Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-07-24
A FAIR EXCHANGE.
An Old-Home-Week Story.

An OlO-F1Ome-WCGk StOTT.
Mrs. Crompton was in a nutter Of ex-
element. Besides being one OF the Re
ception Delegation, a Patroness Of the
Grand Ball. and Convener of the Old
HomeWeek Committee Of Hospitality.
she was to entertain the Honorable Josiah
Hilton, who was to come all the way
from Texas to be the orator OF the week s
festivities.
She sighed as she wondered II he had
changed, and she could not refrain from
a glance at her mirror to satisfy herself
OF the permanency Of her own charms.
1t was a handsome face that looked back
at her; the face of a woman in the prime
Of a perfectly matured womanhOod.
She had placed two rooms in her finely
appointed home at the service OF loyal
Nermonters, and il was with no small de-
gree of satisfaction to her that the honor
able gentleman and his nephew had fallen
TO ner lot. She was pleased to renew the
acquaintance with the uncle and was
secretly hopeful that the nephew might
interest Sadie. 1t would take her mind
of that unfortunate schoolgirl love af-
fair which had so disturbed their sum-
mer's peace. Mrs. Crompton smiled com
placently as she thought how cleverly
she had nipped that affaire d amour in
the bud, for she well knew her niece 10
be as willful as she was pretty. As that
out to her the undesi rability Of such an
| ENHANCEMENT. Sadie argued with the
| fuency OF a second Portia. Then, losing
her temper, Mrs. Crompton scolded. Sadie
| wept but was still obdurate. Finally a
| prompt discontinuance OF all communica-
ton was ordered. The letters ceased 10
come. and IL was presumable that they
had ceased to 20 also In place Of spend
ing her mornings scribbilng Sadie took
| long horseback rides on Kentucky
| Belle"
The rides were doing her good, Mrs
| Crompton reflected. only that morning
| hvr niece had gone out pale and heavy
eyed. and returned from her gallon
| across the hills with sparkling eyes ant
rosy cheeks Clearly she was learning tC
| forget the University student. who mac
courage Mrs. Crompton metally desig
| mated IL as " cheek %. Some day Sadi,
would rise up and call her blessed for pre-
| venting such a mesalliauce. II was a re
lief TO have the affair over, and Sh'
paused To listen to her niece's clear swee
voice singing blithely as she busted her
| self among the decorations. Her def
fingers banked flowers and trailed vine
| until the house was a bower Of fra gran
| beauty.
Do you suppose the Honorable Mr.
Hilton will appreciate all this, Aun
SARAH Sadie inquired. with a wave O
her hand as she sank YEARLY into a chat
To watch her aunt draw on her gloves pre-
paratory to departing TO meet her guests
OF course he will. child. and ii h
should not, | do" and she leaned owe
and fondly kissed the fair young Cir
&c go and rest dear, until We return"
II was with mingled emotions that Mrs
Crompton welcomed the Honorable Josia
Hilton.
Why-why. Sarah. how handsome yo
are still. and as young ever" and h
shook her hand as only a man can shak
who has not seen home and home peopl
for nearly ~ years. " Allow me to pre-
sent my nephew, Mr.. Charles Hamilton
He is an out-and-out Texan. but when h
heard that | was coming, nothing woul
do but that he must come too, to see hi
fathers old home. Well-well. how goo
il is to be back again among the old IA
miliar scenes"
" And such a pleasure for US to hav
our friends come back TO see US. Is II nc
a delightful idea-this yearly At Home
to renew old acquaintance and form ne'
ones?' and Mrs. Crompton turned TO NJ
Hamilton with charming smile. Sh
saw a tall. athletic fellow, with a whole
some complexion, frank blue eyes an
wavy chestnut hair Just as Joe locke
. |
could not Sadie fall in love with som
well-connected fellow like that?"
" Any children, Sarah?" asked the Hor
orable Josiah as he seated himself in IN
carriage.
- None of my own, but my niece live
with me. Otherwise, since Mr.. Crompto
died l should have been quite alone"
Both sighed, and involuntarily locke
over at the old elm tree on the hillsid
| hnr hnf Iowa fta ~ nod falya
place-the quarrel which sent him heaC
long into a new country and her TO
marriage of pique.
- And you, josiah she said timidly
' l never married" he answered SLOW
ly, " was true 10 my loves youn
dream" and he looked at her searchingl.
Mrs. Crompton crimsoned and the
grew deadly pale. Young Hamilton sa
nothing He was drinking in the pun
mountain air, and feasting his eyes O
, misty highlands and verdant intervale
! He did not notice the long pause and II
renewal of commonplace. until he wa
: brought back TO mis- immediate SURROUND
I ings by the voice OF his hostess.
: Here We are at The Crest We
I come, in this your first Homecoming
the dear old Mother State, and may tn
be the precursor OF many happy r
, unions"
: Mr.. Hilton hastily 'ew his hand aero!
his eyes They were suspiciously mois
; and he coughed with, unnecessary VII
lence TO clear his throat. On the broa
piazza before him ne sew a vision of cir
( ish loneliness. Just as Sarah looked b.
= fore 1 went to Texas, ne thought, :" WI
: couldn't Charlie fail in love with son
4 sweet, country girl liks that?'
In another moment the introduction
r were over and Sadie had cordially gree
: ed the honorable Josiah, and rather col
r ly shaken hands with the nephew 81
= quite ignored him at luncheon. and ST
a diously avoided him all the afternoo
= Mrs. Crompton was disappointed and a
o noyed. She felt it her duty to expost
late with her niece, bat the opportuni