The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-09-09

"Why, my dear" she had exclaimed
once to Antona in burst of enthusi.
asm, "he knows all the poets by heart.
He sees only the best plays, even
though 1t may be from gallery seats.
He knows all the finest pictures up in
the Metropolitan. He has what they
call an artistic taste too My lands,
you should hear him notice the sunset
at the end of narrow city street or a
tiny flower out in the park or
Eyes, | know" said Antona impul-
sively, for once coming out of her re-
serve. Hes pure gold-thats what he
isr'
Huh! 'GoldT" Mrs. Brown had re.
torted disdainfully. "None o. your
pretty, soft yellow stuff for him. He's
good, solid, practical steel, If any one
asked me. Don't you forget it, Miss
Wheaton. And if you could be fortu-
nate enough to tie up to him
Mrs. Brown had broken off abruptly
at a flash from Miss Wheaton's eye.
One dared not presume too far with
Miss Wheaton. in spite of the silky,
flaxen hair and the childish dimples,
as many of the young men in the de-
partment store had found out.
IF only they could be little more
like Mr.. Loganr' Antona had moro
than once found herself commenting as
she pinned up her colored bolts. "IIe
Is the soul of honor, and II don't
know what I'd do without him.!
HAD a stroke of luck today, little
girl" Logan waylaid Antona as she
was going upstairs after the scanty
saucer of raspberries, made purple
with milk, had been eaten. 81 want
you TO come out tonight and help me
cclebrate-if you'll do me the honor"
A little later, from the basement din
ing room window, Mrs. Brown, who
was arranging her cloth for the next
mornings breakfast watched them go
up the street together. Antona, in her
simple white muslin, wore a nodding
spray of pink roses at her waist. As
they walked toward the west the
young fellows eyes were fastened
adoringly upon her.
"Guess they'll hit it off all right
commented Mrs. Brown as she went
on refilling the porcelain saltcellars.
"I'll tell you what We'll do" said
Francis as they walked toward the
cars "Well go out to Riverside drive
and sit there for awhile till the night
gets cooler; then we'll go to some big
uptown restaurant and order some ice
cold chicken salad"
"Oh,'' broke in Antona in economic
defense, I'D just as lief go to a drug
store and have some nice soda"
"Now, don't you bother about the
expense, little one" said Francis gay
ly GAS | said, I've had a rare stroke
of luck today, and when we get out or
one of those cool benches on the drive
I'm going to tell you about it." Also
he determined resolutely to himself he
would tell her something else. She
needed to be petted and taken care of.
The car ride to the river was long
! The sun glow had faded entirely out OF
the west and the gray veil that spread
between the night and day was already
beginning to be pricked by the city'S
innumerable lights when finally they
reached the drive and leaned over the
stone wall that edged it. The Palisades
| on the opposite shore cast huge black
! shadows upon the water. Near by 9
! yacht or two were at anchor. Silently
mysteriously, their lights came up, on,
by one. Over on the Jersey shore bis
! building which by day showed itself t,
be an unsightly factory now took OF
the majesty Of a medieval castle.
''See the turrets and spires" sale
Francis, calling Antona's attention t.
it. do you know the story of the
Lady of Shalott" he added. ''She LIVED
in grand castle-well pretend that
it," he nodded toward the factory
"and from the highest window sh
watched her lover, Sir LauncelOt, go
ing by, and she drlfted down the rive
to find him. Wen pretend this is tn,
river, and-dear little Lady of Shalott
| will you let me be your Sir LauncelOt
love you and want you to marry MI
and let me take care Of you. Surely
little one, you are so fragile and swee
| you need to be taken care of. VIII
you?"
The girls eyes as he spoke were dis