Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-09-15

stahuIns On the hltehen steps, Ashtlnl
his pipe.
Who was that fellow, Ell, he asked
Fred Taggart?"
yes, father"
Il thought so Come 70 say good-by
didn't he? Well. I'm sorry for old mar
Taggart: he sets the world by that boy
An it's pity, too. Fred was the smart.
est Teller round here at one time. for Q
young chap, an seemed 70 have the
maxim Of something uncommon. But
the smartness has all frazzled out now
in kid gloves an squeakin' boots; al
he's goin' up to the city to work for six
dollars a week, when his fathers got the
finest farm round here. an Fred could
have the runnin' Of il in a few years II
he'd stay Well. well! Fools amt all
dead yet But here comes Hank. Guess
he wants 10 see you, Ell"
Elsie had been slipping into the house
with heightened color. but turned back.
Hank was the son Of their nearest neigh
Dor, and was a good, whole-souled fell
low. with clear head and energetic hab-
its, but woefully diffident and slow OF
speech. Elsie liked him. but had never
cared to analyze what Hanks feelings
might be toward her.
As he approached them the young man
nodded to her father, who was moving
away toward the barn, and then turned
to her expectantly, with the color rising
slowly 10 the roots of his hair. But not
until her father was out OF hearing did
he speak.
Elsie" he began then, bashfully.
Fred just said good-by TO me. He'll
be gone for a long time"
Yes" tentatively, he said good-by
to me-"
There's that rehearsal to-nlght-Sat-
urday night. you know. Elsie. he went
on. TITS quite a long walk, and-and
you'll be needing somebody to go with
you. thought I'd better run over before
any Of the other boys got round
Il can so alone just as well as not,
Hank It's bright moonlight"
Yes, yes, | know It's desperately. |
But there's rehearsals next week. and |
church tomorrow night and-and |
there's all summer long. and All next |
winter. II won't be moonlight all the ]
time. You'll need somebody TO walk |
with you or course Amt asking you |
70 keep company with me. hurriedly: /
'only-only you'll need somebody till /
Fred gets back, and I'm handiest"
I'm not engaged to Fred. proudly.
No, of course not | know that-or
thought so. But he sort OF kept company
with YOU. and-and-I'm handIest. Elsie,
and you'll sure need somebody, and
and YOU and will understand.
She looked at him thoughtfully.
Yes, you and | would understand,
Hank" she said, "and maybe will need
somebody sometimes. Yes, you may
come for me- Hank"
The rest came about naturally. Hank
became Elsies steady company. as the
neighboring young people said; but
Hank and Elsie themselves understood.
And Fred, when he returned home for a
lew days at Christmas, understood. too,
and he wrung Hanks hand and called
him good fellow for protecting his girl
from the other boys
Before the end Of the next year there i
was rumor that Freds father was not
quite satisfied. The firm had not adj :
ganeed Fred as il ought He was still
six dollars a week, and money /
had to be sent from home TO pay for his Z
,lothes then his letters were filled with :
.heaters and the proper things in high
ife, with nothing about his work
BY this time Hank had developed into
! tall, broad-shouldered young man, =
capable Of managing the farm
which was now almost wholly under his
are.
Then one day Fred suddenly appeared 9
among them, jaunty as ever, and home
or good, as he said The city was too
crowded and unsatisfying; and besides,
lis father needed him to manage the
arm And all he brought for his two
ears work and the money sent him was
i large diamond which flashed upon one
4 his fingers, and experience
The very night Of his arrival he
dressed himself with all the elaborate
less of his city knowledge and went
cross to Elsie's home. She received
lin in the parlor, in the pretty white
Iress which he remembered she was
aving made for her graduation. As
he entered the room. something In her
fright. winsome beauty, so different
rom the chalky compilations of the
hop girls he had become acquainted
With. made him step forward impul-
lively.
Why, you'Fe beautiful, Elsie. " he ex-
laimed. Il had no idea. It's fine to BE
lone again. Amt you glad to see me?"
yes, indeed | am. Fred, she answered
rankly, as she gave him both her hands
II Will be nice to have you with US
gain.
Fred laughed complacently and settled
imself comfortably in the easiest chair
n the room. "Oh. by the way, Elsie"
e said presently, mother told me there
ras to be a party over to Hull's Wednes-
ay night Shall we go? haven't got
ly invitation vet. but it'll come soon's