Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1905-01-09

500 YOU" Mrs. Buckley said as she |
came 10 the door wiping her fat hands |
ON her apron why, all the settle |
mont il seems to me, has gone in town |
IN see the governor, but somehow l |
didn't care to 20. I'm too old to ride |
ton miles in a joltin wagon to see jest |
q man. How do you come OnT'
Il feel all right" George replied II
didn't care to hear the speech"
You say you didn'tT" Mrs. Buck
Iov's heavy brows ran together. She
| stood for a moment eying her son with
svmpathetic fixity. She had heard the
rInor of the governors attentions to
| lydia Cranston. They were now in
| the sitting room, and he stood warm
1 ing himself before the fire.
/ ooh. George" she suddenly got out,
/ 81 wish you'd let me talk to you an
| not git mad.
/ Mad? Why. mother" he exclaimed,
chow could l get mad at your
/ The old woman sat down in her low
I chair in the chimney corner. You are
my boy" she said, tremOr in her gen
tie voice. IAN some things hurt-cut
me to the quick. Oh, George, | wish
YOU would sort o. be content with COM
mon folks like we all are. You are as
good. every bit an grain, as that Vir-
elnia gal but somehow she's situated
different. Now, fer instance, they say
she's got a chance, an a good one, to
marry the governor"
Il think she has, George said cold
ly, his lips tightening, but what of
that, mother?"
"Oh, it nearly kills me to have folks
think you-you want to get some'n' an
! cayn't," replied the old woman plain
lively. An, George, as things go in
this world, Lydia Cranston will have
to take that offer She cayn't git
around it, Gals kin have Their choice,
an'-mind you, don't know a thing
she may, down in her heart, like you
the best on account O you bein' youn-
ger an better lookin', but folks in her
walk O. life, l reckon. have to sorter
look to the future. Her folks will
make her, eff she draws back. George,
II hope you don't feel bad about it,
Mother I'm all right" He sat down
before the fire He looked out through
the small PANIED window upon wide
stretch Of cotton land where he had
tOiled through his bOyhOod. To the
left, inside the garden fence, was the
log smokehouse, the barn and stables;
to the right. the yard where the chick
ems and ducks We're scratching the
earth for food The old woman said
nothing-there was nothing she could
say, for his reply had not treasured
her
why do you think anything is wrong
with me-" he suddenly asked. Has
anybody
You caynt keep folks mouths shet,"
Mrs Buckley said. you've got more
friends AN any boy in all this noun
tain country, but even a body's best
friends will git jealous when he begins
to rise in the world. Most of 'em
thought you was flynn too high, George
all along-in visitin' the best in OAR
ley-an' they are tickled to be able to
circulate the report that she's gOin' to
marry the governor of the state. You
see, they kin say that an not seem to
be talkin' agin you, but they are
chucklin all the same"
Il can't help their talking nor their
thinking" Buckley said, with sigh.
But l believe I'd put a bold face
on it an laugh at the idea O. marryin'
anybody right now. Then I'd sOrte1
slack off from goin' to the Cranstons
George | kin stand anything better, il
seems to me, than havin' 'em all think
you are miserable over it, an when the
wedding takes place.
Then you count on it as a certainty
do you!" His face clOuded over, and
in spite of his self control, his voice
rang harshly.
She stared at him pityingly. "Thar's
no use talkin' about it." she said soft
ly. George, you hain't ready to ad
nit it. an that's the wust sign of all
You Jest cayn't see it like other folks
an thars Jest one reason fer that
YOU cayn't stand to think it possible.
He voiced no denial. What was thu
USE The old woman, crude as sh'
was. had known him from the first pull
sation of the life that was now raging
~ like a mad torrent within him. In hi
~ minds eye he had a glimpse of the vii
~. lage church, packed to the doors witt
. an eager. expectant crowd. He say
- the flowers on the altar There was
= profound hush. The Cranston carriag
- had driven up. The governor of tn
state was assisting two ladies to allgh1
- All eyes were on the party of four a
they came in and moved unconcernedl
81 to the Cranston pew. Lydia and tn
u guest Of honor were walking together
u She was being admired, envieC
le,, George Buckley bowed his head; tn
hu red light from the fire touched hi
i! powerful neck and shoulders; he wa
sinking into the deepest OOze of de
eu spair.
'u Mind You. I'm not sayin' one wor
:. agin the GAL Mrs. Buckley broke int
: his reflections abruptly. I'm fact,
y tra 'pr 4oII T1nah