Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-11-17
nRELLE,S REAH.N

towns, set back from the village street
among spacious grounds that stretched
to the rivera house that would have
delighted an artist, with the broad drive
before it shaded with the yellowing elms,
its piazzas overhung with Virginia creep
er- and scarlet woodbine, and the gay
ghmpses of garden on the right. The
haze and color Of superb September
afternoon were over everything. Two
girls, evidently just from school, stood
at the gate, one within, the other leaning
on the fence to gossip.
"What is she going to weary" the
latter was asking, with deep interest.
"White silk and pink trimmings"
"Won't she look lovely What shall
you wear yourself?"
"IP Belle says sha'nt come in the
rooms at all. She says I'm only child
l always have to stay off in the nursery
with David evenings when there's com
pany. l did think / might come in to
her birthday party, though" and the
speakers lip quivered, and tears stood in
her eyes.
"And she won't let you'll What a
shamel Why, you're sixteen years old,
though you don't look it. If was you,
Pd-Oh, see, Christyr' she finished in a
hurried whisper as a horseman galloped
out of the sun-lit vistas of the road and
passed them" there's Charlton Ross,
your sisters beauw
Christy looked up in time to catch the
momentary glance of a pair of dark
eyes.
"Why didn't you bow?"
Christy did not answer for moment.
She was watching the gray horse, and
noting the careless grace of the rider as
he wheeled and dashed through the stone
gateway of the Ross mansion.
"Don't you know him?"
"Only just by sight. When he comes
to our house l never see him. But some
times see him in his grounds. They
join ours, you know"
Her companions eyes followed hers to
where, at little distance, cluster of
gray stone ohimneys rose high under an
cient elms.
'Is your sister going to marry him2'
"I don't know. l don't suppose he's
ever asked her. Why?"
ooh, l should think she would if he
did, that's all. He's ever so handsome
and rich, heard Honoria say"
I" must go, Kate; there's Belle calling
me now," and, with hurried good-by,
Christy ran up the walk, rushed into the
hall, and tossed her books on the table.
A voice from the top of the stairs, rather
incisive than sweet, stayed her progress.
"Bring those books straight up to the
nursery; and attend to me, Christy.
You're to show the ladies their dressing
room tonight. Maria IL be busy in the
kitchen, and therell be no one but you
to do it. You can just stand here at the
head of the stairs and show them which
way to go, you know. Your white mus
lin dress will do to wear; and mamma
says it's all ready; and afterward-"
"OBelle, mayn't 1 come downstairs
and see the dancing afterwards"
" The pretty blonde at the head of the
stairs tossed back her half-braided hair
with gesture of vexation.
"You are the greatest babyW
"But it's your party, Belle, right in
the house, and do so love dancing, if
it's only to look on. And I'm sixteen
years old, and Kate Clapham-"
"Oh, don't quote Kate Clapham, and
don't bother me. Wait till it's time for
you to go to parties"
"Why, Belle" said voice from one
of the chambers, good-humoredly, "do
let the child come down. She won't be
in the way, and her dress looks very we'll.
Maria can curl her hair"
GAS if she could help being in the
way!" muttered Belle, turning away with
a shrug of the shoulders as she noted
Christy's radiant face. schoolgirls
are always awkward and stupid in COM
pany."
"Oh, Belle"
"Come, come" said the good-natured
voice again, as portly maiden appeared
at one of the doors, " don't stay there
talking. Come back, Belle, and let me
finish your hair"
"Am to come DOWN." queried Chris
ty, breathlessly.
There was hearty Yes" from her
mother, and sulky one from Belle.
Christy waited for no more. Dropping
her books on the stair landing, she ran
down and out the rear door into the sun
shine, tossing up her fat hat exultingly.
80 myl almost feel as if / was a
young lady"
She did not look much like one, as she
raced down the river, intent on rowing
off little of her excitement. She looked
very young, indeed, with her slight
figure, short dress, and careless curls
tied down under the fiat hat, as she
loosed her boat and pushed out into the
stream. And she felt just like a child
as she rowed off in the perfect air and
sunshine of the autumn day. The ripe
ness and mist of September were ON the
russet fields and painted woods. Warm
scents came from sedge blooms and
gardens along the banks, and here and
there the dark water caught scarlet re.
Election from vivid cardinal-flower or a
Redeemed bough. Christy, rowing lazily
down with the current, rounded shady
bend in the stream, and came upon a
little cove, where an adventurous wild
grape had climbed over low trees, and
hung its rare purpling clusters from
pendent boughs, Now ChTisty had an
especial liking for wild grapes. She no
sooner saw them than, with deft move
ment of the oars, the boat was pushed
into the cove, and the rover, standing on
one of the teetering seats, was trying in
vain to reach the lowest tempting clus.
ter. 1t was out of reach. In vain she
jumped for it, at the imminent risk OF
drowning herself; in vain, forgetting
her aspirations after ng-ladyhood, she
wished herself a boy that she might
climb the willow from which it hung
She did not know what pretty picture
she made as she stood there in the rich
purple shadows, the richer purple of the
fruit above her, the gold of Stray sun
rays fltering down through the million
leaves above. Her dark curling hair was
pushed back, her cheeks were flushed,
and the sleeves had fallen away from heI
upraised rounded arms as she stood on
tiptoe below the provoking cluster. A
voice startled her, and brought her eyes
back to the shining levels of the river.
Will you allow me 70 get you the
grapesf"
If Christy had been young lady, she
would not have turned scarlet and ut