Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-02-26
PHOENIX. BRATTLEBORO, FRIDAY. February 26 1904.


assured the other that she would be the
one selected. The only difference was
this: Dephinc said it honestly, Caudacc
merely to torment her friend Dclphiuc
believed in the depths of her simple
soul that Melvin was regular caller at
the big white house because of the chance
ana apparently careless remarks that
Candacc let fall as to what Melvin said
to her about this and that She came to
dread Candace's frequent visits, yet long
for them She waited for a call as for
a blow which could not be avertcd-in
criugins submission.
still when it came she was not prepared
for it. One July afternoon she had taken
her basket of mending out on the south
porch and settled herself in straight
backed chair when the gate opened sud
denly and Mrs Blake swept up the walk.
For once she looked heated and excited.
DelphineS heart rose suddenly into her
throat and so filled it that the words,
We'll Can" could scarcely force them
selves out
Candace dropped into the rocker OPP
poste Dolphine and began To fan herself
vigorously and rock rapidly. 1t was UNI
like Mrs Blake. Delphinc felt the change
in the atmosphere and all her world
darkeued.
Land, Amt it hot?" exclaimed CAN
dace.
some" murmured Delphine. laying her
stocking down, for her haild shook so she
could not control her needle.
such muss as I've got to 20 into
continued Candace She meant to thrill
her tone with disgust. hut. instead, it
rang with triumph
Delphine cleared her throat to hide the
tremolo i'm her faint What"
Candace eyed her. There's all that
house of Melvn's to bc gone over this
hot weather Imagine that"
Delphine tried to speak. Her large
face turned from rcd to a faint grecnish
pallor as she managed to artiCulate. II
told YOU you'd she could get no fur
Their.
Candace seemed. for once. not to notice
her friends confusion. Kindly she
looked attentively ut the turnpike and
said. brightly: "Oh. yes, / know you've
said all along that Melvin would call ON
me. He wouldn't take "a no
when do YOU go"" came husNly from
Mrs Miles. tier voice proclaimed that
tears were not far off
We'll, I've promised to shut up my
house and 20 down tomorrow. Guess
| might as we'll if I'm goin' to get his
house into living order 10y November. Not
a mite OF clcanin done since Mandy died
My stars 1t won't do for me to ho set
tin around with all that work ON hand.
| just run down to borrow your ceilin
broom. Such a lookiu' place You must
come up ana see IT, We'll II YOU Il lehd
the broom, / must he goin
Armed with the celllnS- broom ''hda''
departed, every movement OF u'r ShI''
procaiming victory. The north Kitchen
door dld not open IT'S usual crack 'h'S
time. what was IN" use. me dl' was
cast and Mrs llal5c. not Mrs. Miles was
installed as MclNiu's houSc-koepor and
Delphlnes world was "a temporary hl"nh.
The days passed Slowly even Wh'h Su'
had again taken To opening the north
Kitchen door and sitting opposite where
she could eaten ghmpses OF tho Timber
Candace's progress from room to room
IN her houSe-'ieanlhg course.
Candace was too busy to call at the
niue brown mouse therefore All 'nht Del
phine Knew she had TO observe. SH' ire
PuentlN wondered when II was comm
of meaning Mclvin's wedding ana con-
cluded that 1t would transpire after
harvesting. And so 1t ala.
one afternoon when Candace had he'n
at MeINins about -FOUR weeks belphlho
head the rattle If the chain at the we'll
curb back OF her house. She went TO
the open window ana looked out MeNlh
Hrown was drinking. lie had Just com"
from the oat-heid' cIad IN ms plue over
ais. TheN needed patching, Dolphin"
noted, and determined to tell Candace
W "a 90 'ff'' - -
Afternoon. Mis- Miles, said Melvin
socially.
lie leaned his rake against the Well
curb and pushing ms hls straw nat well
back ON his head, came up 10 IN" win
dow. l was comm down after supper
ne SAID Sldue OF embarrassment 'T'er-
ing INTO his stuhple- bearded f"ce
wanted To ask ye To 30 me good turn
DeIpalne sh""k OF IN sudden excite
IncNt ana leaned over the window Sill
You might as well come yet sh" sald
eagerly
MelNins embarrassment increased
wall ! guess Ill ask YOU now ana save
time ne SAD. canGldiy. ..
He turned ana eNpectorated sklllfnUy
over pea OF p3nSleS' me movement
gave pelphlne time 1" recover herself
She tremhled no more. but stood upright
again. wv ell she SAID IN nara voice
Il want that we should do little hakin
for me. Could Yef Melvin discovered "a
straw cl!nging To his coat and gave II
his undivided attention
DO some bakln Tor YOU? Gasped
Delphine. FOR the land sakes' When
Melvin began chewing one end of the
straw whlle he hung on to the other end.
For next sunday and that week. some
pies, ana pnddln ana cakes ana slch
stun
Delrhine gasred' 1t was to happen.
She wouldn't like 1t, I'm afraid.
VINO? asked Melvin olankly.
why, Mis- Blake.
NIrig 1fGf p1glya