The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1870-06-16

pectable boarders."
Ellie colored up here.
II am sure, aunt Betsy, Mr.. Castle
wynne is respectable.
"a pettifogging, dissipated, good
for.nothing lawyer-and Frank Er
mine is no better. Elfrida, if yo'
don't stop taking such long stitches
I'll make you rip them all out again
What I want you to understand is this
that this love. making business has go
to stop. won't tolerate Tom Castle
wynne's presumptuous attentions-no
not for another day! I'll pack up ant
leave Merrifield sooner! Do you hea
me, Elfrida9"
"Yes, aunt Betsy, I hear you"
every well; then I'll trouble you tt
heed me as we'll. Perhaps you think
didn't see you lingering on the very
threshold of their door this morning
talking nonsense about the trumpery
wild roses you had been gathering
On the threshold Of young man,
ROOM! Elfrida, I don't know wha
you are coming to!"
"But aunty, the door was wide oper
and Mrs. Glenn was in the hall, ant
Isabella Raymond. and Major Par
kel's daughter
II don't care if the twelve tribes o.
Israel were there, it makes it none the
less improper for you''-and here hel
aunt Betsy rolled up her eyes in fear
full cataleptio manner. ''Now stoI
dropping those big tears over that
turkey-red joining of that quilt.
never saw such baby in all my life
never"
What relief it was to poor hunted
little Elfrida when Mrs. Major Parker
came in, with her stiff, rustling silks
and her basket of knitting-work, and
she was allowed to steal away into the
inner room, with pricked finger, aching
spinal column, and eyes yet dewy with
tears.
"I'll be married as soon as ever ]
can," thought Ellie, with an indignant
pout ofthe cherry lips. IF ] thought
l should ever live to be an old maid
like aunt Betsy, I'd jump into the river
I would"
And Ellie crept away for a walk
lows spirited enough.
The afternoon was we'll advanced
before Mrs. Parker departed; and Miss
Betsy Whistleton, politely seeing her
to the door, stood looking after her
portly retreating form.
ii wonder where Elfrida has gone
to-" pondered the spinster aunt
"Down in the grove flirting with that
odious Castlewynne, I've no doubt-
dear me, what trials girls are! Castle
wynne's out somewhere, I know, for
the door oil his room is half open.
Now, / wonder"
Miss Betsy Whistleton stretched her
long ueck curiously towards the neigh
boring apartment-she looked up the
hall. and down the hall, but there was
not soul in sight.
II don't really believe they exchange
notes." said Miss Whistleton, "but !,
they di,l-and it's really very excel
lent opportunity"
She paused again and listened; still
no sound, save stray footsteps in the
hall below.
81 think it's my duty" said Miss
Betsy, setting her colorless lips tight
together, and advancing on tip-toe, in
to the apartment of Messrs. Castle
wynne and Ermine.
~ never was in mans room be-
FORE" thought the lady, with a little
bride and simper. "Dear me, what a
variety of boots and slippers, right in
the middle of the floor! Is this b.an-
dy and water2 No, it's lemonade
and q box full of cigars, as l live, and
novel! Oh, the depravity of Young
men! 1 really hope shan't be con.
tamipated by this awful atmosphere.
And what's this curious wooden thing ?
Oh, I suppose it must be a boot-jack
A dressing case, too, with chased sill
yer shoppers to all the bottles-dear
me, this cologne is really very nice. /
wish had brought that empty pare
goric bottle along with me; I don't
believe they'd ever miss few drops.
Pink pomatum, too. as I live and
breatbe--and "housewife' all fitted
up with needles and spools Of thread.
My goodness me, if it isn't lined with
the very brocaded silk that belonged
to my graudmother's wedding dress.
I always thought that pattern came
short when measured it to make a
silk.quilted skirt! / do bslieus Elfrida
took it to make thus piece OF folly and
nonsense with"
Miss Whistleton elevated her eyes
and hands with pious horror.