Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-12-12


gar display of authority in the ques-
ton.
well, if you're passing that way in
half an hour you might see if the fires
all right. Come, Mary; play me some.
thing on the piano
The younger man turned white. He
began to tremble.
Let me first offer Mr.. Deery glass
of lemonade" she said, advancing with
it and trembling also and as white. as
was he.
Very proper; lemonade for boys.
Hard stuff for you and me, chg chuc,
killed. Holloway, nudging Mr. Wilson.
who was poor enough to stand the fel-
lows insolence just because of occa-
siOnal addiction TO the cup.
Mr.. Wilson laughed Il little uneasy
laugh. and Holloway roared.
Mary felt herself shrink under the
insult. Percy took the glass and, turn
ing full to his employer, said, glaring
at him:
Yes, lemonade is for boys-and
men,
What was the matter with that New
Years microbe?
Even politeness could not prevent the
pause and the silence Could it be pos,
sible?
Perhaps he'll take smoke,
though sneered Dick, bent on making
Percy ridiculous. Offer him the box,
Mr.. Wilson"
Percy took a cigar He held it in his
left hand while he slipped his lemonade
and chatted with courteous Mrs. Will
son. He began to grow brilliant and
bold. Mary's eyes frightened. She was
getting proud of him. Presently Mr..
Wilson said something about politics
to Holloway, and they differed. Hollo-
way grew loud in his disputaton. Turn
ing suddenly to him, Percy said:
"Mr. Holloway. stop! You are quite
mistaken"
Even Dick was silent in his astonish-
ment. Mary grew fairly radiant
"Will you have just little wine, Mr..
Derry asked Mr.. Wilson, rising with
new and joyous inspiration. There
might be good stuff in this chap after
ALL according to his views of good
stuff
From Mary's father | will not re-
fuse to take it," was the astounding
reply.
Tears stood in Mary's eyes. She had
been SO proud of his sudden show of
spirit, but now he was going too far
She shook her head at him secretly. 1t
was enough. AS Mr.. Wilson poured
out the wine for him he arose, took
her hand and, raising the glass, de-
clared that he was about to propose a
toast.
ITO the girl love- Miss Maryr' he
cried, and, putting down the wine I'M
der the reminder conveyed with pres
sure of her hand, he took up his lem
onade and quickly gulped it down.
Mary pressed his hand again in warm
approval.
The younger Miss Wilson made a
face to her mother which expressed the
opillol luul MI. bSNi y W DIS ludhillS Il
ninny of himself The younger Miss
Wilson, by the way, had no sweet
heart.
That's what | call a down-hic-
right insult to Mr.. Wilson" hiccough-
ed Holloway. Come, young fellow.
I'll drive you downtown. | guess I'd
better take you home before you make
any more bad breaks" He lighted his
cigar as he stood up.
Percy dropped Mary's hand aud
looked grimly at him. The whole fam
lily protested that nothing wrong had
occurred, but goodbys and renewed
good wishes were said and Mr.. Wilson
and his guests went out to the shed
where the horse was standing attached
to the buggy.
Mr.. Wilson," said Percy, give me
match, please. I'm going to smoke my
first cigar. I'm going to be just little
bit devilish. I'm going to be man
Pretty near time" sulkily broke In
Holloway.
"a man fit for your daughter, sir,
ana SO Ieel cdlleu UPON W dpoioSiZe
for the rudeness"-
That's more like it," broke in Dick
again.
-"of this fellows smoking in pres
ence Of your wife and daughters, SIR
continued Percy, not noticing the inter-
ruption. IF it were not for the place
you stand in, Holloway" cried he hot
ly, I'D punch your facet
"Why, you white livered little
Crack! The fist of the younger man
caught Holloway on the jaw, and down
he went in heap. And down beside
him. purple faced, fell Percy, roaring
out as he fell:
Darn you, anyway"
Both lay unconscious in the light
snow.
"Well, this is nothing serious" said
old DR.. Morris, examining through a
microscope drop of his patients
blood; "a mild rush of blood to the