Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-02-05

faculties on bebo!liug the poor girls phght.-
Grace, who had in tie meantime ioOAed ln'o
the mirror, burst into tears.
"What is the matter p hypocriiical Nan
again asked, while the others crowded fouIu'
repeating the same question.
think it was mean, 90 soI' was all she
could say.
"Whnt is mean DO explain yourself DEAR
and don I cry" said Belle.
"Has any one been attempting to transform
You intoa cherry for tue pdrP,se oi eAtlu-
your slyly interposcd Joe. -,
al, is Mamie COleman's work, and III
never speak to her again. never"
"Whet did do?" and Mans air oi injured
innocence would have deceived any ono not 50
well acquainted with her 'ischievous propen-
sitics as her companions, who now began TO
glance suspiciously at her, and Italia exclaimed
Indignantly,
just look at the poor girls face, and she
will not be able to get all this grass aud dirt
out Of her head in week Aud say the
sirl who did it should be ashamed OF herself.
And so DO /, most assuredy," said Nan.
az is not that; don, care for that; but
but
"Dell US all dear"
! After she became more composed Grlce told
! them all, and even Mamie felt little ahashed
at the result However, in few minutes,
/ with the assistance Of The girls, Grace comhed
/ her beautiful hair free Of the 2 'ss and washed
the stains from her fair face; bit when, alier
! confessiug Nan asked forgiveness, she would
not notice her except with curled lip aud ele-
waited nose.
Listen girls there is some one talking on
! the veranda; it is gentleman voice, too, and
/ there is aunt replying" said Belle after while
"Go down and see, Nan, that is good
child" said Joe
Child. indeed And, pray. have you grown
so o,d in an hours time However 90 for
Miss Wentworth's sake, as he may he her
/ knight of the cherry tree aud it would be a
pity to deprive her OF the pleasure of bis ac-
/ qUaiGtance"
| Grace flashed m angry glance at her as she
/ left the room, bat exhibited rs much curiosity
/ as the others when she returned, bounding in-
to the room with the words
! Three Of them, and 80 hludsome, They
want board for few weeks; like the country;
lamsntic and all that, you know. Give splen-
/ did references one from Mrs. Wentworth, our
/ Cherries mother
describe them do you know their names
how old arc they" were the exclama;ions Of
the girls.
One at time, please. First, describe
them aud give their names Wen, hem-em
en-; Mr. Frank Melville, about twenty /;
ssucy black eyes black hair pretty mouth
minus beard, and think by far the best look
ing of the three. Second Mr.. Howard Ham
! i,tou, bout twcnty-three, bonny blue eyes
auburn hair, pretty white teeth that gleam
| beautifully through a splendid moustache
/ when he smiles Third and last hem EN-
hem." with a wickedly triumphant glance at
/ Grace. "Mr. Audley Sinclaire, gentleman; n
bout ,wcoty-four, handsome brown eyes, curl
inc &rowiIlair, beautiful thick brown nous
tachA and--a!together the identical knight
That is all, | believe, except found out their
names on the cards which Mrs Ni!loushby
gave me 10 the passage; their owners and APP
pearancc Of them by observations made through
the key hole and door while standing OPEN
! Mrs Willoughby says TO beauiify more than
usual FOR she knows they are all good catches,
she concluded with n merry laugh
Five o'clock IL is time now to dress,
said Belle.
1t was difficult to tell which Of the four de-
served the palm for beauty when At last they
descended TO the table Grace refused to @.
aud sitting mp stairs alone listening to the mur-
mur Of voices with now and then a merry
/ happv. peal Of laughter ascending from the
yerauda. she almost decided 81 return home
The next day, but then, that horrd man
/ should not haze the satisfaction Of knowing
he had driven her home" So she determined
10 remain and show her utter Indifference 10
him and his friends.
The next morning she selected g. plainest
dress from her extensive wardrobe: neat pink
and white calico destitute of (urbc.Ows; with
white linen cuffs and collar the latter confined
with knot of blue ribbon, and ber bright hai-
I cuiled In careless twist on the back Of her
heal She thought to de,raot from her bea1.
ty. instfa of which she boxed still more love-
Is than cgcl that most lovely Photograph ia
Mrs Snc!Air's possession. At least 50 The
latter thought as be suddenly came upon her
returning from tho spHug ab1ut SIX O'Clock.
Good morning. Miss Wentworth.
Good morning, VI, SucAire."
Beautiful morning isa'tit?'
Beautiful"
Jast coaliag from tie spring. Would
you be so kind as 20 favor me with drausht
of that sparkling Uater?'
Certainly" She coldIy answered, aud pour
ing some into ,he silver goblet she carried,
handed il to BIN
lie received il with low bow, and drink
ioS, said
TO your health, and success in lovs!'
Thauk you" she replied haughtly, and
started forwar! At quick pace as though she
would be ril Of him lie kept At her si.le,
however. carrying the small silver pitcher and
goblet. till they icache the verinda, when she
insisted upon having them.
lie slryIlei off, lighting cigar, and met one
! Of hi, companions, also taking smoke before
breakfast
"l have seen her, Howard, ny boy Seen
and spoken to her. But she is rs cool as a
cowcumber, as aunt Hepsy would say
/ "Sho Isl
Yes; and she looks more beautiful than
ever. ! tell you, How. if DO not win that
girl it will not be Lind St Ciaire's fault"
Il believe you but really now, is she as
nce-loOkiug as Miss Fincent?'
Miss Vincent. why, her charms could no.
bear contact with my Gracie's.'
Your Grace. eh -
Yes, for you know con .iieT her mine
helloa there, doa's stGa a fellow, will You ?"
"Wbo is that you consider yours, Lind?
INQUIRED Frank Melville, whose clap on Lind
sey's shoulder caused him to rub that member
and exclaim-
"By Jove, Frank two such as that and
the physician would be in demand, which
would entail some little expense upon yOu."
Pardon but il such should be the cas-