Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23

L shall accompany you !'' CThe
pretty face became clouded and over
cast once more). Where are you 60
ing 2"
"To the woods beyond the glen,
mamma. Charley is going to get some
wood sorrel for my herbarium." "
"Nor will the expedition be unprofit-
able to me, said Mrs. Dewsford, grave
ly. "There are many choice varieties
of adiantum and asplenium to be found
in those woods, and my collection of ma
tive ferns is as yet incomplete
And Lizzy went away in great con-
sternation-not to read reports, nor to
study paleontology, but to slip out in
the garden, whore great rose-tree car
peted the velvet grass with showers of
soft pink petals at every passing breath
of air, and where Charley Everett was
busted in cutting out sticks for carna-
tions.
"Oh, Charley--Charley 1 am so
miserable !"
'' Llzzy, what Is the matter r.
He dropped knife, sticks, and all, in
dismay at her woeful countenance and
Lizzy told him to the best of her ability
what " the matter " was.
&C. Is that all ?" he asked, quietly,
when the recital was concluded.
"Is that all 2" she reioined, piteously.
"When we we're going to have such a
nice drive all by ourselves, and then
come home by moonlight, and -
"Don't fret, cara mjaj it will be all
right SO she won't consent to our
marriage, eh 2"
"She says. most positively that she
will not"
"What shall we do, Lizzy? Shall we
elope quietly?" .- ....
ooh, Charley, you know L would
never marry without her consent !"
"And are two lives to be made miser-
able just because she thinks matrimony
a mistake p he asked, gravely.
"I suppose SO, Charley" .... ..
Lizzy Dewsford's pretty head dropped
like a rose in the rain. Charley watched
her quivering lip and tear-wet eyelashes,
and said no more.
Mrs. DewsfOrd was ready, with pre-
posterous green umbrella to keep off
the sun, tin case to put ferns in, and
an extra pair of boots, in the event of
swampy walking, when Mr.. Everett's
little. light phaeton drove up to the
door. The springs creaked ominously
as she stepped in and Lizzy, meekly
following, was nearly overwhelmed by
her mothers voluminous draperies.
"I had better sit in the middle-it
preserves the equilibrium of the vehicle
BETTER" said Mrs. Dewsford, wedging
herself in between Lizzy and Mr.. Ever
ett with smile of great complacency.
And she Immediately began discours-
ing on the properties and habits of the
fern, with unpausing volubility, while
Lizzy, perched on the extreme outer
edge of the seat, had all she could do to
keep in the vehicle, and Mr.. Everett S
eyes were in extreme danger with the
points of the green umbrella, which
veered to and fro like ship in a
storm, as Mrs. Dewsford's tale waxed in
interest.
Suddenly she checked herself, as her
eye caught cluster of green waving
vegetation on the crest-like point of q
rock which overhung the road.
"Charles Charles !" she cried,
"stop minute ! Can't you reach that
asplenium ebenum?"
els this it, ma'am ?" said Mr.. Ever
ett, making dive at tall stalk Of
something.
"No, no not that-the little greer
thing with the black stem ''
"This, ma'am?" hazarded Charley
clutching at fat-leavod cluster of weed,
growth.
"Oh, dear, dear Charles, how stupid
you are % sighed Mrs. Dewsford. "Il
jump out and get it myselfw
Mamma p demonstrated Lizzy.
ooh, I'll help her % nodded Charley
springing nimbly on the cliff, and pull
ing Mrs. Dewsford by main force III
the steep side of the rock. Here vol
are, ma'am !'
! eyes, " painted Mrs. Dewsford "bu
} but it was very steep. J really thinl
women should devote more attention t.
gymnastics. Oh, here's the aspleniun
very choice specimens, too. Charles
where are you going?"
For Mr.. Everett had sprung back int
the pheton.
"Only for little turn, ma'am, Will
: you are collecting your botanical trea
. sures."
eyes, but, Charles -
a.! Mrs. Dewsford's words of remon
Q STRANGE were drowned in the rattle of th
G wheels, as Mr.. Everett drove briskl
: away, with Lizzy Nesting up to his side
t One long, lingering glance she gay
after the departing pair, and then re
turned to her tin case and umbrella.
= "They'll be back presently" she said
But the afternoon sunlight faded O.
g from the cliff, and the red orb of da
/ sank maiestically down behind the evel
green glens that bounded the wester
. horizon, and Mrs. Dewsford grew tiret
: and cross, and rheumatic, and still
Q like the character of romance, "the
came not"
:, "Something has happened !" cried til
:, prophetic soul of Mrs Dewsford "]