St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-02-08

appear to be as vagrant as the gypsy
herself.
The prophecy of the united houses
was good fortune enough for one day,
and, emboldened by this certainty that
his dearest hopes would be fulfilled.
Benjamin rushed hastily toward the
building where Dorinda Weed might
be found. She who was to be his
future wife had stroked the nose or
his prize Holsteins. After these won
derful happenings 1t would be an easy
matter to invite Dorinda to partake OF
Ice cream and cake When one was
eating ice cream 1t was not necessary
to talk much, and after the ice cream
he might invite her to other amuse-
ments In the grounds. There were a
loop-the-loop and a merry-go-round
and
Benjamin DibbIe stood stock still.
while all exuberance of spirit dissolved
like mist.
In the distance he saw Dorinda.
charming in her pale blue gown, but
remote as ever from his approach, for
she was talking earnestly to tall,
dark man, dangerously handsome
stranger, and together they were bend
ing over some object on table be-
tween them.
Then 1t was that Benjamin Dibble
remembered the gypsy's prophecy
that dark man would come between
Dorinda and him. And here was the
dark man. The prophecy was fulfill
ing without delay.
Benjamin turned away and tried to
satisfy the pangs of disappointed love
with hot frankfurters, steamed clans
and coffee. He drank ginger ale and
pink lemonade to wash down huge
segments of pie and sugary doughnuts.
He spent money lavishly, buying
everything that was offered. He pur-
chased chances on all sorts of I'M
himself the embarrassed possessor of
pair of curling irons, a lady's work
basket and wax doll.
He bundled these treasures away in
the back of his buggy with a certain
elusive hope that they might prove
useful some day. He stopped in the
shed and stroked the noses of his cat
tie, as Dorinda had done, and derived
a certain foolish satisfaction in the
action. It was at that moment Benja-
min received inspiration.
Back in the main building, Benjamin
once more threaded the crowd in
search of Dorinda
Although she was still talking to the
dark man, Benjamin pressed forward
until he stood almost at her elbow.
She saw him and smiled TREMENDOUSLY,
her delicate face flushing a soft rose
tint.
''Wil1 you give me your advice, Ben
jamin" she asked gently. ''This gen.
tleman is selling weather vanes.
want one for the barn Our old one
was blown off. you know. Shall I
choose fish or an arrow?'
The delicious sense of intimacy con-
veyed by this question cannot be de-
scribed. Benjamin Dibble threw off
his old mantle Of tinidity forever and
stepped boldly forward beside DORM
da
Seems to me nothing looks so much |
like weather vane as a Growing cock,
Dorinda Have you got anything
else?" asked Benjamin of the dark |
man.
From the box of samples the man
brought forth several weathercocks
of different sizes. Each one was
painted a dazzling gold, with crimson
comb and wattles. He held forth the |
largest one, whirling it about the |
pivot as he did so.
'This is the handsomest one I've got,
sir. I'd like to take your order for
that-$10 on delivery in ten days. |
You'd like to wake up in the morning
and see that weathercock on the Gu
Dola of your barn-eh?'' He smiled in
Benjamin Dibble was staring intent
y at the gilded cock, queer express
sion dawning in his eyes. A certain
inc was running through his head:
A golden bird without nest
Shall lead the weary heart to rest.
"Dorinda," said Benjamin in a ring
ng voice, "do you like that weather
cock?''
,iously.
"We'n take. one of those" ordered
Benjamin Dibble authoritatively. ''You
ian make out the bill to Mr. and Mrs
Benjamin Dibble-Dorinda that's ali
light; you know, we're going to move
he two houses up on the hill and
make one. and we're going to build a
lew barn with cupola and put this
golden bird on it,
tWhy-why, Benjamin-Pve thought
ometimes that was lovely plan-only
low do you know it will happen?"
0orinda's eyes were very bright with
sudden happiness.
Il had my fortune told, and the
gypsy said all those things. When
axe you home in my buggy tonight
II tell you about the golden bird and
low all this has come true, just as the
woman said," explained Benjamin,
alking faster and more eloquently :
han he had ever done in his life.
cts all perfectly wonderful" MUIR
nured Dorinda on that homeWard ride