The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-07-31

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the young lady's heart was given to John
Ledbitter; but, womau.lke, she kept this
to herself, and evinced no objection to the
universal admiration. AS to Aune Ster-
ling, no fine gentleman noticed her. her
accomplished, lovely, and London cousin
was all all. But as to the servants,
Molly, who had lived twenty years in the
family, and Joan, the dairymaid, who had
only lived as many months, they would
tell you that if Miss Cleeve's attractions won
admiration, Anne Sterling's would secure
more love, in the long run. The house.
keeping, and other household management
devolved on Anne, for Mrs. Sterling was u
confirmed invalid, sometimes not leaving
her room for days together.
"Shall you be able TO come to-night"
questioned Anne Sterling of Mr.. Ledbitter
as her father left the parlor.
with this weather, Anne!'
"But the moon will be up. Do try"
you unreasonable girl! the moon will
not dissolve the ice on the roads. What
Is 1t you are at there, so industriously"
Cutting papers for the candlesticks,"
reJoined Anne. "This is the last And
now | must hasten into the kitchen have
a thousand .and.onc things to do to-day,
and Mollys head seems turned"
Can help you'll"
NO." laughed Anne; "you would be
hlndrance, lmean, instead Of help. Selma
will be here directly"
She catered the parlor as Anne Sterling
left it--a stylish girl, in a rich plaid silk
dress. Her black hair was worn in heavy
bralds round her head, not much the fash.
ION then, especially in rural districts. John
Ledbltier's manner changed to one Of deep
tenderness. lie closed the door, and drew
her fondly to him.
"Oh, john were her first words, "what
unfortunate weather for our party to night!
You will never be able 10 come"
MY darling! had TO walk every step
of the way, here and back, and could re
main but time to suatch one word with you,
should not fail
"But You must come and return in the
night!-unlike the others, who can choose
the daylight"
"Ihe first dance, remember, Selma after
DO get here. Who comes from lligham?
Walter Crane, Of course"
"Ot course; and EIs sisters, and several
olheis. lie has engaged me for the first
and las, damces-you will not Jo here at
ciihcr-and as many more rs | would nc
cord him between, he sad
John l.eibittcr laughed, such 4 meaning
Iaugh, ard his eye twinkIel mischicvously
Selma, dearest" he whispered II fear his
case Is desperate. What SAY vou!
She understood him, and though She did
not say il in words, he saw, in that doNn-
east, happy countcnancc, that all cases"
save his own, 80 far Il. Selma WAS concern
cd, were desperate.
Delaying his departure rs long rs WAS
prudent, and still talking with Miss Ceeve.
John Ledbi;ter ut length rose to so. Iu
the kitchen, where he went to don his over
alls and rough coat, hc saw Molly taking
some mincepics and iartlcts out Of the
rJom.
Don't they look tirstlate?" said Molly
10 him. But that's nothing, Mr.. John;
just please step in here" And opening
the door OF the bes, kitchen, Ga large room
scarcely ever used 10y servants or masters,
being deemed too good for the one, and
not good enough for the other, since Miss
C.eeve came,) Molly proudly disclosed to
view the long supper table, already laid
y
large, handsome twelfth cake rose high in
the middleton it was Twelf:h-d -day-and u
bonny fire of wood and coal MAS burning
IN the CRATE.
u mean to keep ii up all day." observed
Molly, a!lnding to the large fire, for missis
has been on at me two or three times about
| getting the room well warmed. She was
for having the supper in the big parlor but
| they wanted 1t for cards Did you ever see
finer fowls, sir9 And them hama they'll
eat like marrow, for billed 'em myself, and
helped Miss Anne with the curing. All,
| you may well be struck with the yallow
richness of the chiscakes; and look at the
clearness Of the jeIyl you might see to
read through it. Half the things is in the
cellar yet, the custaIds and the two dishes
of trifle; besides the Drawn and the cold
beef, and them sort o things, which is TO
stand on the sideboard"
"What Il preparation" exclaimed John
Ledbitter, staring confusedly at the profuse
display. "Why, you must have had all the
cooks in the parish at work here for a
week"
"Cooks! what next!' cried the offended
! -ulSo -hHuS ulu ~ dll yesterday
and ths morning, with what little help
could give her in the matters of fetching
and carrying, and beating eggs, and lifting
on and off o saucepans. We never let Joan
come a.nigh us, though she kept haunting
the door and putting her eyes to the
chlncks, sick to see all rs was going for.
rard. You won't find Miss Anne's match
in this county, Mr.. Ledbt;er, or in any
other. My missis have brought her up right
well. She don't play the pianer, its true,
and she don't spend hours over her hair,
a setting oft off in outlandish winds round
her head, and she don't dress in silks the
first thing in morning" satirically added
Molly, with an alusion to somebody else,
which dr.. John perfectly well understood,
and laughed at. But see Miss Ammo in
Z L.