the gate.
like TO please the young even when
they are no more agreeable than this
host Of mine, and if the gentleman who
had Just shown himself had been equal
ly immature would certainly have left
them to have their talk out undisturb-
ed, but he was not He was older; he
was even of sufficient years for the
Judgment to have been thoroughly ma
tured and his every faculty developed I
/ therefore could not see why my So
ciety would be considered an intrusion
by him, so | waited and was the recipi-
ent of his next sentence.
81 am happy, said he, "to have the
pleasure of personal introduction to
Miss Butterworth. | did not expect it.
The surprise is all the more agreeable.
l only anticipated being allowed to
leave this package and letter with the
maid. They are addressed to you, mad
am, and were left at my house by mis-
take. "
l could not hide my establishment.
Il live in the next house below,
said he 1.-The boy who brought these
from the postotfice-you see they are
registered mail matter, madam-was a
stupid lad, and could not induce him
to come any farther up the road. | hope
you will excuse the present messenger
and believe there has been no delay"
bowed with what must have seem
ed an distracted politeness The letter
was from New York, and, as l strongly
from Mr.. Gryce. Somehow
this fact created i'll me an unmistakable
| put both letter and
package in my pocket and endeavored
to meet the gentleman eye with my
strangers. But, strange to say, | had no
sooner done so than | saw that he was
40 more at his ease than myself He ,
smiled, glanced at William, made an
0ffhand remark or so about the wealth ,
er, but he could not deceive eyes sharp :
ened by such experience as mine. Some
thing disturbed him, something connect
I'd with me. 1t made my cheek a little {
lot to acknowledge this even to myself, :
but it was SO very evident i'll his whole .
ook and manner that | began to cast Z
about for the means of Kidding ourselves s
If William when that laundering youth !
spoke: 6
II suppose he was afraid to come up S
he lane. Do you know, | think you re q
brave to attempt it, Trohm. We haven't :
very good name up here" And with
sudden, perfectly unnatural burst he .
,roke out into one of his huge outlaws q
hat so shook the old gate on which he r
vas leaning that 1 thought it would o
umble down with him before our eyes
| saw Mr. Trohn start and cast a look 6
II which | seemed to see both surprise !,
nd horror before he turned tc me and
fifth an air of polite depreciation anx- n
ously said: :.
Il am afraid Miss Butterworth will q
lot understand your illusions, Mr.. =
lnollys. l hear this in her first visit in q