Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-05-31
PRICE OF A SMILE

was not as cordial as it might have been.
The fact was, something had happened
the last few days, and she didn't know
how Joe would take it; he was apt to be
jealous sometimes on slight provocation,
and unreasonable, withal; and he might
insist upon her giving 1t up, and that
would place her in a very unpleasant pre-
dicament. for she did not want to offend
or have a quarrel with Joe, neither at the
same time did she want to disappoint him
by refusing that little friendly salutation
which he seemed to look so eagerly for,
or avoid him by taking the longer way to
school. 1t was such a little thing to do
and couldn't do her the slightest harm,
and yet it seemed so much to him-wel,
she would have to take the chances OF
Joes being vexed, and of being able to
talk him into common sense. Perhaps
he might not be there this morning,
in which case nothing need be said; and
probably Joe would not have an oppor-
tunity to accompany her again for long
time
We'll, you seem to be doing a powerful
lot of thinking about something" re-
marked Joe, watching her preoccupied
expression, Don't you want me to go?'
why, of course j do; whatever put
such an idea into your head?" responded
Annie, but she blushed and looked away
"Oh, you don't seem to be overpowered
with joy at the prospect" said Joe,
you had better run and get on your
bonnet. | want to go around by Clark's
road and show you little house that l
have my eye on; not because l expect TO
be able to get that, but just to give you
an idea of the kind of place l would
like to have for a home, and see II 1t
takes your fancy as it has mine. 1t was
in the market a short time ago, but II
may have been sold ere now. I'd be
tempted to make a bid for 1t If the price
was not TOO high
Clark's road There was no help for II
now. Annie had actually been debating
whether or not she had better propose to
Joe to go by the longer road and so avoid
any unnecessary Contretemps; but TINS
suggestion on his part put IL out OF
the question. There was nothing for
IL but to let matters take their course
and trust to its coming out all right. SO
she put on her hat and cape and left the
house with her lover on her way to the
| little village school, OF which she had re-
Gently been put in charge.
Out in the open air, however, her
spirits seemed to revive, and she chatted
| gaily until Joe remarked:
Now just beyond this bend in the wood
| is the house l have in mind. We will
! walk past slowly so that you can get
| good idea of it. 1t stands little back
| from the road, but 1t is all the better for
| that"
Annie looked up, and her heart gave a
| little, apprehensive thrill. Just past the
| turn OF the road was where she would be
sure to find him stting-at least he had
| been there every morning for "A week.
| Well. II he was there she would not dis
appoint him OF his morning smile and
greeting, no matter how Joe might be
pleased to construe it.
There 1t is" exclaimed Joe a moment
later Hello. 1t has a tenant though.
The windows are open and ! see smoke
coming from the chimney. Perhaps 1t
is only rented. though, and may still be
in the market. There's an old fellow
sitting by the gate; I suppose he lives
there; or. perhaps. he is only the care
| taker. He is looking this way. though,
| as II he was expecting somebody
Once more Annie's cheeks glowed, but
there was no backing out now. In an
other moment they were opposite the
gate, beside which, on broad, fiat stone
a man Of about 65 years Of age was
sitNng As Annie passed him he raised
his hat with a look Of eager expectation
there was no installing She hesitated
lust a moment. then, with bright smile
and friendly nod of her head, she said
Good morning." although Joe looked al
her in veXed surprise, and, taking he'
arm. hurried her on at very much
quickened pace
who's that old duffer that hasn't any
thing better to do but sit at the gate anc
firt with women passing by?' he deman
ded with some heat. You seem tC
know him uncommonly well, from the
way you nodded and smiled. If he haC
not been so old I'd have let him know
what | thought Of such impudence.'
Now Joe. don't be foolish" remon
strated Annie. who, once the RubicoI
was passed, felt her courage rising. HI
Is simply a poor lonely old man, with M
Thought of flirting / don't even know
/ &c IN "a TT1
in friendly nod and smile once DAY
You don't know how much good it ma
do him"
once a day" echoed Joe, quite iguor
, ing the other part of the speech. Il
has come to that, has It? and he canno
, have been there more than fortnight
for the house was empty when las
passed this way. I'm not concerned a
e to what good II may do him; my mai
I thought is what harm it may do yot
I. He appears to make 1t special poin
e to be at the gate when you pass by. fo
Y | the sake of having you smile ana Dl
e him good morning
. TT certainly looks that way" sal
= Annie. with a mischievous enjoyment {
i her lovers jealousy He seems to NV
d entirely alone, and do believe tha
smile and friendly greeting Is the on
thing that he looks forward TO from da
to day"
d Hell have to find something else
It look forward to, for / won't have yo
- smiling at him any more said Jo
t, savagely. working himself up into quit
Y a heat you understand, don't you?''
r ct understand that you're acting ver
l foolshly." said Annie. with a quiet resC
70 luton she could exhibit when necessar
5, IF you have so poor an opinion of me {
/. to imagine I cannot smile and bid
i lonely old man good morning once da
e without either losing my heart or sci
q respect, we'd better end our relations
re once"
Is Now, see here, Annie" said 10
& aghast at such a preciptate proceedin
1t but unwilling to show it, I've got
i leave you, as you know, for two week
S TO do that job of work in Plainville; :
is give you that time to think it over; al
N then wen have to have serious Ia
J. about this matter; for l don't mean
m run the risk of having my happne
p spoiled by that old simpleton Com
rs now, we must walk fast or you'll be la
IN for school," He hurried her on, to'
rather a surly leave of her, and d
parted.
A week passed. during which tin
Annie saw and greeted her aged admir-
IN each day; then she missed him from !
ar accustomed place and two days later s
Sc heard that he had died suddenly on t
I'm last day she saw him. On the streng