The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-07-01


had never happened before In all his prompt
mcthodical business life. Partly from nat0e
and partly from years Of training in business
that required the utmost thoroughness and pre-.
cision, Henry weston's leading. Characteristic
was a careful attention TO the smallest detaili
Of whatever came under his hand to do. HI.
employers trusted him entirely, knowing thai
no item entrusted to his oversight would b
neglected, or let slip for want OF care or prompt
attention. It was character worth possessing
and the sagacious ones were not far wrong
when they predicted that he would take . high.
or place In the bank before many years. Ger
tainly, hs was earning promotion.
Vacation days slipped around, and Mr.. Hon.
~ Weston made his arrival In Ardley. having
been duly heraldsd week before by the "hired
GIRL" 90 that there were plenty Of curious eyes
regarding the great numbering hack as II drew
up In front Of Squire Taylor's house. Thsne
was the homestead. just rs he had pictured 1t
large and breezy, with It's graceful shadowing
slms; there where was Squire Taylor, digniaed
and portly; his delicate lady wife, who must
have been once just what Lucy was now; there
was Fred. with his rough, hearty greeting. and
timid. auttering Lucy, looking fairer. fresher.
more enchanting than ever. In her pretty home
dress OF delicate lawn.
That very evening. As they oil sat together In
the queer old family sitting. room, and Lucy
sang. to simple accompaniment, "The lngle-
side." and such old fashioned songs as pleased
her father best. young Weston gave himself up
for lost, and decided that he really was In love.
Fred. Taylor. with his hearty rest for hunting,
fishing. rowing. and all country pastmes, gave
his friend little choice but to devote himself to
his vigorous tramps and rides through meadow
and thicke. In search Of sport. So It naturally
happened that. whsu night brought them home,
they were ravenously hungry. and too tired to
be either brilliant or sentimental, and thus the
wooing went on slowly.
Ono day after . week had been ,vasttd, ai
Weston mentally declared, q violent shower
drove the young sportsmen home in the middle
Of tho afternoon. It was pleasant as they
rushed into the yard, d,enched and muddy, to
catch glimpse Of Lucy's face Q. the window.
O, she sat contentedly with her sewing. and
Weston blessed the thunder shower that had
brough, him the privilege OF quiet afternoon
with her.
They assembled by tho back stairs to Fred. q
room; but, before they had half completed the
process Of donning fresh suits Of clothing, and
putting themselves an drawing.room trim. the
sun burst forth again In all its glory. To
Fred.'s eye there was something sggrsvating
in this--s sort OF provoking "don't.you-wish-
you'd stayed" expression to the clear sun.
bosms, that seemed to have been gathering
brightness all the time.
"Thsrs," said he, rsgretfully, eve might
just rs we'll have stayed; We were wet through
anyhow, and know should have had that
pickerel in half m hour longer. We might 60
bask uow,"-and ho looked doubling at Wcs-
ton.
mot l." Was the emphatic answer; 81
shall stay where am for the present. Besides
I have conscientious ecruples about that pick
erel. I believe it Is the very one you have
come 50 near catching every vacation for two
years. and am not going to see you murder
him."
"Oh, what sunshine! |" exclaimed Fred.
"and raining, too. There must bs rainbow
somewhere"
And he leaned out Of the window with boy
ish enthusiasm to look at It.
81 can just sec the end, ~ said he. bringing In
hi, dripping head. and crossing the hall into
another room. "Come over here, Weston" he
shouted. in moment AFTER, there's splendid
view here from Lucy's room. and it's just the
most perfect arch that ever was"
Now Weston felt some delicate scruples about
invading lady's apartment; but then, Lucy's
room! He had vague desire to visit such m
enchanted place, and. at oil events. how could
hs refuse Fred's repeated summonsl So he
crossed the hall. with his heart in delightful
tremor. and entered the sacred preoints, scarce
ly daring to cast glance. behind him. Oh,
spirit Of neatness Oh, goddess OF order!
Who shall describe the room where he found
himseltl The Aoor was unswept; tho bed was
unmade; the washstand q miscellaneous colleo-
ton Of combs. brushes, soiledtowels and soap.
suds. Slippers, dresses-every article Of fs-
male apparel-were lying in confusion upon
bed. bureiu and chairs; while curtain. half
torn from It's support. trailed disuially on the
door. Not that Weston saw ell these items Of
discomfort; he only took in general impress
Lon from one hssty survey. - he strobe des-
perately to the open window.