Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-06-08


every careless"
"Thank you"
"Thank YOU"
Then two doors shut crisply. Behind
one the major wiped his brow. by
Jove by Jove ~ he exclaimed family.
Behind the other, Miss Barton sank
palpitatingly into chair.
ooh, it was awful-awful she
gasped. aunt Emma, he-he had
mine Then she fell on her knees be-
fore the suitcase and fearfully pressed
the spring. "Oh!" she cried, with pink
cheeks, and shut the bag with a snap.
Getting settled was not long mat
ter in the south side. Miss Barton and
her aunt, Mrs. Todd, made quick work
of it, Across the hall it was different.
The little mother" could not come for
a week yet, and the major spent much
of this time in shifting his new furni-
ture about from corner to corner.
There was something else, too, which
nterfered not little with the writing
of his "Results of the Spanish War"
upon which he was supposed to be
Just now hard at work-the major
went shopping; he went shopping for
white enamel wOrkbasket barred
with gold.
As the major took all his meals out
| during those seven days, he passed
very frequently up and down the stair
! way. Sometimes he met his neighbor
of number three.
1t was on the sixth day that Miss
Barton, on going out for loaf of
bread, found the major sitting on the
top step of the stairway. He arose at
once as she approached, bus when she
came back ten minutes later he was
again sitting on the top step.
For ten minutes Miss Barton moved
| restcssly about her rooms, then she
once more put on her hat AMI coat and
went out into the hall.
AS before, the major sprang to his
| feet and retreatcd toward his own
door. but Miss Barton did not seem to
notice. In the little store around the
corner she bought paper Of pins
| which she in no wise needed, and bent
hurried steps hOmeWArd. At the top
of the stairs she turned sQuarely
around and faced the man skulking by
the door of number four.
rs there anything wrong? Are you
in trouble? Can | do something for
you?" she asked with precipitation
that limited at a courage fast oozing
out at her fingertips.
THANK you, nO-er-that is, l have
been careless enough to leave my keys
inside. | am waiting for the janitOr-
and a ladder"
"Oh, but the janitor went to Brook
Ign this forenoon. He told me he
wouldn't be back until five o'clock, "
said Miss Barton, pityingly,
For ten minutes more Miss Barton
moved restlessly about her pleasant
rooms; then she knocked at her aunt's
bedroom door.
Aunt Emma, Aunt Emmaw she
called. you'll just have to come into
the parlor. He, next door, is locked
Oul, anu We just S'l w dSh MN III
until he can get a ladder"
"What !" demanded Aunt Emma, sit
ting bolt upright on the bed, where
she was trying TO get nap. what !!
Some minutes later, Mrs. Todd
sleepy and unwilling, sat in the par
lor's easiest chair trying to knit; the
major, flushed and i'll at ease, sat in
the bay window pretending. to read
and Miss Barton. checked and
dignfied, sat by her workbasket try.
ing to look unconcerned.
For a time there was silence. The
major having been distinctly invited
in to read, felt in duty bound to keel
the paper raised before his face; but
his eyes, more mutinous than his
hands, left the paper and explored the
territory within their range.
There's something here-somethinl
that l haven't got" he unused; ther
his eyes fell on the workbasket. Dow
went the paper, and up went his chill
! determinedly.
Miss Barton, could you--would yOr
tell me where you got the basketT
he asked abruptly.
The ladys neck, cheek, and brow
burned scarlet--it was the basket thai
had been truant with the suitcase
Suddenly the major. too turned fierce
ly red. The next instant something O
the courage that was his in battle
flashed from his eye.
81 asked" he went on with laugh
that surprised himself, so easy was it
because I've hunted for a week for
basket like that TO give to mother.
want white-enamel standing work
basket, barred with gold" he finished
unconsciousIy falling into the lormuli
, which he had that week presented t
no less than ten New York clerks.
: "But | didn't bty it," laughed Mis-,
, Barton in her tUrn mot that way
1t was an ugly 'tttle cane basket o
! no particular shaUe when | bought II
| enameled it myself and checked /
off with gold paint"
IT was easier after that. TIL,
major lost his flush, and Miss Barton
looked unconcerned without trying
, Miss Barton forgot time, herself, ant