The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-10-10
Selfftn Stnrv,' :,
The Merchants Fest.

The day was yet Young when a trav
eler deft thegtrain at the little, station at
Norton and, leaving directions about his
baggage with the 1station-master, saun,
tered leisurely DIP the dusty road. He
had engaged summer lodgings by letter
aud was seeking his destination. XII. p
o"Straight ahead till you come to it;
This was the station-master's direc
ton, so straight ahead Lucien Gaylord
proceeded till he paused to look at a tab
leau virant, framed in Towering vines,
A girl seated upona shady porch, shell
ing peas. Her broad hat was pushed
back, leaving exposed face purely val,
delicate-featured, creamy of complexion,
with brown eyes and golden hair drawn
simply back In waving bands, to fall in
clustering cufls tareund the slender
throat. Most unlike rustic beauty were
the high-bred face, the slender, white
hands the self,possessed pose; but yet
tine dress was a. quiet brown calico, with
white apron, rpff1e and cuffs. Ia ss
While Lueien Gaylord looked at her,
she, raised her eyes and saw him. g,ii
He raised bis, hat, asking: nj 4ejsr.a
\ Scan you direct me to Miss Strong's p
SIT is here" was the answer. sfsn1lia
And, opening, the gate, Lucien enter.
ed, mentally concluding that the silvery
sweet voice was as deliciously refined as
the face.i 2 sz1nd31 Ik Il 1879 ~ z
al am Lucien Gaylord" he said, by
way Of introduction. as ifgi9 ieii Tse
ohMy Aunt Mutia' s'n new lodger. You
had better rest in the porch before / call
her. It's tiresome, sunny walk from
the station" 19i'fq ii7snH &IHt.'. !.
Perfectly easy,i with just sufficient cor
diality inzthe tone for welcome, Lucien
accepted the invitation and started a
conversation, watching the dainty fingers
shelling peas with touch thatwas light
vet firm. s9YeH hgc S'rr.- H39v jsgi ia.
Miss Strong appeared presently aud
took her new lodger to his room, asking
her niece to carry her pan to the kitch-
en-" IN triz 9sa3 ST. 30 vo,
'For we will give you an early dinner
after your long walk" she said hospita
bly,. busting about to bring cool water
and fresh towels. faai GaN :, mf3ly-
"You sentyour trunk III will have
it brought upsas soon as it eomesDdh
h"May, ,"tlshestold her niece, She is a
gentleman, every inch of him, and hand,
some as apicture."5a attfaoRn9g ss u0g
ss"I like his manner,"c May answered.
washing her peas at the sink. "Shall i
make custard, auntie2" sg5i1e
of you will, dear. Oh dear to think
of Cynthia taking this day of all Others
to act so.n M - tllglk sf.
For Cynthia,the orly servant, had been
detected in the act of passing spoons
from the kitchen window to yillainous
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.
Sand nobody knows when that viii
be- said Miss Strong, s''for servants a
Norton are scarcer than old gold." ::
None appearing to replace the thieyisE
Cynthia,i May was often found in th'
kitcheny notvery efficient, but willing
and succeeding ir many culinary tri
umphs simply by obeying orders
'.I'li make a good cook Of you yet,
her aunt often told her, and she laughed
merrily at tbe woIdsa 3d smez a,!
But Luoien Gaylord, enjoying a. brie
summer holiday often wished hearth.
that he might be permitted to live upol
bread andsmilk, if by so doing he coph
keep May out of the kitchen. aosa4 b, q
Whenever sheawas free she found hin
waiting for her, and they sat in tn
porch, or walked in shady lanes. .chattin.
pleasantly, gradually going beyond sur
face talk, mutually interested and pleas
ed to find SO much sympathy Of though
and feeling that time sped only too swift
ly when they we're together. -. - ...'-.
1t puzzled Lucieni often to find abso
|lutely nothing Of rustic awkwardness i
this lovely girl, who was elf-possesse,
and graceful as if bred in the highest So
ciety. ,;n..il a, a.,'..,
She was, reticent about herself bu
very frank about her, duties as cook an
assistant in the house. 20