Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-12-18
elder sister was the simplicity of Franks

elder sister was the simplicity of Franks
toilets.
81 do wish, my dear Frances that you
would make yourself look little more
stylish. These young eollegians are not
used to see ladies dressed like kitchen
girls"
But Frank declared that-half the
pleasure of living in the country was
the privileg ofdispensing with style,and
persisted in wearing calico dresses and
white aprons.
don't think Arabella had the least
inclination to try matchmaking or any
thing of the sort, she was simply anx-
ious to have her three girls make good
impression; but her anxiety was OPP
presive, and /, as well as Frank, often
rebelled. Mr.. Strong, l was sure, was
too sensible to like any of us better in
silk dresses and paniers than in plain
calico. So followed Franks example,
and certainly the sight of the calico did
not seem to disturb him in the least. l
don't know what we should have done
without him that simmer. 1t was lone
ly enough at times, as it was, for our
new neighbors were so scattered that we
saw but little of them,and even our city
friends seldom came for more than a
days stay so the young mans visits
were doubly welcome. In addition to
being an entertaining talker he was
fine singer, and was always ready to
join us in song; he brought the new
est books and revived our love of bota-
ny by constant contribution of wild
flowers, and regularly oil Sunday eve
ming he escorted us all to church.
So the summer waned and autumn
came, and we began to fear that our
pleasant friend We uld soon be leaving us
for college. Once or twice we had ap-
preached the subject, but he seemed in
clined to be little reserved about it, so
we let it drop.
81 don't see why he has to 60 at ALL"
said Grace, she knows enough now l
think"
"He is certainly very intelligent for a
man of his age" said Arabella, "but of
course he wants to finish his studies. l
wonder what he intends to be. 1t is
strange that he does not tell us more in
regard to himself and his plans"
"Maybe Frank can tell U.S." said Gra-
Gle archly.
A curious little smile was playing
about Franks mouth.
"He left college year ago and is ex-
pecting soon to take a partner and go in
to business, believe" she said demure-
ly.
Arabella looked up in surprise. "Why
l thought his uncle spoke as if he were
still student"
ssThere was some mistake about that
1 think, 'said Frank. "The farmer was
speaking of his nephew, Ralph Hill mot
Ralph Strong"
"And who is Ralph Strong, then, ,''ask-
ed Arabella in amazement.
"Ralph Strong is farmer Hills hired
man, ''said Frank just as if the fact were
something to be proud of.
'What!' cried Arabella sharply.
"He is farmer Hills hired man," re-
peated Frank.
"The impudent puppy?" exclaimed
Arabella completely thrown off her dig
nifty by this rather startling announce
ment.
"Would'nt base imposter' be a more
appropriate term?" suggested Frank,
tormentingly.
"He certainly cannot expect us to re-
ceiye him any longer as guest" Ara
bella went on, Ignoring the amend
ment.
We might possibly receive him as one
of the family, though" said Frank,
turning to the window to hide her blush
es.
A dim perception of the truth began
to dawn on Arabella.
at is not possible that he has had the
assurance to ask you to marry him ?''
she said freezingly. - n
"Why not? He loves me and 1 love
him." said Frank.
This was little too much. No words
could adequately express our consterna-
ton, and we all three sat and gazed at |
her in silence.
"It's just too badr' sighed Grace at
last, with tears in our eyes. It's going |
to spoil all our nice time"
sit is very pleasant mistake from
beginning TO end,' said Arabella,with an
effort to compose herself; But it proves |
exclusively that Ralph Strong, what
ever he may be, is no gentleman any
way"
"You are wrong there" said Frank,
with eyes flashing; and then like the
true woman she is, she bravely took up
the absent ones defence. 1t seems that
the nephew Ralph Hill, whom the farm
er went to call on on that memorable
evening, was absent at the time. So
Ralph Strong was sent in his place. Ac-
cepting our cordial invitation to visit us
without the least suspician that we were
taking him for other than he was, he had
come and gone week after week, in bless
full ignorance. until one evening, while
confiding to Frank some bits of person.
al history, he CHANGED to discover the
mistake we were making, land was eager |
at once to explain; but Frank, partly |
for fear an explanationn would put an
end to his coming, had begged him to
keep quiet for while. $50 the fault is |
all mine." she said Sand now you may
call him what you like-farmer Hin's
nephew, or farmer Hills hired man-to
me he is, and has been from the first,
simply Ralph Strong,the truest and best
man have ever known"
And all Arabella's arguments failed to
convience her that ploughing and reap
ing for farmer Hill had in any way les
sened his manhood, or that in marrying
u farmer she would be booming herself
to life of daily drudgery. So there
was nothing more to be said. She was
of age, and had perfect right to do as
she pleased-but it seemed so odd that !