Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-02-07
RG ALIEGANY COUNTY, MARYLAND SATURDAY, FEBRU AIRY

thank you, Miss O'Flaherty," answered
Willie, land. nothing will appease us
but music"
So Louise sang. Willie sat by and
drank in every word. Charlie turned
the music for her. as she sang some of
the pieces, and, at her request added a
base to some of the chorusses.
Willie grew uncomfortable as he heard
how beautiful their voices mingled in
the songs, and, coming over to me by
the window, said coniidentially
Why on earth can t | sing, Flo q
SO You might help Louise ?" said !.
He colored Il little, and |, all admira
ton for Louise, exclaimed:
Isn't she splendid? perfectly fas-
cinating but don't know what to make
of it,
They were closing the piano. Louise
was a trifie flushed. Charlie invited her
on the porch for Il promenade, but she
graciously declined, and soon retired.
Next day, by tacit agreement, Louise
stood on Il different footing. Beautiful,
accomplished, educated, why. should she
not be treated as our equal? But who
was she? That was the Only thing we
were in doubt about. Something re-
strained me from asking anything con-
cerning her past life. In the.twilight,
| saw Willie ask her to take ride. She
said she would go if L went. SO it was
decided to take the double carriage, and
invite Charlie to accompany lis. What
Il delightful ride Down by the little
falls in the river we stopped, and Louise,
leaning out little from the front seat,
sang merry water song, full of ripples
and trills and cascades of melody. So
the summer passed along. One day in
September Louise received IL letter.
the first since she had been with us.
She came and told me she must leave
us.
No, no" said l, eve can never do
without you. Who says you must go?"
Fate, and my guardian" she an
swered, sadly. 6 L am sorry, for have
been very happy here
Even then | dared not ask single
question about herself Another week,
and she must go to Southing, she told
me, little town about hundred miles
distant That is something definite
at last" thought l. The boys and
Louise got along splendidly, and Inever
could imagine which one she preferred.
She seemed SO impartial and sisterly
toward them both, that no one would
imagine she had any particular feeling
for either, but tour folks" saw, with
some misgiving, that both the boys were
wonderfully attracted by the hired
girl. The last night | saw Charlie ask
Louise for one promenade in the gar
den. AS they passed into little side
arbor, | saw his arm encircle her waist.
just then Willie came up the walk look
ing quite white. Poor brother Willie !.
Late in the evening they came in. l
heard them come up the stairs, heard
Charlie pass into his room. Louise
came to my door and knocked. / arose,
and admitted her. A bright, deep color
was in her cheeks, and her eyes showed
Il new, strange feeling. l waited for
her to speak.
Flora, you can perhaps tell the
cause when | tell you l m happier to-
night than I've ever been before"
Isn't Charley?' said L.
'' Yes, she said and, since you will
not ask ms, | will volunteer to tell you
why [ am here this summer. Mr.. Far
rington, my guardian, did not agree
perfectly as to my mode of spending my
time. He objects to four hours daily
at the piano, Two or three in dress or
promenade, and the remainder in eat
ing, sleeping and reading. He told me
| was good for nothing, and that he would
never let me travel (that was the chief
desire of my life) until knew all about
housekeeping. | asked permission to
have six months time to go anywhere |
pleased within one hundred miles, with
one hundred dollars in my pocket, and
he to make no inquiries concerning me.
He finally gave permission. / went to
the house of an old schoolmate, and
learned to do housewook, and one day,
seeing Your advertisement, took wild
notion to answer, and you know the
rest. Mr.. Harrington ferrcted me ont,
or / should not be leaving tomorrow,
Just as the threshers are upon you."
Long, long we talked that night of the
past, present, and the brightly dawning
future. Next day Mr.. Harrington came,
and We persuaded him to let Louise
stay, and he married here at Christmas.
So we got Ellen to come back and be
bossed," while Louise and held high
carnival among the dry goods, Dear
little Belle Raymond came and hel ped
us, and Willie seemed to find her won
derfully attractive. The wedding oc-
Cured at Christmas, and Charley took
our " hired girl away to New York,
and I've not seen her since.
Willie and Belle are behaving splen-
didly. | don't know what will come of
it; but Belle is dear, sweet girl, if
Will is my only brother.