Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1907-04-12
! 80

Is enjoying himself. But now he
came every night and seemed less
talkativp and more glum each time;
also his calls grew shorter. and he
went home rs early as half past :.
The sisters did not know what II
make of II. II was pleasant and en-
cauraging To have Linn come So often.
hut WHY didn't he stay longer: Miss
Tempy thought he must lie worrying
over the big contract.
She asked Clara for her opinion. hut
Miss Hopkins seemed very Indifferent.
She used to come into the sitting room
MS soon as the work was done 10 listen
10 Captain Titcomb's stories. hut of
ate she had gone straight To her own
Dom. The old maids did not urge her
o remain. They liked to have the cap
tain Ia themselves.
On the afternoon of the previous
Sunday Miss Tempy had taken sud
den notion To go over Ia the Methodist
chapel and attend the sabbath school
concert The chapel was on the road
TO Orham Port. Il mile or more from
the Allen home. Miss Prissy was not
strong enough to 20 and. In fact,
thought the walk too long for her del
icate sister. but Miss Tempy, having
made UP her mind. went. She would
have been glad of Clara's company,
but the young lady had already gone
ont.
Miss Tcmpy had just reached the
corner when She was surprised TO see
Captain Titcomb driving toward her
in II buggy. She recognized the horse
and carriage as being the best owned
by Lem Mullett, the livery stable keep
err: also she noticed that the captain
/ looked particularly well dressed
spruced up, she told Miss Prissy after
ward.
"Capn!" she called. "Cap'n Ezra
The captain was then almost direct
ly opposite. but he did not seem to
hear or see her. Instead he whipped
up the horse and drove hy faster than
ever
Dear me-" thought Miss Tempy.
"IIe must be gittin' absentmnded
Workin too hard, guess. Cap'n
Ezra"
1t is doubtful if the captain would
have heard even then, but Jonadah
WiXon was coming down the road.
and he also began to shout Hailed
thus, fore and aft, the ahsentminded
one was obliged to hcaNe to, and when
Captain Jonadab pointed ont Miss
Tempy he turned his horse and drove
back to whore she was standing.
| well do declare.' exclaimed the
lady, Smilingly conscious of becom-
ing new bOnnet--oue of the reasons
for her desire to attend the concert
I'm all ont Of breath calm after you.
| don't know what folks will think
The captain didn't appear TO care
very much what folks might think. lie
was polite rs usual. but seemed to be
a tribe nervous and kept CHANGING up
and down the road. Miss Tempy, I'M
conscious of the nervousness, went
gushingly on.
What lovely horse" she cried. II
declare. it must he pleasure to ride
behind him. | do so like to ride with Il
nice, gentle horse like that. Father
used to take Prissy and me drivin
with our Dexter when he was alive
father was alive, | mean-yes, and the
horse too, of course. | hope | haven
kept you Was you goin' to see Brad
ley"
NO no." was the hasty answer. g.
was iesl-jest drivn' down the roat
a ways" Then, perhaps noticing tina
his friend was headed toward the vii
lage. he added: Il had a little erran,
down toward the Port You're goin
uptown, see, else I'd ask you t
jump in
why, how lovely" exclaimed Mis-
Tempy. II was goin to the Port, to-
down TO the Methodist folks concert
| only came this way cause | though
I'd stop at Mrs. Wingate's and see i
she wouldn't go with me. PrisSy wa
afraid the walk there and back woul
be too long for me, and truth to tell,
was a little afraid of it myself.
didn't expect to ride, and with 70,
Cap'n Ezra, It'll be such a treat. be
cause | shall feel perfectly safe wit
you drivin'."
The captain did not answer immed
, ately. lie was busy with the buckl
that fastened the reins together. Blu
the silence was only momentary
Good enough he cried. IN hay
! you there in jffy."
He sprang out. assisted the lady Int
| the buggy and then turned the horse
| head into the road leading up the hil
r why you're goin' the wrong way
Miss Tempy exclaimed. You're goil
the wrong way, Cap'n Ezra
oh replied the captain cheerful,
that's all right. | thought we'd 9
round by the Neck road. It's pretti,
that way"
But Miss Tempy would not consen
She told Miss Prissy afterward, 81 fe
as though I'd the same as begged hi
for a ride as it was, and | swan if
was goin' to let him go miles out
his way jest for me-"
NO" she protested. mo, cap'n,
won't hear of it. Wen go the shorte
road or | shall git right out
She stood up as she said it. The ca
tain looked at her determined face.
why, Tempy'- he began.
NO, | shan't like it bit, Capn L
comb. if you don't turn right roul
and go the way you was gon'."
The captain jerked at the rein wi
almost unnecessary vigor. The tn
was made in Il hurry. They wheel
Ill. tn Ia