Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-12-07
81 CAN NOT AFFORD IT. T.

Enter thou into the joys
| or thine eternal home.' t- --
81 CAN NOT AFFORD II" "
Mr.. st. John entered the fashion
able dry goods store of Lowering
l. Brothers to see one of the pro-
prietors. @ -..l, ---
"He has stepped out for Is mo-
ment," one of the clerks informed
him. .-f - -a
And Withdrawing to an obscure
corner, he stood watching, with a
half amused, half comical look up
on his handsome face, the streams of
gaily attired women that foated past
him, gazing with anxious and ad-
miring eyes upon the rich fabrics,
of every hue and texture, that were
suspended from the ceiling and
spread out on the broad counter.
So he stood back in the shadow
marking with curious eyes uncon-
scious of betrayal of the natural dis
positions, like glimpses of feminine
human nature, and (which the dear
creatures would not have him OBJ
serve for the world. slt s
AS he stood there the two Misses
Parker came in, charming, brilliant
girls, in whose society he had pass
ed many a pleasant hour.
They were lavish in their pur-
chases and Mr.. st. John contrasted
their smiling faces with the care
worn face of their father, whom he
met in the streets scarcely an hour
before, hurrying from one friend to
another to borrow money to pay a
note on the point of being protested.
Their lively talk Jared harshly on
his ears.
"Isn't it lovelyp' exclaimed one
of the sisters, holding up some cost
ly lace trimmings. 1 suppose pa
will scold when he sees the bill; but
so he would if it were only half as
large"
"To be sure he would" responded
the other. "And I'm not going 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. l suppose they are trying
to catch him for Georgiana. Did
you ever hear anything SO ridicu-
lousp'
"Never! such horrid taste as the
girl has in dress, too! She showed
me the new silk she is going to
wear. Would you believe it? It is
blue! And she is as dark as an In
dian"
"That is for the benefit of Mr..
st. John; it is his favorite color. 1
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 a million, if not
more"
Here the two girls passed along
out of sight and hearing, quit un-
conscious of their close proximity
to the subject of their remarks.
"Good heavensT was Mr.. St.
Johns inward reflection; "are all
women 80 heartless, so wrapped in
vanity and display?
He was about to quit the store in
disgust when his attention was ar
rested by low and gentle voice,
which aroused host of vague but
pleasant recollections.
Returned eagerly in the direction
whence it proceeded, and as his eyes
rested upon slender, neatly attired
lady, they lighted up with pleasure.
A woman would have noticed that
the bonnet, though neat and fresh,
was not of the latest style, and the
mantle of last seasons fashion; but
men but rarely observe such things.
All that St. John saw was the grace
full form, the fair and gentle face of
the wearer.
"Sweet Rose Lennox" he thought,
"she looks as fair and fragrant as
her name. Can her fresh and guile
less nature be so perverted as to
care for nothing but outward
showT'
In the meantime Rose made q few
simple purchases, quite unconscious
of the eyes that were following her
every look and motion.
"Is that all, Miss LennoxW
asked the clerk.
Gall to-day"
eff you were thinking of getting
a dress, l can show you something
that would suit YOU"
GAS cannot purchase, / will not
trouble you," was the low and quiet
reply.
"No trouble at all, Miss" said
the clerk, unrolling the goods and
spreading 1t out upon the counter.
1t was a 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, who were passing, and they
gathered eagerly around it.
ats just the sweetest thing l ever
saww exclaimed the Oldest, enthu-
siastically.
"Why don't you get it, Rose?-
You have nothing for the party next
Thursday, and it's just what you
want"
"Only four dollars yard" sug-
gested the clerk, gathering up the
silk in heavy folds, so as to display
its lustre and beauty.
There was not the slightest touch
of envy or regret in the soft blue
eyes that rested admiringly upon it.
at is very pretty and quite rea-