The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-07-04
CLARA MARCHANT,S ROSES.

around from the open window of her
pretty sittingroom to greet gentleman
who was entering the door, "See my
poor roses are all flying right and left!''
II beg your pardon; let ME help you, :"
said Mr.. Hunt, STOPPING to collect the
lovely blossoms of a climbing rose which
had just been gathered. ).
"But they are all going up town to
Lady Merriman's," explained Miss Mar
chant, to deck her rooms for the ball.
Oh, dear, should like to 60 with them.
No, l should not! Stupid things balls
are and yet, Mr.. Hunt, let me tell you
in confidence, l feel terribly dull down
here"
Strange words to come from the lips of
Miss Clara Marchant, the rich stockhold-
er's daughter and sole heiress of the
beautiful house and grounds called Bar
ton Towers, which had lately been pur-
chased by Mi. ~Marchant.. Strange, but
true; she was duh. The routine to which
she had been accustomed for the last five
years of ball and party, dinner and drive,
had been disturbed by the move from
London to the country, which had been
rendered necessary by her fathers fail
ing health.
you tell us in the pulpit not to be dis
contented with our lives, but to make the
ought to do. have lived q quarter of a
century, and yet l have not found out
for myself: have only one duty-look-
ing after my father; but most part of the
day he prefers his valet to me, so have
a great deal Of time in which to make
myself unhappy"
Miss Marchant spoke lightly, but there
was an air of truth about her words and
Mr.. Hunt, the good clergyman, felt sorry
for her.
can't teacl,-children worry me;
don't like dirty houses, and never gave
away tract in my life," continued Miss
Marchant; $50 don't ask me to do any
those things"
"Let me help you to put up those
flowers" said Mr.. Hunt; and for a few
minutes the two were busy laying
the beautiful roses in soft beds of cotton
wool.
"Pity they should wither in Lady Mer-
riman's hot rooms!' said Clara Mar
chant. "But, after all, it is better than
to leave them nodding their heads off in
my garden, with no one to smell them or
admire them"
II quite agree with you," said Mr..
Hunt, laughing. "And now may have
one for my pains?"
Ard! Ard hs 3. fsGas ;se; T. lovely near1y-b1own
"Oh, yes, but not that; it is too widely
opened for your button-holc. Here is q
little beaut y-take this" said Miss Mar
chant
Il hold to my first choice" said Mr..
Hunt; 1T is not for my button-hole, but
for one of my sick people,"
"Oh, sick!" said Clara Marchant, con-
sidering. by the way, suppose in the
country they expect certain amount of
soup and kitchen physic from the great
house, don't they? Well, you must tell
me, and l will speak. to, the house
keeper. I am new to the work." she
added, smiling.
"You are very kind" said Mr.. Hunt
will come to you when such things are
needed. We're you going out? Twas 60
strawberries to the lower woods; it will
save me half, a. mile.'"
II will come with you!" said Miss Mar
chant
And the two set out on their walk.
Mr. Hunt stopped at last at tiny
house by the roadside, outside the
grounds.
".Here 60 in," he said. '"Good-by."
mo; you promised to come back and
advise me about the ferneries," said Miss
Marchant; T will sit on this low wall and
wait for you. suppose you have some
sick. old woman there?" +
MI. Hunt smiled and; left 5her: When
he carne os1t of the ~cottag gez he was &C,
companied by young man quite young
but DlteOuS to look uI)On since he bore in
his face the sure sign of coming death;
1t might be near, it might be far, but it
Miss Marehant will excuse my asking
favor for yoh," said Mr. Hunt, looking
from one to the other; " but it would be q
great thing for my friend, Mr.. Lawrence,
to have permission to rest in your shrub
berries this hot weather; he has to thank
~" "oH, 5H no, no; said said Miss Marehant, hastily;
"thatIiA hething. And, please, whenever
Gould you get sd far ~.
The young man smiled and thanked her
he feared he was but a poor walker, but
liberty to. enter her grounds would be q
He spoke 50 we'll that Clara turned tc
Mr.. Hunt, as they parted, to ask his his
SJust . poor clerk ont of M[illdeeld' dy
!: ing Of coqsumptiQp,"' said the clergyman
%.Wehavi many spuaA 1frs;;l thh air il
considered good, and they send them ou1
to ils-genefally to die, though" =.
Gould not do something for him!'