Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-06-04

up u9 lhe middle or september. / Just
ran In TO ask If your paint and white
wash brushes were in good order
Peter said as how you mentioned hav-
ing a supply of 'em when you offered
To Keep house for him months ago.
My. how red your face Is. Emelinel
You hadn't ought to wear pink. Now,
If do say it. I've complexion that'I
stand any color"
IL didn't exactly Offer stammered
Mrs. Platt tears of modification smart
ing her eyes.
"Oh, well, it Is all past and done
with" interrupted Serena airily. "I
just had TO give in. He wouldn't take
a mo- Well, if you'll lend the brushes
I'll be goin'"
Armed with the brushes, Serena de-
parted, every movement Of the organ
die proclaiming victory.
In the days that followed Mrs. Platt
gave much time to sitting on the front
porch watching her friends progress
In the housecleaning line Serena called
seldom now. and the time passed slow
ly.
II just ran in TO ask your opinion
OF these samples" began Serena one
day in September Were going to
have new carpets for the double par
lors. Don't you prefer the green?"
Serena wore her best dress Il shall
need Il new one soon." she said com
placently. smoothing down its silken
folds.
Il suppose the affair II come off
soon," ventured Mrs Platt after the
merits of greens and reds In carpets
had been duly canvassed. but Serena
only smiled consciously as she gath
cred up the samples and departed.
81 suppose N'll come off after har-
vest" muSed Mrs. Platt despondently
meaning Peters wedding.
| One afternoon as Mrs. Platt was set
ting her table for tea she was sur
| prised by a call from Peter Judd.
Coming to invite me to the wed
| ding" she surmised as he sauntered
up the path. well. If it's foreor-
| dained he should marry Serena I'll not
be spitefu about It, Sit down and
have cup of tea, Peter" she urged
cutting great, fat, shaking. foul
storied jelly cake into generous slices.
Peter Judd. a large man with {
pleasant, forid face. seated himself
and absorbed tea and cake with much
satisfaction.
"You always were master hand a
cake. EmeIine.' he commented affably
81 never saw your beat, It's some
thing in that line that called to SET
you about"
Was it possible that he was going t.
ask her to initiate Serena in the diff
cult art? Mrs. Platt's face clouded
"Well?" she asked in strained voice
81 want that you should do littl
baking for me- Could you"
"po some baking for you" sh'
gasped. For the lands sakes! Whenf
Peter reached for another piece o
cake. "For the next Tuesday and tn
balance of the week. You'll kno'
what's needed"
The wedding was to take place tues
day, then Emeline's world was ten
porary blank Serena wouldn't hk
it." she faltered.
"What If she don't" exploded MI
Judd, "She can't cook. And | wan
something decent in the house whe
| get back from Minooka'
"Rack from Minooka" Emelin
asked in dazed fashion. Are yo
going away"
"Why. of course! Going to Minook
r to get married. Don't you know tina
Floretta lives there"
t "Floretta! Are you-is She
A "Ier mans dead, If that's Wha
e you're trying to get at. Drank hlmse
to death, reckon. l thought W
e knew all along
q Mrs. Platt poured more tea WIN
y shaking hand A sudden burst OF SUI
o shine illuminated her world boe
:. Mis- Lamb know
: mot She" returned Peter, beglhhlil
0 another attack on the cake. ram
e none of her business, anyway. y
d her TO clean up before Floretta come
d That's all wanted of her. VIII yo
J. do them things, Emelne-the cak'
It and such?"
). YES yes!" cried Mrs. Platt. Ill
# voice was joyful, her face aglo". a
q the gloom of the past few weeks va
=. ished as if by magic. 'Tll do more
that. Peter. I'm so tickled TO NAY
q Floretta for neighbor again that !
:, invite n lot of her old friends here II
y Tuesday. And I'll have the pest III
4 ner spread out that you ever sat 40"
n to-"