The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-10-01


you is the most complimentary : observed
Richard, drly, 'Now, then, clear the track
every soul of you, and give me chance !!
Aud he worked on, now br eaking into q
clear merry whistle, now pausing to survey
his achievements, but oftenest of all relaps.
ing into thoughts of the beautiful young
damsel at the picnic last night, who had
been so studiously cold and reserved toward
him.
She wont like me- thought he, land ]
can't, for the life of me tell why. Well, as
l said before. women are unaccountable con-
Germs ?
amy said Mrs Brewnleigh, to her
pretty young cousin. 4 wish you would
just run over to Mrs. Mayfeld's with this
note. The children are at school, and l
have no one to send
'Oh, no. said Amy, while fresh tinge
suAused her delicate cheek. L don't want
to encounter that superfne young collie
gian.'
'Nonsence, he isn't there-he is staying
with Harry Franklin
'Oh, then l will take the note said Amy,
rising, and looking round for her coquettish
little gypsy hat.
You are the strangest girl, Amy said
her cousin. What can be the reason that
you dislike Richard Mayfeld? He is so
handsome and so taenten ?
# don't fancy these merely ornamental
people, said Amy, pemurely. My husband
must be of some use in the world
'How do you know but that Mr.. May
field is p
Cant be possible said Amy, archly
shaking her curls. His hands are too small
for anything but lemon colored kid gloves !!
I'll wager new bonnet, Alice, that he
never did anything more laborious than to
carry box of segars, in his life !"
Miss Brownleigh laughed, and Amy pas
sed cut of the vine wreathed porch, wonder
ing within herself whether Mr.. Richard
Mayfelo had been very much vexed be-
cause she had refused to dance with him
the evening before.
Mrs. John Mayfeld's house was at no
very great distance, find as Amy was quite
intimate with that lady, and understood the
domestic saturnalia that was at present trans
piring within her domains, she did not
think it necessary to knock, but opened the
door and walked in without ceremony.
There stood Dick, the apex of pyrami-
dal scaffolding Of boards, his fine broadcloth
raimeut obsoured by a lime-splashed sheet
which was girded around his waist by a
ponderous knot of rope, and his black curls
overshadowed by coarse old straw hat,
working away as if for dear life. His back
was toward the door, aud supposing the
step to be that of his sister-in-law; he said,
gayly, without turning his head.
'What =. is the carpet ready so soon, Bell ?
I'm just through here, aud I'll come and
tack it down in one minutep
Not receiving any answer, he threw down
the brush aud turned round.
Miss Brownleigh!
He never had looked so handsome in his
life and that was the first thought that
rushed through Amy's mind, in the midst
OF all her embarrassment; for Dick had the
advantage Of this yonng lady in this respect
she was embarrassed, and he was not
He sprang, laughingly, to the ground,
and threw off his ghostly drapery.
You must think | have curious taste
in costume said he archly, 'but the truth
is that Isabel has been disappointed in her
workpeople, aud my brother is away from
home, so | am helping her clean house
Il did not know thought you had no
taste stammered Amy yunconsciously speak
ing out her thoughts.
you supposed that was nothing more
than an ornamental piece of furniture
Ask Isabel about that said Dick, half
piqued, half smiling. But can be of any
use to you now?'
Il had a note from my cousin, for Mrs.
Mayfeld,' said Amy, still speaking scarce
above her breath.
She has gone down to tie farther orch
ard said Dick. lit is some distance, aud
not very straight path. If you will wait
until l remove little of this lime, shall
be happy to escort you down there.
Halt an hour ago Amy would have haugh-
tily informed him lit was quite unnecessary
for her to trouble him'-now she stood
still and waited.
1t was long walk, under the spreading
shadow of noble old apple-trees, bending
with their weight OF crimson and russet
fruit, and through meadows ankle deep in
purple and bloom, and nodding plumes of
golden-rod, yet, for all that, Amy was quite
surprised when Mrs. Mayfeld came in
'.Ik aorx,ino, Ettlo boeLak -.