Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-12-16
Miscellaneous.
MARK OAKLEY'S MISTAKE.

The clear, sharp vioce of the
speaker, rather suddenly broke W
handsome Mark Oaklcy'> reverie, and
he gave an impatient start rs he
turned and .cowled at the .all, prim
lady who stood in the walnut framed
doorway like some staid Quaker i'll
her modest gray robes.
"What do YOU want now, Hester?'
Il want you,' placidly replied
Hester, who was an old maid, and
the torment and terror of her hand.
some young brothers life.
me? | wish YOU would not both
er me, Hester. | cannot see what !
can do for you?'
Mark threw himself back on the
lounge and fixed his great brown eyes
on u painting that hung above the
mantel-a painting that could not
fail to attract attention; for it was Il
picture OF Il young girl, with mild
bl3e yes and pale yellow hair, that
saone as if lightly touched with sun
shine. Her small hands were filled
with clusters of roses, and thin scar
let lips half parted in a smile that
seemed to glorify the whole face
Il think that You have stared at
that Dicture long enough" went on
Hester, followin. :he direction Of
Marks eyes.
Come up stairs and help Phillis
and | move the furniture from the
west 10 the east room"
Mark knew of old that to hear
was to obey, and with muttered
chang it, lazily proceeded to follow
He>ter up stairs.
You spinsters have the knack of
Masking work | believe. You are
cternally upsetting something; and
| AIN bored to death with your work,
work, work y
Hester paused on the upper land
ing, and looked down into the pleas
ant, non chalant face of ner Adonis>
like prother. For the greatest grief
Of practical Hester's heart was, that
Mark was constltutionally lazy, and
Il firt, as heartleSs as he Was hand
some.
Il have laborcd for you all my
life, Marx" she said sorrowfully.-
"Where is the money TO come from
to finish your studies, if | don't take
a boarder now and them"
"Oh, boarder, is it, yawned
Mark, not the least disturbed by
He,ter'S remarks "What is it this
time-man or woman ?"
~ lady" sharply replied Hester
"Mrs. Mile Gray, OF New York ."
"A widow. Why that's the origi-
nal Of the picture ia the parlor, Hes-
ter exclaimed Mark, startled out OF
his care!e>sncss at the idea OF meet
lng woman whose picture had be-
come The ideal OF al his vacation
dreams.
Hester smiled grimly, but said
nothing. But Marx, VINO never was
worth bis s;lt," lis Phiiis said, at
any physical labor, worked with 4
viii, and actually whist!ed VIXEN the
,um5rous oak furniture WAS ariang-
ii and Hester announced the room
ready for Its occupant.
Nv hat brings her to the country
his late in the season. questioned
Marx, who longed to hear something
about the expected boardcr.
But Hester vouchsatcd no reply;
md Mark went over to the window
and arranged the curtains tosuit him
,eit, thereby robbins the draperies Of
HeSter> prlmne>S.
"I'll get a bouquet, he said to
himself, rs he looked down at the
lld fashioned gar:en, where some
lac blossoms had survived the Sep
.ember froSt>.
He went down and gathered one,
arranging the pure white chrysathc-
NUNS and late pansie> SO tastefully
together that pretty Mile Gray
cried ont with delight when it caught
her eve.
"Who made i, Aunt Hester:'
she said, holding i, careSsinglv to her
white cheek. ats 50 lovely"
"lIark." iIestcr's lips closed firm
" over the word. Hes at home
from college NOW, and rs foolish is
ever"
Millie smiled, for the grave maiden
lady before her had been her moth
er's friend, and although she had
never met Mark Oakley, rhe knew