Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-05-04

string Of one Of the parcels.
The knot was a little hard and as
no one spoke, the embarrassing silence
was becoming intolerable Finally
David looked up
you sent back the few little pres
ents | 'ad give you" he said, gazing
directly in front OF him and addressing
the opposite wall straight in the eye,
"an' so, of course. I'm bringin back
those what you gave me-"
: You could ha' sent EN- bac',. /"
snapped Sophie. There wasn't no
need for to bring EN- yourself"
Well, you see" said David, address
ing the wall. "a man amt some ow so
careful as what a woman is. Least
ways, s'pose that's what it is. Now,
the things you sent back 10 me. they
was all spick and span, just like new.
and"
DO for Faith Duker. p'raps." com
mented Sophie rather bitterly.
David affected not 10 be conscious Of
the interruption.
There ere slippers. for instance"
he said, which you worked for me.
admit 'ad EN- long before my little fox
terrier got at one of EN-, and before /
could get it away from i'm. he'd eaten
one OF the pink roses and a couple OF
the forget-me-nots"
Mrs. Meadows was surprised into RI
diculous guffaw. Then. conscious ap-
parently Of the Improperly Of her CON
duct, she eyaded her daughters eve
and became absorbed in contemplation
Of the ceiling
David could hardly help echoing this
little outburst of announcement with
grin Of his own; and Sophie set her |
teeth together and felt that She was
lighting the whole world single-handed |
and alone.
Then" continued David, there's /
these ere braces"
Sophie turned her head away Sharp
ly. II was doubtful whether. in her
altered relationship with Mr.. Trotter.
braces were things that could be dis
cussed with propriety
The articles in question were lurid-
ly embroidered in red and blue upon
green background, and in anything
like sustained silence they might have
been relied upon to speak for them
selves.
1t was evident however, from their
present condition that they had been
more decorative than useful: and
Dayid's attempt 10 strengthen the
weaker parts by the addition OF
piece Of stout string had done nothing
TO enhance their artistic beauties
David, remarking Sophie's attitude
out of the corner of his eye, placed the
poor, mangled remains Of the braces
reyerently on the table and gazed at
them with a sigh. as il he regarded
them as still beautiful, even in death
Then he produced a pair of wooden
socks from his parcel
These ere" he said, 20 course
they've bin in wear a good deal and" ,
u didn't give 'em TO you for to keep :
under glass case" protested Sophie, :
her bitter feelings softened a little by /.
The fact that he had been glad to make y
use of her present
NO; quite So" said David, turning
md addressing her for the first time. !.
Only. you see, when you've got to :
give things back again" !
Il don't want them back" said !,
sophie.
Well, there don't seem to be no !
hoice about 1t, as far as can see," :,
eplied David And as I couldn't give !,
I'm back with 'oles in EN-, and :
idnt like to let no one else touch 'em :
ow, I tried to mend 'em up a bit my .
Elf You'll see" :
Mrs. Meadows guffawed again. And "
nding her mirth not SO easy 10 check =
n this occasion, she fed precipitately q
ito the shop, and left the young peo- ="
le alone u,
Sophie frowned at the interruption. -
ut the next moment she found her :,
If half smiling at David's dilemma :,
his big. rough fellows confession OF =
Is helplessness was not displeasing to =
er. It showed her at least that there =
ere times when she would be missed. y !,
Id the reflection softened her a httie. ..
SHOW me, " she said, holding CUT her =
and M
David passed the socks along. and "
dictated with his finger the spot
here his handiwork was to be seen. "
huge. lumpy botch Of red wool that
I'd been laboriously grated onto
'ay background, it did not need to be :,
United out u
It caught the eye at once. and ahso- -
tely riveted the attention. Sophie ! -
It the corners Of her mouth break Is
g down. and. finally, unable 10. resist
lie righteousness of the absurd iucon-
'uity, she burst into a peal OF de- 81
siys laughter ga
Il never was much Of a and with q en-
,edle," David explained. smflfngly. IN
hen, as If realizing that Sophie's 20
irth was a distinct sign OF encourage w,
ent. he leaned across the table. and wt
id in a tone of gentle protest: .See ar
hat a mess l should make o. things n,