Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-07-18

"if ANYTHING of the kind were In con
templotion. But il isn't so. You are
going out TO make the acquaintance or
my mother, and you will lind her ready
to welcome you, be sure of that. of
course" he added in rather stammer'
ing fashion, 81 hope you on your
side will be-well, conciliatory and
nice. You need not take it as If II
were n hostile challenge between two
women, each anxious to criticise the
other. If you go out there determined
TO make friends, Nancy, it will be all
right
She looked rather blank for a second
or two. IF | go, it will be for your
sake, Richard" she said, but what
am most afraid of is that ! shall be so
terrified as to be able to do nothing.
Your mother will think me stiff or Ill
hammered or stupid when | am simply
frightened. You see, you are all i'm
petuosity and eagerness; you don't
care: you don't consider what an awk-
ward position | shall be in. 1t is not
as if | were being taken out to visit
your mother by some acquaintance
knowing us both. am presented to
her all of O sudden, as some one who
proposes to become her daughter-in-
law. It's nothing TO you. You think
it is all right and natural, but it is
dreadful for me. l know what she
will be thiuking-tbat | am n forward,
impairment mink without any delicacy
of feeling or propriety of conduct
ooh, yes" he broke in scornfully;
"she is likely to think that of you after
she has spoken to you for three min
utes! That is precisely your charac-
ter, Nanciebel-you are so brazen In
audacity"
and when is this fearful thing to
be got through, Richard, dearF asked
Nancy, looking down.
Tomorrow afternoon" he said, with
! ineffable impudcnce, just as If his
mother had made the appointment Il
will bring in the pony chaise for you
and drive you out"
"But-but where shall l meet your
she asked again.
81 will come FOR YOU" he answered.
Not into the High street, she hint
ed timidly.
"Why not|
"The people would talk" she said
with lowered eyes.
LET them talk" he answered boldly
at is time this hole and corner ar
rangement was done with. | want the
whole thing to lie recognized now
When they see Miss Nancy NARROW
driving out to Woodend, | dare say
they will talk. SO much the better!
am not for half measures"
"No, you never are, Richard Nancy
said, with bit of a sigh. And won
der what will come of it ALL"
Nor did she cease to be timorOus an(
apprehensive. 1t was bad enough tina
she was going out to Woodend ION ap
prevail" but it was ever so much wors
that the neighbors should know it, o
guess at il. from the fact of his driving
in to the High street to call for her
Don't you think. Richard, dear,
said she at last, ''it would be better i
| met you somewhere little way GU
of the town say at the railwa
bridge
"Then you would have to walk a.
that way through the snow, Nancy,
he pointed out, land your boots woul
get wet, or even muddied, if there wa
thaw. You see, want you to be a
neat as a new pin, as you always are
not that | care about such things my
self. AS long as your heart is war;
and loving, what do | mind what dres
you wear"
81 understand" Nancy said at once
with quick perception. "You are quit
right, Richard. What would your mott
er say if | went with bedraggled skirt
and soiled boots? OF course, of cours'
you are quite right. You must com
for me, and Jim will see that the pave
ment is dry"
"Have you any white rose scent fC
your handkerchief, NancyY" he aske,
, '"That is the only scent the mate
seems fond of. No? Then I'll try
, get some and send it in to you tn
evening. Oh, you will make col
quest, be sure!
| what time tomorrow afternoo
Richard, must l be ready?"
/, "Four. Will that DOR
every well. Now l must be gOir
! back into the town. Four o'clock t
I morrow afternoon. Oh, DEAR wish
was all overv' said Nancebel plat
: lively.
f And perhaps the gentle little wido
+ out there at Woodend had some SUE
0 thought in her mind when her son to
i her of His proposed visit on the folio,
v ing day. 1t is true she knew what w
/ expected of her. Her role had BET
e pointed out to her that evening
l. which Richard had slipped the gre
+ volume into her hand. And indeed s.
t had made up her mind that If the G
G on whom he had set his affectio
e seemed to have an amiable dispositi'
" and good manners she would not allo
: the fact of her having stood behind
G, counter to influence her mind.
many young men had done worse. Al
le even if there were some little defe
here or there, some lack of sensiti,
ness or refinement, might not that ri
1t way to womanly sympathy and gu
D. ance? This little woman was prepar
W to do good deal for her beloved Sc
IN Whom else had she to care for in {
II world?
If And yet, Notwithstanding all the
~ kindly and considerable resolves a
err notwithstanding the diligent coachl
~ that NanciebeI had received from |
n sweetheart. it must be confessed Il
x the meeting between the two won