The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-09-10
AMOS HILLARY'S MISTAKE.

Ruth, child, thee may as well gel
ready. Amos will be here directly" saiG
Friend Miller, and as Ruth ran gayly
out Of the room, she added, "Mind thai
thee wraps up carefully. 1t is very
cold"
Friend Elias Miller was well-to-dc
farmer in Hillsdale. Left an orphan al
an early age, he came into possession OF
the ancestral acres and the comfortable
old homestead that had been in the
family for generations. He had married
early, and in his wife had priceless
treasure. Many children had been born
to them but only one survived, Ruth
their dainty little darling, who tyrannized
over them in loving little way that her
fond father thought perfection.
Possessing frank, sweet nature, cul-
tivated mind, and unusual beauty, what
wonder was it that she was the idol of
her own home, and the admiration of a
large circle of friends.
Meantime Amos Hillary had arrived
in his sleigh, and soon Ruth came trip
ping in. Her dress of drab merino fell
in graceful folds about her person. Old
lace shaded the dainty whitethroat, and
half covered the shapely hands. A knot
of pale blue ribbon, in place of broach,
harmonized we'll with the otherwise
plain dress. Then the big shawl was
drawn close around the sloping shoulders,
the little white head gear was tied over
the brown curls, and, with merry good
byes, Amos and she took their seats in the
sleigh, and Zeb was put to his speed.
In little while the spec slackened,
and Zeb was allowed to take it more
leisurely. There was many things to be
talked over. The quilting party at Enoch
Steele's last Fifthday. The marriage of
Henry Moore, who had married out of
meeting, and, being waited upon by some
of the old Friends, had declared that it
concerned him only, and had behaved
in such an uncivil manner they all left
in disgust. And so, chatting away, they
sped on, and soon overlook several
sleighs, filled with young folks, on their
way to the house warming.
Soon the house was reached. and they
were warmly welcomed by Nathan
Wynne and his bright little wife, Mary,
who had long been Ruth's most intimate
friend, and when she had given her hand
to Nathan, just two short months ago,
Ruth had waited on her, while Amos was
hest man to Nathan.
No wonder people gossiped, and looked
meaningly at each other. When Ruth
was seen, one might be sure Amos was
near. And though no words of love had
passed between them, yet it seemed to be
an understood thing that these two be-
longed to each other. In her heart Ruth
cherished the secret consciousness that
she was beloved At his coming, her
heart throbbed tumultuously, and tell
tale color would flush the fair face, and
the large, dark eyes grow luminous with
loves light.
And Amos loved the gentle girl, and
only waited till circumstances justified
him in offering his hand to her who had
been the dream of his boyhood, the only
love of his manhood.
Come, Ruth, I'll take thee up stairs,
the girls are in my room, making them
selves pretty, though" said the hostess,
looking at our heroine, az don't think
thee needs anything at all to enhance thy
beauty. Come right in?"
And Ruth was ushered into what had
been temporarily converted into dress
ing-room. The pure, white walls were
unadorned, the windows were draped
with snowy muslin, which fell to the floor
in soft, graceful folds. The high, old
fashioned bedstead looked like a great
snOwdrift, with its white counterpane,
curtains and ruffled linen. The floor was
covered with homemade carpet, woven
in bright stripes, and gave cherry look
to the room. Two or three huge logs in
the big fireplace snapped and sparkled
fO< IT.
fun and merriment of the things. The
polished surface of the small mirror re-
fected many blooming faces, many adj
miring glances. The girls stood laugh
ing and chatting all about the room,
shaking out their dresses, smoothing
their ribbons, and taking a last glance at
the mirror, to make sure they were all
right, and would stand the scrutiny of
numberless eyes in the lower rooms. Then
down the wide stairs they futtered like
a company Of doves, and into the best
room or parlor.
"Come, Ruth, want to introduce thee
to Alice Raynor," said the hostess, ap-
preaching our heroine. She is my
cousin, thee knows, and one of the prettiest
girls in Philadelphia tits said. She has
been promising to visit me for years, and
when she heard that / was about to be
married, wrote, saying she would pay
that long-talked-of visit, when / should
he comfortably situated in my own
house. She came last night, and / hope,
will make long stay"
Mary, let me look and admire first.
How very, very pretty she isl"
Yes, and beside her great beauty, she
has the reputation of being n sad flirt.
She told me she was heartily tired of
fashion and friyolity, and had come into
the country to be natural, and do just az
she pleased. Visiting parties, balls, and
beaux had become bore, especially the
latter and she shrugged her shoulders
significantly when she said it. / hope
she won't turn the heads Of all our rustic
beaux with y n bewitching face"
Truly Alice was pretty sight, "a she
stood In the soft light talking earnestly