The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1913-06-26

Then familiar smell assailed her nos
triIs. and she thought she heard the
sound Of voices-boys voices raised In
gleeful chorus.
Somebody some boys were celebrat-
ing the Fourth OF July In Taylor's val
ley She was too much surprised even
TO turn around and discover the In
truders She sat very stifiiy. with her
back 10 the sun flooded meadow. trying
to stem her rising Indignation at the
unhappy Fate that seemed TO pursue
her desire for quietude.
Here's u good place, Billy-right
on this rock. Now touch her OF. I'm.
Gle Lee. Hurray!" shrilled the famil.
lar voice of little Jack Scott
with thrill OF terror Phoebe arose
to her feet and appeared around the
corner OF the big tree trunk. On the
rock at her feet sputtered'a big cannon
cracker and backing away from its
dangerous proximity was Leander
Scott himself
He took In the situation at glance
I Phoebe's book. her white face and the
brown linen dress. 50 like the trunk OF
the elm tree that her presence had
been quite unsupported.
Instantly he leaped back to the rock
and grasped the sputterlng explosive
| In his hand Under the impetus OF his
strong arm II went kissing through the
air. and before 1t reached the brook
toward which he aimed 1t II burst
with a defamation that again shook the
hills and drove the sleepy birds from
covert to thicker shelter. III
Phoebe Dalrymple sat down on the
rock and cried from sheer relief. Lee
ander Scott looked at her with grow
ing discomfort In his mind. II seemed
TO be his lot to pursue this gentle little
lady with an avalanche Of noise Who
would have suspected that she had
sought retreat here OF all places. He
had chosen II out OF dozen isolated
spots because the Taylors were deaf
and he had Uncle Morgan's Warmest
consent to make all the noise be want
ed to.
The sight of the little boys fussing
over the box Of fireworks decided him.
With plying glance ut Miss Phoebe's
dropping form he dashed toward the
boys. 1t was the work OF a moment
to gather the bombs and cannon crack
ers. the box Of powder and the toy
cannon into a. heap and the labor OF
another instant to drop them all into
the soaking water OF the deep little
brook and thus destroy their noise
making properties forever.
The Mortified yelIs Of the small neph-
ews aroused Miss Dalrymple from her
apathy. They cried noisily above the
box now containing little else save
firecrackers and torpedoes: they re-
preached their uncle for heartless per
fidy and would not give heed to bis
promises OF gorgeous fireworks for an
evening display that should be appro-
priately patriotic, but quite noiseless.
At last poor Leander Scott left them
md approached Miss Phoebe with
humble apologies on bis lips. When
he reached her side Phoebe had dried
her tears and smoothed her crinkled
brown hnir into semblance Of order.
II don't know what to say to you,
Miss DalrympIe, sanf-i.eander Scott
helplessly. "You see. ] realized that
the boys made the day hldeous for
you last year. and when their mother
sent them down without warning yes
terday. accompanied by huge box Of
fireworks, was In a qunlday. !
thought OF dozen places where l
might take them so they might be AZ
noisy as they wished and this morning |
picked out Mr., TayIor's farm ! knew
the old people were both deaf and 1t
was too far from neighbors to annoy
anybody.
I'VE arrived a half hour ago and
easily obtained Mr. Taylor's consent to
come to the south meadow and make
all the noise we wanted He mention.
ed that his niece was around some
where, but said she would not mind
the racket 10 here we are am sorry |
to have frightened you. and we will
take ourselves away as fast as posi-
Bile hope you feel no effects from
yonr fright"
Phoebe listened TO the long speech
with downcast eyes. The low howls
Of the disappointed boys fell upon her
ears with accusing clamor At last
she looked Mp. and smile trembIed
about her hips
Il am afraid must apologize for
being such a bogyman The little
boys must think me dreadful spoil.
sport. but those bombs are horrible.
| am sorry you drowned the fireworks.
because couid have gone away again.
I suppose II Is too late now 10 buy any
morer' she asked. with On anxiety
that would have astounded Hannah
Brown had that good woman been a
listener
mo more in Little River. hope.
Miss Dalrymple. I've got big boz OF
display fireworks for tonight that they
can enjoy In the inca ntime they can
Ft4fUIdtF WIN utt'fhNh'thf
Mr. Scott boosted himself on 10 the
rock beside Phoebe. apd thercupon en-
sued conversation ressFding the book
she had been reading and many other
books both OF them had read and want
ed 10 read some day
The small boys stopped their weep
Ing and fired their crackers with nat
Ting yolleys and snapped harmless tor
pedoes on The stones With coDtemptu-
Gus prodIgalify When the Tor was
empty they approached the rock on
which sat their uncle and the sweet
faced lndy who was the author Of their
woes.
Hungry a~ ycuy repeated Mr.