The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-09-01
mn. BURvErrrs TEST.

traveller left the train at the little plat
form station at Norton, and leaving
directions about his baggage with the
baggage master, sauntered leisurely up
the dusty road. He had engaged sum-
mer board by letter, and was seeking
his destination.
"Straight ahead until you come to
itr
This was the station-master's direc-
'fion, 50 straight ahead Lucien Gaylord
proceeded. till he paused to look at
A'tableau vivsnt," framed in towering
vines. A girl. seated upon a shady
porch. shelling peas. Her broad hat
was pushed back, leaving exposed a
face purely oval, delicate featured,
creamy of complexion, with brown
eyes, and golden hair drawn simply
back in waving bands, to fall in clus-
tering curls around the slender throat.
Most unlike rustic beauty was the
high bred face, the slender white
hands, the selt-possessed pose, but yet
the dress was a quiet brown calico,
with white apron, rufiles and cuffs.
While Lucien Gaylord looked at her
she lifted her eyes and saw him. He
raised his hat, asking:
"Can you direct me to Miss
Stronger
at is here," was the answer, and
opening the gate, Lucien entered, men,
tally concluding that the silvery sweet
voice was as deliciously refined as the
face.
II am Lucien Gaylord he said, by
way Of introduction.
"My Aunt Maria's new boarder !
You had better rest upon the porch,
before call her. 1t is a tiresome,
sunny walk from the station"
Perfectly easy, with just sufficient
cordially in the tone of welcome, Luz
cien accepted the invitation, and start
ed conversation, watching the dainty
fingers Smelling peas, with touch that
was light yet firm. Miss Strong ap-
peared presently and took her new
boarder to his room, asking her niece
to carry her pan to the kitchen.
"For we will give you an early din
ner after your long walk" she said,
Hospitality busting about to bring cool
water and fresh towels. "You sent
your trunk? / will have it brought
up as soon as it comes
"May," she told her niece, che is a
gentleman, every inch Of him, and
handsome as pictured"
81 like his manner May answered,
washing her peas at the sink. "Shall
/ make custard, Auntie 7"
eff you will, dear! Oh, dear, to
think of Cynthia taking this day of all
others to act sol"
For Cynthia, the only servant, had
been detected in the act of passing
spoons from the kitchen to villainous
looking tramp, and the pair had been
handed over to the village constable.
Which accounted for the fact that May
was installed assistant cook, till such
time as Cynthia could be replaced.
"And nobody knows when that will
BE-" said Miss Strong, "for servants
at Norton ere scarcer than old gold.'
None appearing to replace the thiev-
ish Cynthia, May was often found in
the kitchen, not very efficient but will
ing, and succeeded in many culinary
triumphs simply by obeying orders.
-"Pll make a good cook of you yet,
her aunt often told her; and she
laughed merrily at the hope. But Lu.
Glen Gaylord. enjoying brief summer
holiday. often wished heartily that he
might be permitted to live on bread
and milk, if by so doing he could keep
May out of the kitchen. Whenever
she was free she found him waiting for
her; and they rested upon the porch,
or walked in shady lanes, chatting
pleasantly, gradually going beyond
surface talk. mutually interested and
pleased to find so much sympathy Of
thought and feeling, that time sped on
too swiftly when they were together.
1t puzzled Lucien often not to find
absolutely nothing of rustic awkward
ness in this lovely girl, who was self
possessed and graceful as if bred in the
highest society. She was reticent about
herself, but very frank about her du
ties as cook and assistant in the houses
Having nothing to hide, Lucien soon
unfolded his own life to her, won by
her gentle sympathy and evident inter
est. He told her of his boyhood
with a wealthy father, who died sud
denly, leaving nothing of once hand
some fortune; OF his mother who sank
soon under the pressure Of sorrow and
poverty; of his own position as clerk
in a.wholesale dry goods house, upon
a small salary.
Often he told her of the dreams his
fathers death had scattered, the hope
of being a great lawyer, or an author,
moving the world by his pen. Yet he