Ellsworth American., 1874-02-19

I
matters of business. and Grace and
were constantly asking his advice
about gardening, while Frank, who
had set her heart on raising brood
of chickens, held animated conferences
with him as to the best ways of pro.
noting the health and happiness of
her feathered pets at least when the
two sat for half an hour at a time on
the back porch in the twilight watch.
ing the little creatures nesting under
the mothers wings; it was naturally
to be supposed that they formed the
chief subject of discussion.
"lt is hardly polite TO trouble Mr..
Strong so much shout those chickens,
Frances" Arabella wo uld say. "a
college man like him is not supposed
TO tie very familiar with the raising of
poultry"
"Then it is high time he turned his
attention TO it, said Frank. with mis-.
chi ef lurking in her eyes.
Another case of annoyance TO our
elder sister was the simplicity of
Franks toilets.
Il do wish, my dear Frances, that
YOU would make yourself look little
more stylish. These young collegians
are not accustomed TO seeing ladies'
dressed like kitchen girls"
But Frank declared that half the
pleasure of living in the country was
the privilege of dispensing with style,
and persisted in wearing calico dresses
and white aprons.
| don't think Arabclla had the least
incllnation TO try matchmaking, or
anything of the sort, she was simply
anxious TO have her three girls max. a
good impression but her anxiety was
oppressive, and |, as we'll as Frank. oc-
casionally rebelled. Mr.. Strong,
was sure, was too sensible TO like US
any better in silk dresses and pauniers
than in plain calico. SO | followed
Franks example, and certainly the
sight of the calico did not seem to dis
turbe him in the least. don't know
what we should have done without
him that summer. Ii Was lonely
enough at times as II was, for our few
nelghbOrS were SO scattered that We
saw but little of them ami even our
city friends seldom came for more than
Il days stay, so the young mans visits
were doubly welcome. In addition TO
being an entertaining talker he was 4
fine singer, and was always ready to
join Ms in n song he brought the new
est books and revived our love of bot
any by constant contributions of wild
flowers, and regularly on SUNDAY he
escorted us all TO church.
SO the summer waned and autumn
came, and we began to fear that our
pleasant friend would soon be leaving
US for college. Once or twice We had
hroached the subject, but he seemed
inclined to be little reserved about
it, and we let it drop.
Il don't see why he has to 90 at ali.
said Grace, ''hc knows enough now.
"Iic is certainly very intelligent for
4 man OF his age said Arabella. "but
of course lie wants 10 finish his studies.
| wonder what he intends To he. 1t is
strange that he does not tell us more
in regard TO himself and his plans
May be Frank can tell Us, said
Oracle archlv.
\ curious little smile was playing
about Franks mouth
"lIe left college q year ago and is
expecting soon 10 take partner and
begin business, believe" she sald,
demurely.
Arabella looked up in surprise.
"Why, thought his uncle spoke as
If he We're still 4 student.
There was some mistake about that
| think" said Frank. The farmer was
speaking Of his nephew, Ralph llllI,
not of Ralph Strong.
And who is Ralph Strong them
asked Arabella in amazement.
Ralph Strong is farmer Hills hired
man." said Frank, just as ii the fact
were something 10 be proud of.
What - cried Arabella, sharply.
ale is farmer Hills hired man re-
peated Frank.
The impudent puppy exclaimed
Arabella, completely thrown oii her
dignity by this rather startling an
Douncement.
Wouldn't base imposter' be u more
appropriate term" suggested Frank,
tormentlnglv.
He certainly cannot expect us TO
( receive him any longer rs guest
Arabella went on, ignoring the amend
/ meut.
! I'VE might possibly receive him as
one of the family, though" said Frank,
turning to the window to hide her
! bushes.
A dim perception OF the truth be-
gan to dawn on Arabella.
''It is not possible that he has had
the assurance to ask you to marry
him!" she said freezingy.
why not? He loves me and l love
him." said Frank bravely.
This was little too much. No words
could adequately express our conster-
nation, and we all three sat and gazed
at her in silence.
sit is just too bad!" sighed Grace,
at last, with tears in her eyes. "Its
going to spoil all our nice times"
sit is a very unpleasant mistake
from beginning to end" said Arabella
with an effort to compose herself; "bul
it proves conclusively that Ralph
Strong, whatever else he may be, is nc
gentleman"
"You are wrong there !" cried Frank,
with flashing eyes; 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 farmer went to call on thai
memorable evening. was absent at the
time. So Ralph Strong was sent in
his place. Accepting our cordial in
vitatiOn TO visit US, without the leas,
suspicion that we were taking him fo
other than he was, he had come anc
| gone week after week in hlissful iUno