The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1904-08-11
and borrow her dinner

Milleiit and borrow her dinner,
What cried Barbara, fairly MIoundc
by the magnltude and OF yinsllsy ot hc
young sisters idea.
send Benny, sAid Llscsle, Tell her W
~ill return Il next week. write note al,
ssy that pspa has lnvl,ed a gentleman 4
dinner, and that We haven't mouihful q
to eat In the house, erccp, bread AZ,
cheese. Mrs. Milictt 10 sn excellent cook
she always has something nice. And thi
will help US out Of our dllemma.
Yes, sighed Barbara, but there's m,
muslin dress, Why couldn't the man ,tar
away uutil had modelled Il over, like III,
plste In the fashion mag,Ilne'
Nver mled the fashion mage se, said
Liseltc, but run and set the table 81 fast ~
you can, And be sure that ycu put on The
very best cups, aud rem mhcr to turn the
cloth so tha. the darned spot viii come
under the tea tray.
Aud downstairs sped little Barbara with
checks as rosy red s. cherries, and black
bralds bresl.ng loose from their pins 10 a
confusion Of shining 1T. while the guest,
sitting eomposedly ont upon the porch,
had heard all and had hsd full tine and
opportunity to comprehend the entire slt.
ustion.
secm to have arrived at an lnopp ortune
season, said he to linsef. I'm sorry now
that accepted good old DIR. Blooms cor
daily pr, 0 red hospitality. But sm n-
ther to substantial too vanish down a crack
and too real to ilost Up ln a pun or vapor,
like the genli In the children's story books,
80 must Just remain here aud abide until
the en- OF It.
Three minutes after ward, when 4 til Ben,
the young ct Of the family, rushed whist
ling cut with covered basket, he was deft.
ly intercepted by the stranger.
Where are you going, young man ques-
TONED be 10 q low voice.
To the Widow Milletrs, said Benny, with
a note.
Don't % there, said The stranger. Go
across the woods to the Hall instesd-it Ia
but few steps farther-lnd give this card
to the old housekeeper there. AID, bark
ye, Iommy--
Benny, sir, please, explained the lad.
Benny thon-don't let your young ladies
know that you haven't obeyed their orders.
III make II all right with them, and there's
A shilling for you.
Benny darted away, with his face all
smiles, and Just then up came the old doc.
tor hlmsef, ap)logizlng for having been
30 long in finding the dusty old volume
which he carried under his arm.
But always lose track Of time when |
get among my books, said he.
Barbara had just come downstairs after
hurried toilet, which had added pink rib.
Jon to her dress aud cream.c colored rose
o the heavy blhck braiis Of her hair, when
he found Lsette In the little dioing room.
Barbara, cried Lisette, just look here Is
t enchsntment that has been AZ work,
For upon the table was spread collation.
u cold ham, sardines glisteuing In their
ragrant OIL chicken salad, iced sponge
AXE, grapes and Strawberries as large as
pples. o. the 1)or two or three long.
ecked claret bottles protruded from q pail
4 Ice, and slender roll OF French bread
vas cut In slices In the centre OF the table,
while half dozen pates de foie graa, IN
heir little metallic cans, stood opposite.
Benny's big eyes, watching them from
ehnd the lilac bush that shaded the win
ow, grew preternaturally bright as he
oted their amtzament, and at the same
ime the doctor shu ID in, all unconscious
I his carelessly buttoned dressing gown,
nd ushered his guest into the preserc, OF
lis daughters.
Here's Mr.. Du'clmer, I.lsctte, said he.
barbara, little girl, here's our neighbor,
be young squire. Dulcimer, let me pre-.
ent you to my girlf Blonde and Brunette,
5 we sometimes call en-, hs, hs, ha,
And 10 the midst Of their CONSERVATION
I'D perple xly, Lsette and Barbara were
bliged to assume the part Of gracious and
ndisturbed yourg hostesses.
They all enjoyed their lmpromptu lunch
J spite OF the mystery that surrounded 1t,
I'd when Mr.. Dulcimer returned to the
Iall they all walked hallway through the
oods = h him.
He disappeared into the woods, leaving
arbara and Llsette looking with amaze
ent into ore another's eyes.
Lisetto cried Barbara breathlessly, is
possible that he couli have heard what
e said?
He certai y has Lisette made answer,
i.h comic gesture Of despair.
And then Benny was called into the wit :
,ss box and made to own up that the ele.
int luncheoa came direct from Dulcimer D
all, and thlrgs seemed worse than ever.
We arc rightly punished, said Barbara,
lrstipg into teara, for our inhospitality.
nd ncvtr-Gtyer shall forgive myself or y
r. Dulclmer.
But she did. She forgaye both before .
e young mooD, now hanging over the
lls like thread tf silver, had widered
to l,s foil shield Of luminous pearl.
We are fiiends, she smIlingly acknow- a
Iged to Mr.. Dulcimer. q
81 far so gold said the yourg squire.
1t may rot hope tina. some day we may "
fomsh'nk mortG
Ard Bsrbsrs blasbed deep red and said
,erhsps." .