Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-12-08
81 Cannot Afford It,"

dry goods store of Lowering Il Broth
ers = to see one of the proprietors.
He has stepped out for momeni,'
one of the clerks informed him.
And, Withdrawing to an obscure cor
ner, he stood watching, with half anus.
ed, hall comlcal look upon his handsome
face, the streams of gayly attired wo-
men, that foated past him, gazing with
envious and admiring eyes, upon the rich
fabrics of every hue and texture, that
we're suspended from the ceiling and
spread out on the broad counters.
Many of them were known to him,
but he was in no mood to meet the spark
ling glances and gay sallies that he knew
would be showered upon him if he made
them aware of his presence; for Mr.. St.
John was rich and bachelor, and had
been so fattered and besieged, by ambi-
tious mammas with manageable daugh-
ters, as to make him almost resolve to
| iOLhaiA oHc Always.
So he stood back in the shadow, mark
ing, with curious eye, unconscious be-
trayals of the natural dispositions, like
| glimpses of feminine human nature,
which the dear creatures would not have
had him observe for the world
As he stood there, the two Misses Par
ker came in, charming and brilliant girls,
in whose society he had passed many a
pleasant hour.
They were lavish in their purchases.
And Mr.. st. John contrasted their smil-
ing faces with the careworn face of their
father whom he met in the street scarce
ly an hour before, hurrying from one
friend to another to borrow money to
pay note on the point of being protest
ed. Their lively chatter Jared harshly
on his ears.
"Isn't it lovely ?" exclaimed one of the
sisters, holding up some costly lace trim
ming. Il suppose pa will scold when
he sees the bill but SO it would be if it
we're only half as large"
"To be sure he would" responded the
other. "But I'm not agoing to let the
Dayton girls outshine me, you may be
certain. It's my belief that they give
the party simply on account of St. Johns
return from Europe. | suppose they are
trying to catch him for Georgiana. Did
you ever hear ofanything so ridiculous ?"
"Never Such horrid taste as the girl
has in dress, too. She showed me new
silk she is going to wear. Would you
believe it tits blue And she is as dark
as an Indian"
"That is for the benefit of Mr.. St.
John it is his favorite color. / met him
on the street, yesterday. How tall and
handsome he has grown"
"Yes; and he is so rich Pa says he
is worth half million, if not more.
Here the two girls passed along out of
sight and hearing, quite unconscious of
their proximity to the subject of their re-
marks.
"Good Heavens !" was Mr.. st. Johns
inward reflection "are all women so
heartless, so wrapt in vanity and dis
play ?"
He was about to quit the store in dis
gust, when his attention was arrested by
low and gentle voice, which aroused a
host of vague but pleasant recollections.
He turned eagerly in the direction from
whence it proceeded; and, as his eye
rested upon slender, neatly attired
young lady, they lighted up with pleas.
ure.
A woman would have noticed that the
bonnet, though neat and fresh, was not
of the latest style, and the mantle last
seasons fashion; but men rarely notice
such things. All that St. John saw was
the graceful form and the fair and gentle
face of the wearer.
''Sweet Rose Lennox y he thought
" She looks as fragrant and lovely as her
name Can her fresh and guileless ma
ture be SO perverted as to care for moth
ing but outward show ?"
In the meantime, Rose had made
few simple purchases, quite unconscious
of the eyes that were following her every
look and motion.
is that all, Miss Lennox ~ said the
clerk.
"All to-day"
If you were thinking of getting a |
dress, l think l can show you something
that will suit you"
I" As can't purchase, will not troub-
lie you," was the reply.
No trouble at all, miss said the
clerk, unrolling the goods, and spreading
it on the counter.
1t was heavy, lustrous silk, brown
with CLINT of gold in it, not unlike the
color of the soft hair that shaded her
forehead.
1t caught the eyes of the Parker girls,