Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1932-12-09
Miss Lavinia's
Goblets
By H. LOUIS RAYBoLD
@ by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

"T>HERE he goes again!" whis-
= pered Julia Bradley to her sis.
ter Martha. as she peeked through the
tightly drawn lace curtains of their
nttle-used parlor Third time this
| Week. Now, what do you make OF it?"
Come out of this ice box" com
planned Martie fretfully, "and I'll tell
you. There's nothing more to see now
he's gone in"
me two shawled old ladies, both
such victims of rheumatism that
| watching their neighbors and gossip
Ing over them was the only social ac-
tivity left them limped out to the more
cheerful sitting room.
Il think" said Martha, "that 'Vinia
mas given up expecting Ben Cooper
VIII get over his ten-year crouch and
Is setting her cap at this here old fel.
low from the city. Seems he's terri.
BILE well-to-do."
well" said Julia emphatlcally, as
she settled down to her knitting. 81
don't blame 'Vinia, but what a city
man can see in an old maid like that
with his money and smart looks, he
could get most anyone in his own
town, for all his age-that's what gets
me-"
Did anyone ever really know"
queried Martha, "just what 1t was be-
tween the two Of them that broke up
the match and kept 'em not speaking
to each other for going on ten years
this spring."
wei, they say" said Julia, at was
something to do with those goblets of
her grandmother's that 'vinia sets
such store by. She had the even doz-
en-, until Ben up and broke one. They
quarreled over It and one thing led
to another-silly young things they
were then-and-well, you know as
much as | do"
Folks are queer, sister," said Mar.
tie complacently. "They sure are
queer"
1t was really unfortunate that the
cold had driven the two old women
from their post at the window quite
so soon. Hardly had they scuttled out
to the stove than Ben Cooper walked
slowly down the street, paused mo-
ment at Miss I4avinia's clematis-hung
gate, then continued on his way.
rs it possible" Ben was thinking,
that / am going to see the only wom-
an ! ever cared boot for, walked
! off with by an old duffer from town?
He's called there now half a dozen
times, if what everybody tells me Is
true and that means business. What
a fool have been not to have pocket
ed my pride years agor
A few minutes later, the Bradley
sisters were rewarded for repeated
trips into the parlor by seeing the
courtly figure of Mr.. Thomas Wendell
emerge from their neighbours house
across the street. They would have
given much to have heard what he
said as he lifted his hat to 'Vinia who
stood In the doorway.
II can count on your answer We'd
nesday without fail? l thank you"
That evening, well after dark, when
Julia and her sister were peaceably
knitting together. Ben Cooper made
his way to Lavinia's. They knew
nothing of his visit. Lavinia herself.
when she saw his once familiar figure
at her door, drew back with her hand.
still white and slender, against her
throat. "Why, Ben" she breathed.
tits me. 'Vinia," he said hoarsely.
"l-I-er-that is, l. just had to see
you. May come in?"
A moment later and he was seated
stiffly on the edge Of the long horse
hair sofa.
"Tel me. Lavinia," he demanded
sternly, us It true that you are going
to marry that old fossil from the
city,"
Lavinia gave an amused. throaty
chuckle. II don't know what business
1t is of yours" she said. hut I'm per.
fectly willing to tell you he's coming
for an answer Wednesday"
"Wednesday" repeated Ben help
lessly. "wednesday" Then, with one
single stride. he came over to her and
picked her up In his two strong arms.
'When he comes" he said harshly,
'you tell him you're going to be mar
ried on Thursday to me. What fools
we have been, Lavlnia! What years
we have wasted I" his voice broke and
he pressed his head against Lavinia's
hair. as Lavinla's two arms crept slow
ly up around his neck.
Wednesday, Mr.. Thomas Wendell
came for his answer, nor did It appar-
emily displease him.
"Pve dreaded to sell them, Mr..
Thomas, for they were my mothers
and her mothers before her. There
were the twelve of them, but my
1ance accidentally broke one Of them.
I'm sorry to have kept you dangling
for price. but at last, seeing I'm GO
ing to be married, I guess I can use
the money for my trousseau."
as that so?" said Mr. Thomas Wen
dell politely. "My congratulations. |
and I'm grateful to get the goblets."
Funny" said Martha Bradley cross.
ly, show some people have all the luck. |
Not enough men to go round and La. |
vinia with two of 'em on her hands at |
once. now that Ben's come counting |