Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-14

element up in Sandgntc,"
es-SST Albert said to his friend the
G-AEsg day they started for TINT
quiet village. at is q small place, and
all the people do In the winter IS &c
chop wood, shovel snow, eat and &c
to meeting. We shall go slcighin9, and
I shall take you to church to he stared
at, and for the rest Alice and Aunt
Susan will give us plenty to eat
1t was nearly dark and showing
when they reached %Sandgate. and when
Frank Mason saw a plump. glrlish fig
IRE with slightly whltcncd garments
rush forward, almost jump into hi.
friends arms and kiss him vehement
ly. it occurred to him that q welcome
home by such n sister was worth com.
ing many miles for.
Then he heard his name mumblcd in
n hurried Introduction and. as he
raised his hat, saw this girl Withdraw
n small hand from a mitten and offer
it to him.
II am very glad to meet you, Mr..
Mason" she said with a bright smile
my brother has told me no much
about You | feel almost acouainted.'
And then. turning TO that brother she
added. II have the horse hitched out.
side. Bert, SO we will go right home.'
She led the way. and when they had
slowed their belongings in the sleigh
she said. You can hold me in your
lap, Bert, and I'll drive. I'm used TO
it now She chirruped to the rather
dociIe horse, and AZ the bells began
to jingle she added. What have you
got in that box. Bcrtie:'
ASK me no questions. and I'll tell
you no fbs, Miss Curious" he an
swered. "Wait until tomorrow, and
then III show YOU"
When they drove into the yard he
said: Take Frank right in. sis, and
I'll unharness."
1t was quite dark now but Frank
noticed as he gathered up the bags
and bundles and followed his hostess
that tn, rather stately house was
aglcw with light.
Leave your hat and coat here In
the hail, Mr.. Mason" she said cordial
", and 90 right into the parlor and
get warm. You will kindly excuse
me now. I'm first and second girl
hOusemaid and cook, and | must &c
and help Aunt Susan TO get supper
ready. You two gentlemen are hun
cry, I'm sure"
1t was not a formal reception. but
it was Il cordial one. which was bet
ter, and when Frank entered the par
lor he was surprised at the cheerful
sight. for the room was festooned al
around with ropes of evergreen The
long mantel owe the fireplace, bright
with flames, was banked with a mass
OF green, and against each white lace
curtain hung a wreath. In Il corne
stood an upright piano, in sharp con
trast with the rather antique hair
cloth chairs and sofa. He had jus
drawn n chair to the fire when Alder
came in and gave n low whistle at thu
sight of the decorations. That's ont
of the perQuisitcs of a country school
ma'am." he observed, land I'll bet III,
boys that gathered all this green 10,
Alice enjoyed getting 1t. I used Il
when | was n boy. Well. old fellow,
he added, addressing Frank, here w
are, and you must make yourself a
home
Then Alice came in and announced
supper, and after Aunt Susan had bcel
introduced they all sat down. 1t wa
an old fashioned meal, for, while III
brother helped to the ham and eggs ant
fried potatoes, Aunt Susan served tn
ounce preserves and passed the ho
biscuit aud Alice poured the tea. Th
table. too, had a Christmas touch, 70
around the mat where the lamp stoo
was a green wreath Frightened wit
clusters OF red berries. 1t was all
charming picture. and not the least O
it was the fair girl who SO graciotsl
played the hostess. When the meu
Was over she said.
"Now you TWO gentlemen must e
into the parior and smoke, and III joi
you later. ! command you to smoke,
she added impcriously. for | want tn
house 10 smell as if there was a ma
around"
When she came in later, wearing he
new house dress, she drew her chat
close TO her brothers and, resting he
elbows on his knee and her chin in he
open palms, she looked up and sal
with Il wltching smile.
"Now, Bertic, I've done all | could fc
your comfort, so now please tell III
what Is in that long, fiat box 20
brought"
"You are a bewitching coaXcr, sis.
he answered, "but | am hard hearted
III make n trade with you, though
First tell us all about your schoo
teaching and sing us all the songs
ask for, and then I'll open the box"
"You are very modest in your wants,
she replied archly, but, like all mel
you must be humored to keep you goo
natured, | presume"
Il wish you would tell us about yol
school, Miss Page" put in Frank. "Yo
are not a bit like the schOOlma'am
my boyhood, and l would like to kno'
how you manage children"
well, 1t was a little hard at first
she answered, "for boys and girls
ten and twelve have surprisingly kee
intuitions, and it seemed TO me the
: made n study of my face from the fir
and concluded was soft hearted,