Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-09
ACase of Tit
For Tat
How Dan Cupid Strengthened
Out the TangIe.
BY CLARA II. HOLMES.

Ine SCatlon, pu1nng DreathleSSly from
dts long race, and Ben Hildreth drop
ped off the rear car and looked about
'expectantly
"HildaT he calculated joyfully,
STOPPING to kiss the slender young lady
who approached him with extended
hand.
Her naughty withdrawal and very
indignant look surprised him, and her
critical glance made him painfully
aware of his forty three years and his
dusty and very ordinary dress.
But when Ben clasped hands with
Hilda's mother he forgot the bitter
tang Of disappointment. She was I'M
changed. Her face wore the same con-
tented look, and the welcome he re-
ceived might have been leaf torn
from the book Of past happenings.
Even the hot biscuit at supper time
had the well remembered relish Of for
mer days. And the thoughtful manner
of saying, "Now go and take your
smoke, Ben. l know you are wanting
1t badly" seemed like the picking up
of the raveled threads from the tan
gled sllein Of time.
Somewhat of Hilda's aloofness wore
off after the fist few days-whenever
she could forget the humiliation of be-
ing kissed in public.
THE very ideal Any one would
know he was from the westr' she con-
cluded wrathfully when telling it to
her mother.
Mrs. Stevens laughed heartily care
people so different in the west? l had
supposed that they were merely ener-
:getic persons who needed elbow ROOM"
"Oh, you can laugh, but just look at
his clothesr'
Yes; clothing does make difference
in the flavor of a kiss"
Whether it does or not, am not 60
ing out there to live with a man old
enough to be my father" was the an
CRY reply.
Tell him so, not me. You knew
where he lived and his age, didn't you,
when you gave him your promise?"
AS the days went by Hilda's dislike
seemed to increase. She would fire.
'quently go out and let her mother en-
terrain Ben for a whole afternoon
without the courtesy of an apology.
Ben did not appear to be annoyed in
the least. Instead he chatted merrily
with Mrs. Stevens and easily fell into
the old time habit Of calling her Lot
tie. Occasionally he would regard
Hilda SO teasingly that she would grow
FESTIVE under his gaze and fly out Of
the room, storming to her mother: 81
hate him! hate himv
The wedding day drew near. Ben
had been out of town one afternoon,
and being delayed by business, 1t was
late when he returned
do you know where Hilda ISL" he
questioned of her mother.
"Why, yes" she replied. "She said
that she was going over to her cousin
Nettie's.''
ooh, she did, did she?" answered
Ben so quizzically that Mrs Stevens
said nervously, "What is wrongT
There's nothing wrong" he replied
with light laugh and settled himself
fer smoke. His laugh was too light
to be reassuring Mrs. Stevens drum
med on the table restlessly.
"It's all right, Lottie," he assured
her, laying his hand over her fingers
to still their restless movement. After
a moment he remarked: How home,
like you make every place, Lottie! I
have been thinking of the hills all day,
and-it makes me homesick. l wish
you and 1 were there"
at would be nice I'd like to see the
mountains. When you and Hilda have
been married year or so, I'll visit
you, perhaps"
He regarded her with wrinkled eyes
for minute. Then he asked with
seeming irreevance, do you know
Charlie Dupont?"
"Why, yes. Why do you ask that?"
Just curiosity, 1 suppose" with an
other laugh.
Ben, what is the trouble between
you and Hilda?" in a tone of exaspera-
ton. "She isn't happy, and you are
tormenting. | do not believe she will
be at all happy out there. She hates
the west" Mrs. Stevens demonstrated.
Shed hate any place with me. I'm
the difficult problem, Lottie," replied
Ben calmly.
you two are laying up an abun-
dance Of unhappiness for yourselves"
was the grave reply.
Don't you fret over us little chill
dren, Lottie," said he. "Sit down here
and let me talk to you" he said, point
Ing to a chair beside his own.
For fully an hour they conversed in
low tones, he persuading, she half re-
monstrating, occasionally both laugh
ing, until at last she said in a tone Of
yielding. 81 suppose it is all right but
1t does look ridiculous for'-
"Sh-sh! Here comes Hilda," eau
toned he.
Her mother was sewing busily and
Ben was smoking very contentedly
when she entered. AS neither made q
remark Of any kind, she seemed to feei
the urgent need Of an explanation OF
something vithin her own mind and
commenced In the most voluble man
neC did you think was going to
staS all night, mother? We had such
a lot Of things to talk about, Nettie
and u
"WhoT interrupted Ben. The tone
was so derisive that Hilda cried out
angrily:
Perhaps you do not believe me!
You are ALWAYS laughing at me and