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

idol for one uulucky discovery; 90, with thoughts
roaming In beautiful future, Weston fell
asleep.
"I am very sorry, y said Squire Taylor at
the breakfast table next morning. "that find
myself obliged to send Fred. away on business
to-day; but dso say Lucy will do what she
can to entertain you till he comes back"
Delightful !" thought Weston to himself
80 whole day without dragging up and down
these everlasting trout brooks. or tramping
through the brush after imaginary partridges
and rabbits. that never were there and never
will be-"
So, With many assurances that there was not
tho least danger Of having dull time. he
watched Fred. ride away gsily on his black
ponsy. snapped his fingers as he closed the
gate. and went back to the house to propose to
Lucy ride to the romantic little lake they had
told him 90 much about.
Lucy was good enough to say she should be
delighted to 60. but sundry household matters
would detain her half an hour or 90. In the
meantime her cavalier brought the charriage
to the door. looked With habitual caution after
every strap and buckle Of the harness, and
then went up to his room, with masculine
idea that woman's half hour was very in
definite period indeed.
Now the room directly under his was oscu-
pied by an ancient spinster, distant relative
Of the family, called, by way Of courtesy,
Cousin Barbara. This Cousin Barbara, hav-
ing ono Of those shivery natures that never
seem to get comfortably warm, insisted upon
keeping up her stove all the year around, and
as the pipe passed up through the floor Of
weston's room on Its way to the chimney, It
formed, as you con easily imagine, an excellent
conductor of sound-a regular speaking trum-
pet. Weston knew he should be sure to hear
Lucy when she left her room, so he made him
self perfectly easy, and had nearly finished
writing letter when be heard her door open,
and her little feet so pattering down the stairs.
He was just following, when her voice caught
bis ear from the room below.
30. Cousin Barbara, your needle Is always
threaded; just put q stitch into my gaiter here.
can't find my thimble, and I mustn't keep
Mr.. Weston waiting"
"I should like to SEQ the time" said Cousin
Barbara, tartly. "when you could 60 any,
where without stopping to mend something or
other"
"Oh. we'll" said Lucy, pleasantly, "your
occupation would DO gono II you hadn't me TO
mend and scold.''
The only answer was sort Of growl. and in
. moment there was kind Of "spud" as II the
article to be mended had been tossed upon the
floor. This was followed almost instantly by
an excited exclamation.
"For mercy's sake, Lucy Taylor! you aren't
going riding With them ragged stockings on'"
"They won't show through my Shoes" wa,
the quiet answer, "and haven't any better
ones"
"S'pose you should get turned over, and
sprain your anklei" said Cousin Barbara.
stalking around tho room. "Any way, you'll
know they are ragged yourself. and before I'd
wear hole inside my shoes, I'd have them full
of-of-"
"Coals of frc," suggested Lucy, with an ag-
gravating little laugh.
"No. gravel stones," concluded Cousin Bar
bara. as Lucy fitted out Of the room.
Poor Weston. who heard every word Of this
oolloquy, felt SO much ashamed Of himself that
he could hardly look Lucy In the face /; but
she looked as fresh, and sweet, and beauteous
as morning glory, with the dew still wet up
It.
~ am safe for the preseut," I" thought Weston.
a. ho handed her into the carriage emo dan.
ger Of my committing myself to-day"
And yet It Is fact that, several times before
evening, he was only saved from venturing his
fate upon one bold move, by timely recollec-
ton Of grim Cousin Barbara and the unlucky
stockings.
It was pleasant day, and yet not as euchsnt-
ing as he had promised himself; and he was
not very sorry to be once moro at home,
and meet Fred's jovisl face at the cheerful tea
table.
Then came the old routine Of hunting and
fishing for few days moro, till, at last, the
people Of Ardley concluded to get up grand
pio.nic at Long Pond. Everybody was to be
there, old and young and the Taylors entered
heartily into preparations for the occasion by
providing an untold amount Of eatables, both
dainties and substantials. The eventful day ar
rived, and AFTER spending q wearisome morning
in helping Fred. to build tables In the grove
where the supper was to be spread, Weston
sought his room for bath and nap, before
the family should be ready to set out Half.
doing on the lounge, he became suddenly con-
scious Of Lucy's voico coming up again from
Cousin Barbara's room. He started up in ner-
vous dread. with the mental exclamation:
"why on earth can't she keep away from
here on this day!" Bat there was nothing at
al terrifying In Luey's gentle tones.
"Cousin Barbara, please put pin In my
COLLAR for ms-snd another In my sash be-
hind"
Weston subsided but unmerc,fdl Cousin
Barbsra-thsrs seemed to be no evadipg her ar.
gus eyes.
"of all things, Lucy Taylor, haven't you
finished this dress ystf-and worn Il so many
times. Here's the skirt only pinned and bssted
on. and. a. true ~ live, no cording on tho
neck I"
"wsll," said Lucy, not one BIT disturbed.
"who viii bo the wiser for what is under my
oollari and you shall eco how nicely the sash