The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-12-29


twelve, who watched her furtively when
ever he glanced up from the battered
copy of " Robinson Crusoe" which he
was reading.
"Say, Cicy, saw Let Davis coming
home from school," at last he said, and
went on reading with all his might.
Now Lettie Davis was the light girl
in the cards standing between Cicely and
her lover. Poor Cicely had of late been
little jealous of her.
"Did you!" was her tardy response,
as his sister laid the knives carefully
Eyes, 1 did what do you think she
asked me Z"
"What 2" Cicely was betrayed into
asking, with an eager look.
Rob chuckled, after the manner of
wicked brothers.
Nothing, only if you was going to
singing-school 1 told her that would
depend upon whether John Saunders
went
"Oh, Rob-" said Cicely, sharply, her
face changing to pain.
"Now you needn't look at me that
way, cause never said word abou,
John; so don't cry fore you're hurt
But you bet Let Davis is the prettiest
girl IN this town."
Don't say you bet,'" said Cicely,
irritation in her voice " it sounds vul-
gar"
"No't don't, not if boy says it
faint half so bad as by gum! and
lots O. boys say that at our school.
Don't you think, now that Let is u
beauty?"
81 don't know" Cicely responded,
pulling the white cloth into place with
nervous little twitches 81 suppose she's
handsome; folks seem to think So"
"Pho. you girls never II say who
you thinks handsome. All the fellows
are awful sweet on Let Davis; she can
have any body she wants"
"Can she!" queried Cicely, in a voice
devoid of all expression.
I" Yes, she can any girl with yellow
curls and rosy cheeks and blue eyes and
red lips"
"Did you get that out of Robinson
Crusoe =" asked his mother, who had
entered a moment before too silently for
him to hear, and Rob subsided, with a
burning face, into silence.
Cicely knew in her heart that pretty
Let Davis was in love with her own
bonnie laddie," as the old grandmother
often called John; she knew it by
hundred signs, and she thought some
times that John himself suspected it. In
fact, Let was unconsciously at the bot
tom of all their trouble; for it was while
talking OF her that they had quarreled
And now tea was over, the dishes all
washed, the lamps lighted; and as yet
Cicely had not made up her mind
whether she would go to singing-school
or not. To be sure she had dressed for
it, and looked forward to it; but long
ago the clock had struck seven, and
John had not come. Should she go !.
There was nothing to detain her but the
lack of Johns company; and her cheek
burned when she thought how the girls
would talk. So she suddenly resolved
to go, put on her pretty little hat with
the crimson feather, that John had al
ways admired and tripped down stairs.
Come, Rob, want you to see me to
singing school" she said.
The boy looked up from his book.
Where's Johnl"
81 don't know-and l don't care" she
to add in a careless voice but
the words almost choked her.
6 don't b'long t. singin'- school, said |
Rob, unwilling to leave his story.
"Never mind, you can go with me to- |
night; and, besides, you'll see Lettie
Davis she's the beauty of the village,
you knew"
"Who cares for Let Davist" cried |
Rob, blunuy, stumbling on the con-
ciousneSs that she was connected with |
he non-appearance of JOHN. "She |
INIT half as handsome as you are, and |
I've heard ever so many say SO; and / |
guess shes deceitfnl. Her brother is, at |
my rate" and with this sudden change
If base Rob put by "Robinson Crusoe,"
md took down his cap.
They We're late when they arrived at |
.he schoolhouse. The tall singing-mas-
er, who i'll addition to talking through |
lis nose was tremendous disci pima
ian, suspended his operations on the
blackboard, whereon regiments of scared
emiquavers zigztgged up hill and down
ill ; holding his chalk wand in mid
ir till the culprits had seated them
elves; while every body looked on in
profound silence.
"How mortifyingl" thought Cicely,
.ngrily for had not the whole assem-
'ly had an opportunity to see that John
saunders was not with her? And could
he not hear, with burning, tingling
ars, the whispering behind herr She
,new who it was she had caught
glimpse of Lettie's beautiful eyes. Yes,
here was no denying it, her eyes were
beautiful.
Rob plucked her sleeve while they
we're singing "China."
:" say, Cicy, there's John just come
n. Bet he did call for you"
The blood flew to Cicely's face her
leart throbbed fast and furious. Some
,ody walked down the aisle-she knew
hat step; somebody seated himself be-
lind her. 1t was the only vacant seat,
,ut, unfortunately, next to Let Davis.
That sly little thing had made the place
~ dint of pushing. Instin' t, perhaps.
old her that Cicely and John had quar-
eled. Unreasonably angry, Cicely
would not look round till recess time,
ccomplishing this feat, when she did SO,
With more maneuvring than was neces-
'ary for so simple an act.
She barely recognized John. He,
hough piqued, tried his best to be civil.
Il called for you," he said; II was
letained."
"Oh, it wasn't any matter" Cicely re-
ponded, feeling her heart throb through