The Republican journal., 1870-11-17
LlLlIAN'S LOVER.

could count more than one lover when She
came to visit at the farmhouse Of her aunt,
relct of the late Jacob Andrews. Lillian had
hirted with half the seniors of X Col
lege, one after another, rs well as the pro
fessors, at her own home, and, having enjoy
ed the advantage of such extended practice,
she was, rs may be supposed, able and ac-
complished in that fine art. But, as she
used to affirm, "a lover is q myth till he de-
cares himself" Lillian being so lewhat out
of health this summer, it had been decided
that, instead of recruiting after the fashion
able methods at the springs or the mountains.
she should make u visit to the country town
of Briarbanks, where the air was good and
the diet wholesome, and the landscape un-
surpassed.
She arrived at Brarbanks late in the even-
ing, and, after being coddled with cup Of
tea and q custard. retired to her pillow with
out more ado. Consequently she was some
what surprised on entering her aunt's break
fast-roonl, to find handsome young man
dressed in homespun, of course, but not one
whit less handsome for that--scated at her
aunt's table.
Good morning, Lilly" said that lady, Il
hope you rested well. You look as fresh as
a rose Jest blowed. This is John Yarmouth,
Lilly"
'.Indeed," thought Lilly; cone would sup
pose John Yarmouth to be person of re-
nown. It's as if she had said, This is John
Bunyan, Lilly or John Milton John Var
mouth, forsooth! | never heard of him"
Then, Good morning Mr.. Yarmouth" "
John pushed away his chair, rose to his
full height and held out brown, honest
hand awkwardly enough, for Mrs. Andrews
had not told him that Lii was under the roof
Il hope you will find Briarbanks pleasant" 5"
he said.
Il mean 10 find it pleasant" returned Lill
''And the saying is, when woman says
she WILL she willn'
s'And when she won't, she Won't - added
Mrs Andrews.
ooh, | don't know about that think she
can be persuaded then
That is cncouraging,' laughed John 1ar-
mouth
.sWho is ?" asked Lii, when he had
gone out.
Giles Mr.. Andrews brothers nephew's
second cousin. He manages the farm for
me. Your uncle Jacob set great sight by
him. He's an uncommon young fellow for
these parts, or any others.'
s-lIe's uncommonly handsome" acknowl-
edged Lii. By-and-by she stroled into the
best parlor, where the blinds were drawn,
and strong odor Of black pepper and cam
phor prevailed against the moths that dared
to forage on Mrs. Andrews three-ply carpet.
IAN or@an.' cried Lii, stumbling upon it
in the dusk 81 never knew you played,
Aunt Rhodl. 1t wasn't here when | came
bcfore'
Its John Yarmouth's.'
ooh What does he do with it Keep it
to look at, or tor visitors?"
.Why he plays on it, to be sure
plays on it! With those great hands.'
Il guess that don't hinder him. Why,
child alive, he plays for the choir in meeting
and when they had the great festival mp at the
city they sent for him TO come and help 'cm
out with it. | can tell you he's got q voice
that goes jest to the right place. When
hear him it seems to me should like to hey
him 90 on 50 fur ever and ever"
Seems to me you and Uncle Jacob are in
love with him." said Lii, pertly.
'sWcll, you Jest take care that you don't
catch the dstemper. You won't be the fust
girl, nor you needn't be ashamed of it
neither"
Mercy, Aunt Rhoda l didn't come here
to fall in love-
every like; but folks often gifts what they
don't come after"
| Aunt Rhoda proposed that they should take
Lii over to Ruby Mountain that afternoon
| then, remembering that she had invited com
pany to tea, backed out of the affair, and left
John rs sole escort.
''You might call in on your way and take
Bessy Bell along with you," she suggested.
Rut when they had driven half the distance
John suddenly reined up and said
81 beg your pardon. | didn't call fol
Bessy Bell. Shall we go back for her?"
''lf you want her. If she's Il favoritc OF
yours" returned Lill And John whipped
up the horse and drove on. Lill chatting, as
her way was, iamilarly and easily, rs il
John Yarmouth had been an acquaintance OF
lated the history of this and that farm as they
passed, some drowsy old legend haunting
yonder wood, some enchantment residing il
a wayside brook.
| 1t would be difficult to recount the degrees
by which John Yarmouth became Lills de
voted slave, for such he was before the
month was well out Ii she wished to 81
on the veranda, he brought the camp-stools
if the air grew chilly. he hunted up her wraps
if she had expressed n latent desire to vis
the moon, no doubt but he would have made
the attempt.
Hes such delightfully."- oblging soul,
she once said to her aunt ''And vet he
makes you feel rs if it were all y matter o
course, rs if you were doing him Il favor to
receive his services and then, one don't fee
at all afraid lest he'll mistake one, and 90 to
falling in love, you see.'
Aunt Rhoda looked at ILL over her spec
tacles.
''The girl that gifts John" said she, oracu-
larly, "gits gold"
''Oh, yes" answered Lii, absently. ''hc's
a very nice sort of fellow; he's as strong rs
a lion"
"a modern Samson,'' limited Aunt Rhoda
II wonder who is the modern Deliah'
"Oh, | should think he was above letting
any woman ruin him."
"Everybody has a weak side"
'Yes, [ think Johns weakness is on tn,
side of grammar" laughed Lii.
Ellis grammar! Why, l never noticel
it," which wasn't at all surprising. 'IIei
well educated, John is; he taught the distric
school winter before last, and he beats every
thing at cphering.
..Does he ?" said ILL, rs if she didn't care
a fig about it.
"You havn't tried your fortune at the
brook yet" said John that evening when he
had ''slicked up" as Aunt Rhoda called it
after his hard days work, and come in tc
play the agreeable to Lii; ''the moons al
right for it too," he pursued
Then We'll go tonight said She; 'yot
know You promised to wait at the stile.
declare il makes my flesh creep now to thnl