The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-23
PEARLS AND BLACKBERRIEs.


looked at Harry Clifford.
He might have found worse looking in-
dividual to fix his regards upon than this
young nj. NJ, who had taken his first les
sons i'll bones, muscles and human anato-
to, in the little office across the hall, and
was just preparing to hang up single of
his own for Harry Clifford was tall and
shapely, with red-brown hair and huge
auburn moustache, and merry eyes that
laughed like springs of water in the sun
shine.
DIR. Darling took off his spectaces,
folded them in their case, and without taxi
ing his eyes from his neophyte: Harry
Clifford smiled but he looked little eni-
barrasssd Notwithstanding.
''She would have you in a minute, if you
would only PROPOSE" pursued DR.. Darl-
ing, dropping great read-hot splashes of
sealing wax over sheet of blotting paper
and stamping them with monogram seal
in an aimless sort Of way.
"Yes, but | tell you, sir, don't want to
propose" said Harry, staring at the inter-
twined D. j. DPS as if they were the most
interesting things in the world.
"You don't want pretty girl for
wife ?"
SHOT that pretty girl in particular, doc
tosls ao.. ~, - .,.,. o., 49,,
the doctor, pronouncing the three words
in manner that sounded very weighty, in
DECD. =. CO..
dollars in itself, sir; but as mere append
age to Miss Bradbury"
I11,n H., =, 4
DR.. Darling. swell, well, the Scotch pro-
verb has it, "a wilfu' man maun haze his
way and shall not interfere any further.
BY the way, Harry"
eyes, sir"
'You are going to the city this after
noon ?n
"That is my present intention, SIR"
"Stop at Depierre's, will you, and leave
fought to have done it u week ago; but a
man can't think of everything"
" Certainly, doctor" and Harry Clifford
toned ornament of gold, set with tiny seed
pearls-in his waistcoat pocket.
" Rather careless way to carry jewelry,
young mani" said DIR. Darling, elevating
his eyebrows.
L
Harry, in an off-handed sort Of way.
The morning sun was casting bright flick
ering threads of gold across the kitchen
floor; the morning glories and Madeira
vines, trained across the easement, stirred
softly to the mid-July air; and Ursula
Percy, Mrs. Darling's orphan niece, was
busy doing up" blackberries.
Fresh as a rose, with hazel eyes, softened
20, ,,,ta Oh do,
Of their lashes, and smiling scarlet lips, she
stood there-her calico dress concealed by
the house-wifely apron of white dimity that
was tied around her waist, and her black
curls tucked remorselessly behind her ears
Looking demurely into the bubbling
depths of the preserving-kettle, like beau
tiful parody on one of the witches of 'sMac-
beth - while on the Whitley -scoured pine
table beyond glittering tin vessel was up
heaped with beautiful Jet black fruit, each
flashing like the eye of an oriental belle.
"Ursula !o'
The pretty young girl started, very
nearly dropping her skinner in the pre-
serving kettle.
''IIow you startled me, Harry !"
Harry advanced into the kitchen, with
an admiring look at the bright little blush
and good deal Of stove heat.
"You are always at work, Ursula"
81 have got to work, Harry, to earn my
own living" Ursula Percy answered with
slight uplifting of her exquisite blact
brows: II am not an heiress like Miss
Bradbury"
''Confound Miss Bradbury" exclaimed
our hero. 81 hear nothing but Miss Brad
bury the whole time"
no lc Ind
Harry" said Ursula, in mildly approving
accents.
81 dare say; but what lot of black
berries you have here, to be sure, Ursula ?''
"Only forty quarts,o said Ursula, de-
murely. "Aunt Darling always enjoys
them SO much in winter"
Harry put honey-sweet globule of
fruit into his mouth.
"Blackberries are beautiful fruit, Ur-
sula?"
''Very )" and Miss Percy SKINNED dill
gently away at the bubbling cauldron.
Especially when you are doing them
up" added the young M. d., with rather
clumsy effort at compliment.
Ursula did not answer. Harry walked
up to the range and took both her hands in
his.
Harry, don't The berries will burn"
''Let them burn then who cares ?"
''But what do you want 2" she asked,
struggling impotently to escape, and laugh
ing in spite of the grave look she fain would
have assumed.
$40 see your eyes, Ursula"
She lifted the soft hazel orbs to his face,
then Withdrew them with sudden shyness.
''Do you know what answer | read il
those eyes, dearest?" he whispered, after
moment or two of silence, broken only
by the kissing and simmering Of the boil.
ing blackberries.
mo"
81 read 'yesp"
''Oh, Harry, | dare not. Uncle and
aunt are so determined you shall marry
Miss Bradbury"
Sand | am so determined not to marry
her. Is man to be given away as if HI
were house and lot, or bundle of ole
clothes, I should like to know? Ur
sula-"
Harry, they are burningl | am sure
of it. can smell them. Do let go my
hands !"
Harry Clifford then deity seized BIZ
iron spoon, and stirred the boiling depths
vigorously.
''It's all your imagination, Ursula"
'No, it's not and if they are the leas
bit scorched they will be spoiled for Am