The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-06-08

Lima Holdridge said; while Lina's own
pretty de bege was not only torn in the
ilounce badly, but vas sown all over
with those small black seeds that on
two sharp legs set themselves in any
soft fabric by the thousand, and leave
their traces even when picked out. Be-
fore long they were all hot and tired,
and adjourned to the waterfall to lunch
and happy was the man or woman who
shared Nely's sandwiches; even Mr..
Fearing, who had tasted dclicacies
Beckett never knew even by report, in
Paris cafes and New York clubs, came
nor than once for a supply of this new
found dainty-whether because he real
ly liked them, being hungry with the
keen air, or because he wanted to see
Nely's face brighten with innocent sat
%isfaction, we can't tell, or will not. He
was aU kward enough to spill "a cup of
hot coffee on her skirt, but il v
clouded the pretty face a moment.
"Never mind, twill wash," said she,
and sent a grateful thought home to her
mother to think it was not her precious
black silk.
But Miss Bristow's dainty cashmere
had its W libation OF claret from the
hands of n dreadful boy, who stumbled
over a stone with the buttlein his hands,
and literally sprinkled that dove-color-
ed garment with irremediable spots.
The lady'a dark eyes flashed, and she
bit her beautiful lips. To be sure, she
had other dresses; but how should she
get back to New York without II travel
ing dressP She looked at Nelly and en-
We'd her, though the next half hour
brought her Il companion in misery, for
her cousin, Miss Rycker, in an embroider-
ed batiste just imported, slipped fairly
into the brook and sat down ignomini-
ously in Il shallow pool, Of which she
made II mud-puddle by her sudden in
trusion, splashing the elegant dress
from head to foot, and making the
wearer thoroughly uncomfortable.
Other slight mishaps befrll the party.
but they forgot them in the fragran'
blossoms and keen sweet air.
Nelly had filled her basket to the brim
with carefully chosen sprays, fastened
Il bunch of the deepest hued at her
throat and another in the jet buckle
that fastened her feather hat-band. 1t
was no special vanity in her, for they
were all adorned with their spells, Even
the gentlemen were decked with but
ton-holc bouquets. But nobody looked
like Nelly; and Dir. Fearing thought
so too, rs she stood on
the brow of the hill look
ing over the long valley that ran
northward, threaded by a bright stream,
and closed at the end of the vista by Il
great dark mountain. Behind II little
girl Il deep green growth of young
pines made Il verdant shaded back
ground. Her black hat hung on her
arm her face was full Of keen pleasure
and simple fresh beauty; the red lips,
warm color, open innocent eyes, dark
sweet as pansies are, and the iluttering
rings of hair, which the sun threaded
with gold, furnishing its deep brown as
the wind breathed gently among the
shining t~rcsses, played over II low white
forehead. The artists eye took in the
whole picture and remembered it, but
the mans heart took in q more vivid
and lasting guest; for here he found It
real woman-not II doll of fashion or /;
queen of society, but a bright, pure,
tender creature, fresh and sweet rs the
blossoms she wore, unaffected, sweet.
tempered, delicate, yet witlal piquant
in her manner and speech from native
wit and quick perception.
1t may be inquired, naturally enough,
how Mr.. Fearing discovered all this in
the course of one morning. | confess
it seems improbable, but lovers have Il
wonderful insight into character some.
times. 1t does not always verify itself
on further acquaintance, but this time
the Judgment was true. "More by
good luck than good guidance" as the
Scotch say; and if Mr.. Fearing did lose
his heart suddenly and hopelesSly, he,
at least, never regretted it thereafter,
But the day was over now. They wen,
back to the station, tired but merry
and far less elegant in aspect than til,
party who came down the road in the
morning. Their baskets, emptied o
provisions and bottles, were overlowet
now with exquisite bloom and perfume
that filled the crowd of dusty travellers
among whom they entered with long
ing and envy.
Nelly was tired, but she did not find i
out ut once, for Mr.. Fearing carried he
basket home for her, and asked leave L
call on Monday, with Lima Holdridge
and take Nelly to the Falls.
sob, mamTa, what alovely day Nv,
had!" said she, as Sac entered the small
parlor, where her mother waited TO
her by the window.
"Calico dress and alp" significant,
inquired Mrs. Day.
"That was quite the best part of it
dear. ! was 50 glad wore it," AM
for the next hour Mrs. Day was enter
tanned with a history of the excursion
!, the mishaps of finery, the beauty q
every thing, and just a slight mentio
; of Mr.. Fearing in every other sentence
. till her motherly eyes began to loo
. anxious, and her heart to give n war;
= ing throb, for she remembered he
. youth.
, But if Nelly had not mentioped hi
name, the widow Days eyes would hay
perceived n side of the question, ,
7 least, the next Sunday, from the FRI
\ luent and ardent gaze this young fello'
. directed toward the singers seat, whel
Nelly sang the quaint old hymns in
. clear fresh voice, and looked as angel
y as a pretty girl could in ii black sill
IrasS and whita MANA iantof NTH M,