The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-08-20

| ana the gentleman, DOWlnS, maze IeW
pleasant remarks about my journey, then
with the excuse that he was sure we woult
wish to be alone together, he badc us goot
afternoon and departed.
caught Bellies hand and made her lool
straight into my eyes.
"What mischief are You in now, dear3'
asked.
"Oh. don't pinch!" she cried, laughing
"don't you think he's nice? 1 call him my
Corydon; and now don't you begin to fliri
with him, love, for he's my especial prop.
ertyr'
"Hum!r said I, 81 wonder what Archie
Russell would saya"
81 haven't accepted Archie yet" said
Belle, defiantly; ..and who knows but
what should like to live in the country
after alp Don't you think Corydon has
fine eyes, Phene? but maybe you didn't
notice."
"No didn't" answered. u little short
ly, quick to forcsec that Belle and were
not to have such long, indolcnt dreamy
talks and readings under the trees as had
imagined. For flirtations put everything
out of tune.
But Belle only laughed. and led me of
up stairs to large, pleasant least cham
Der" that we were to occupy together
She flew around in her most winsOme way
helped me of with my cumbersome dress,
seated me in little, low rocking-chair,
and taking down my hair began to brush
II for me in our old schoolgirl fashion,
while she chatted about all the city news.
By-and-by her aunt En- came in to see
me and make me welcome. She was n
nice, old lady. with shrewd, honest eyes
and liked her in u moment.
"Where's Sarah?" asked Belle.
.'Oh. Sarah's out watching the bees"
said Aunt En-. "We're expecting every
minute when they'll begin to swarm
And must 60 right away to see after the
milk: so you won't sec me again till sup
pcr's ready"
And away she went, full of housewifely
cares.
"Your cousin SarahP" l asked, vaguely
remembering that had heard u cousin
Sarah mentioned some time or other.
"Yes." said Belle. "All the rest of Aunt
Ems daughters are married, all but Sa-
rah,"
"Is she nice and pretty'" I asked, with
some curiosity.
"Why don't know" said Belle, laugh
ing carelessly. "Yes, Sarah is very good,
in her way. She's rs much rs twenty-five
years old, going to be an old maid, You
know, and she's good and quiet in her lit
tie way. and she makes the butter and
watches the bees, That's all there is n
bout Sarah. Have you seen Archie Rms
sell since came away, dear? and did he
ask about me?'
So we went back to our city gossip, and
only finished when the call to supper was
heard. Such supper! such bread and
butter! such fruit and cream, and honey!
while Aunt En- kept up little friendly
talk about her Alderneys and her currunt
ielley. and Sarah with preoccupied air
said she was glad the new hives had been
sent up from the store that afternoon. i
liked Sarah, she looked so gentle, so little
selfasserting; IL seemed rs If she had
grown up In her way of life rs naturally
and contentedly as the lilac bushes in theirs,
and as firmly rooted. Going to be an old
maid! l wondered why, for in those days
had not learned what beauty may lie in
the lives of the unmarried.
Come" said Belle, springing up from
the table-"come, Phenc, and put some
rose-buds in INV hair. for Corydon will be
here this evening almost know he will"
So we went out in the front porch, while
Sarah and her mother cleared the table
and washed up the dishes.
"How did You get acquainted with Mr..
Brooks, Belle?n asked, rs i fastened n
pink bud in her light pulls.
"Why, you know, wrote you there was
nobody here to speak to-" she answered,
gayly, ..and felt like wasted sweetness
and so lonesome. And wasn't it queer, he
came To call on Aunt En- the very day af-
ter sent my letter. i suppose he heard
somehow of my being here. He was n
way on business all the week before,so he
couldn't come sooner, he said. And now
he has been here four times, and l think
he's splendid. He isn't very easy to tlirt
with, he's so honest, suppose but mean
to have him dead in love with me before l
30 home"
.And what then?" I asked. Il should
think you'd be tired Of getting yourselfinto
scrapes. Belle"
She began to sing ..Oh, won't be num-"
and we sat in the door looking down the
path. What dear, old-fashioned place IL
was! A ''live-forever" grew one side of
the steps, and bush of southern-wood the
other. There were cinnamon roses and
damask roses along the fence, and the clo-
yer grew deep and rich all over the yard.
"He's coming" whispered Belle, and
Mr.. Brooks walked rapidly down the road,
apparently with no intention of stopping,
till Belle called and asked him if he wasn't
coming in.
II was going to the village; but this Is
pleasanter,' he sand, opening the little gate
and coming up 10 us Miss Bennett, l
hope You are pleased with your first after
noon here. How are your aunt and cous-
in. Miss Risley? have not seen them to-
day."
"Oh, they are out in the Kitchen" said
Belle, raising her smiling blue eyes to his,
"Isnt il lovely here mt this hour. Mr..
Brooks? Every day af,er tea come here
TO watch for the evening-star. See,there il
is now, just over those clouds. Isn't Ve-
nus beautilulp"
Mr.. Brooks seemed To think that Venus
rdS beautiful. and sitting down by us he
appeared quite ready to join in Bellies live
~ chatter and quick repartecs. But it oc-
Cured to me that he was not quite so sus-
ceptible rs Belle thought.
A few bclatcd bees were humming ~
round the white clover.
"Some of Sar;,h's honey-becs," said.
At that moment Sarah herself came
through the narrow entry, and sat down
among us with her knitting. She was n
quiet bit of background for Bellies brillian-
cy; only when any Of us said anything
witty she laughed us if she enjoyed 1t.
The sun went down, and the moonlight
came instead. shining white on the silver
elms and willows.
III am going" said Mr. Brooks, and he
rose. "What do you say to q ride on
horseback tomorrow, young ladies?
Don't You think your cousins would like II,
Sarlhgn
ayes, indeed" she said; ..and il Is such
pleasant road To the cliff. Belle has not
seen the cliff yet"
ssV.vx. wall " ha I'll ..r -.~,,,-