The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-12-04
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ONLY A COUNTRY GIRL.

gulleless, simple loving creature.
"Oh." said Fred, laughing, .'choic
collection Of virtue and grace. Countr.
beauties are always sweet, and 50 ar
country cows. No, tell YOU, Ii she wa
rs lovely rs an angel, with the best sens,
In the world, still II unskllled in music an,
literature. with no soul above churns ant
knitting needles, would not marry he
for fortune"
lila! Ila"' laughed Helen Irving. bu
Il was very pianissimo laugh, way dOwi
In the very corner Of her heart. lliddei
by the trunk Of large tree, she sat read
Ing within few feet Of the egotist.
In another moment the young lady cam'
In sight. Fred's face crimsoned. aud h'
whispered with visible trepidationg'
"DO you think she heard meg'
NO." rejolned the other audlbly-sh'
shows no resentment, she has not ever
looked up from her book; you are safe
she could not have heard you, but wha
an angel she Is"
i Yes. Helen was an angel rs far rs out
ward beauty might merit the enc0lnium
She sat half reclining on rustic sea
striving To smooth out the dlmples In hel
cheeks rs she laid her book aside and be-
gan 10 twine an unfinished wreath of wilt
roses.
Leaning on one white arm, the gnarlet
white oak tree back ground, flowers
strewed around her, peeplng from hcl
white dress, she sat quite ut her ease, ap
parently unconscious that two handsom,
young gentlemen were so near her.
Approaching with low bow. upOi
which his mirror had set the seal Of fault
less elegance. Frederick Lane took th,
Iiharfy An usEin0r IL thn laslx. NvnliIl
inform him where Mr.. Irving lived
/ With an innocent smile the beauty look.
eel up.
"Mr. Irving. the only one living In the
village. Is my father" said she, rising In
a graceful and charming manner, 1.-The
large house on high ground, half hidden
by trees and thick shrubbcry, that's where
we live. 1 believe IL was an academy
| once, that's sort OF select school Isn't
ity" with the most natural simplicit ~,
turning to Fred.
He replied with another very graceful
bow.
"rell your father" said he, ''that 1
shall do myself the honor to call upon
him tomorrow. He will remember me,
Frederick Lane mt your service"
"Ies, sir. will tell him for you," said
Helen, tucking her sleeve around her
pretty arm, and making rather formal
courtesy. Then catching up her books,
and gathering some flowers, she hurried
home.
Snow, father. mother, aunt and SIS"
exclaimed the merry girl, bounding Into
the room where the family were mt sup
per, $50 sure rs you and live, that Mr..
\ Lane YOU talk so much about, Is In the
village. lie will call here Tomorrow
the first specimen OF n city beau, Gas OF
course he is) all sentiment, refinement,
faultless In kids and spotless In dickey,
Important and sclf-assured as one OF that
Kind can possibly be. Promise me, all OF
YOU, that you'll not lisp one word about
music. reading and writing In his pres.
euce. because have plan. Father will
not, l know but IL you, SIS. will keep quiet
aud ask no questions, will give you that
work box you have coveted 81 long"
"IIelen, you are not quite respectful
said her father.
"Forgiye me. dear father, and her arms
were around his meek. l always mean
well, but am thOughtless. There, all Is
right now." she added, kissing him low
lngly on the temple.
"Comc sis. what say your
"Why on that condition, Ill be rs still
as mouse: but what's your reasony"
.Ah! that's my own business" said
Helen dancing out Of the room.
Helen sat mt an open window, through
which rose bushes thrust their blushing
buds, making both sweet shade anu
fragrance. The canary, overhead. burst
forth every moment In wild snatches OF
glorious m,isic.-llelen was at work on
long, blue stockings. nearly finished, and
her fingers ilew like snow birds.
You knit most admirably. Are yon
fond Of ity'
ayes. quite. like II better than any
thing else-that Is, l mean l can churn
WELL"
"And do YOU read much - Fred's glance
had travelled from the corners Of his eyes
10 every table, shelf and corner, In search
Of some books or papers, but not apagc
or leaf, yellow or rare.repaid his search.
''Oh, yes sir" said Helen with sancti-
fled air.
"what bookss permit me to ask"
II read the Bible II good DEAL" she said
gravely.
''Is that all?'
"All, Of course not. and what do we not
find In the Bibleg History, poetry, elo-
ouence romance--the most thrilling pa
Ithos"-blushlng and recollectlng herself
she added with manner as childish as II
before had been dignliled. las for the 9th
er books, let me see, I've got In my libra
ry-thcre's the primer Counting on hei
| finyers,) Second Glass Reader. Robinson
Cr,Isoe, Nursery Tales, Fairy Stories, tive
/ or three elements Of something, biography
of some persons or other. Mothers Maga
zine, and King William Ill. There, isn''
that good assortment!'
/ Fred smiled.
"Perhaps don't know rs much as those
who have went to school more," she add
ed as II disappointed at the mute rejoind'
er. "but In making bread and churning
butter. and keeping house, ! am not IL
be out-done."
The young man felt more In pity than
4 In love, but his visits did not always so re-
suit. lie began to feel magnetic NJ
Traction, and he mainly attributed II to
llclen's beauty; but the truth Is, her
sweetness and artlessness or character,
engaging manners and disposition, quite
won the city bred aristocrat, Fred Lane.
, There was freshness about everything
she said or did. She perpleSed as well
as delighted him.
i Often, as he was wondering how some
Il "
, good society. some beautiful sentimen,
would suddenly drop Ike pearl from hci
, lips more remarkable for originality than
. brilllancy.
"If should fall into the snare" though
. he, ~ can educate her. Ii will be worti
trying"
IL was useless to combat his passion
!. so at last he fell at llelcn's feet. .flgurative
|, speaking, and confessed his love for her.
IL care not, Helen, only be mil'e,' wa
his inyariable answer to her exclamation
OF unworthiness, "lIow she would appeal
. In society"
They were married. had returned IRON
their wedding tour. and yet. at the explr
alton OF their honeymoon, Fred was NOR
In love than ever. Al grand entertain
ment, given by the relatives OF the bride
groom, Helen looked more beautiful thar
ever. Her husband did not Insist that shs
|. should depart nom simplicity, and indeed
I Without Jewels or laces, with that fresh
white robe, ample sash Of blue, and orna'
ments OF fair moss rose she was by fAr thu
: most lovely or reature In the room.