Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-01-05

They shook hands.
''Aint this a pleasant evening""
1T is that" agreed Mr. Sarpy.
Miss Pope smoothed her white dress
until it chung to her like an ephod of
grace and crossed her feet daintily.
Her companion let his hands hang over
his knees and busted himself yanking
his neck about his small tall collar
81 didn't see you when 1 left the
store, Mr. Sarpy."
Indeed, was in the vicinity Of the
shirts all day"
by the way, you amt never met
nav, have you?"
BEG pardon?'
have you?"
'No, no, I never had the pleasure
Mr.. Sarpys neck darted uneasily again.
''Well, what-a you know about that,
and l been talkin' about you ever since
l got the book shift! I'll call her this
minute
Mr. Sarpy half raised himself from
the divan.
please don't let me disturb he
began, but Miss Pope had pirouetted
light as breeze, between the portieres
that battered like rain.
ooh, m-aw!" Her voice came back
| to him like bell. "Oh, nav, dear,
would you stop readin' long enough 10
step into the parlor and meet Mr.
Sarpy?"
Mrs. Pope laid aside large wooden
arrangement she was knitting and rose
| stiffly from her chair. Her spotted silk
! dress rustled.
In that brief moment Miss Pape
Strengthened the maternal neckband,
whispered a final admonition in her
mothers very red ear and danced back
into the parlor.
Mall be here in just a minute, Mr..
Sarpy. She's always readin'!''
Presently Mrs. Pope hove in. She
ratified when she walked, and after you
| had regarded her for a bit the large
white spots on her black gown began
to magnify and rotate until the gift of
sight became a curse.
NAV, l want to make you acquaint-
ed with my friend Mr.. Sarpy."
PLEASED to meet you, ma'am." Mr..
Sarpy bowed to a careful angle.
PLEASED to meet you, sir. Nice
weather, amt it?"
''It is that carefully reseating him.
self
Mae says you work at the Biggest
store too
Yes, ma'am; I'm in the aisle ad-
joining. to the books
tEWol1 woI1 hooIyc, i, x-o,1r
| line
Nom" Mr.. Sarpy spoke with some
reluctance. Pm in the gents fur
nishing- next aisle to the books
80 gents furnishin' is your partic
lar liner
mo, ma'am; have been in the hard
ware and in the white goods
Mae, why don't you sing fer your
| friend? She amt got a bad singin'
voice when she's in practice"
With her forefnger Mae traced a pat.
tern on the brocade.
Jaw, maW," she demonstrated and
glanced out Of one eye at Mr. Sarpy
I'D be pleased to hear you sing,
Miss Pope
And me with such a coldr" But
she spread herself over the piano stool
and cast her eyes in modest fashion
at a remote angle Of the ceiling.
After a long and fervent crescen1o
the performer swung lightly around on
her stool.
You play just grand" said Mr..
Sarpy.
"Oh, you jollier, and me with such
a coldr'
Maybe MI. Sarpy would like some
refreshments, Mae"
The root beer and sandwiches were
served. Mr.. Sarpy partook with dig
nifty and reserve.
DO have another sandwich, Mr..
Sarpy."
mo, thank YOU He placed his glass
on the mantelpiece and flecked his
lips with his handkerchief Miss Pope
coughed twice behind her hand, and
her mother rose.
Il guess I'll be saying good night,
Mr.. Sarpy. Us old folks amt SO spry
on our legs as you young ones''
Miss Pope blushed.
Good night, Mrs. Pope. I'm pleased
that met you"
Same to you" said Mrs. Pope, clos.
ing the folding doors behind her.
= He bowed her out Miss Pope re-
manned at the center table, ruffline
| the leaves Of book idly through he1
l fingers. Mr.. Sarpy returned to he1
, side
/ "Your mothers pleasant, intelligent
lady"
, eve think she's NICE" she replied
: archly.
He took the book gently from hel
: | hand.
2 What are you reading?" He held
/ 1t sidewise and read the title, his face
l frightening.
| Lucille Oh, Miss Pope, are you
{ fond of Lucille too?'