Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-02-25

nor and Amelia, you had better
look your best when he calls again,
as he is considered a good catch, and
is particular as to ladies' dress !''
"Humph !" thought Jell, wonder
what he thought of my sweeping
rig? He'll not see me this evening,
for Pm going to run over the field to
Clara's."
So in the evening, while Eleanor
and Amelia were "primpiug," as
Jell styled it, she crossed the fields
to the house of her bosom friend and
con6dant, and did not return until
she was sure the caller should be
gone. Her sisters were full of new
topics.
And just to think, Jell," said
Eleanor, "he asked papa if he had
no other daughter, and when papa
said yes, but that you were at a
neighbor's, l actually thought he
seemed disappointed, but of course
it was fancy he has never met you. "
"Of course it was" said Jell,
quickly, and then thought, " What
would he think, | wonder, if he knew
/ ran away from him ?"
On Sunday the girls came from
church to Jell, who had remained at
home to see to dinner, with long
account of how Mr.. Landreth had
looked SO eagerly at them as they
walked into church, and when the
services were over, had handed them
into the carriage, promising himself
the pleasure of calling during the
week.
81 believe he is in love with one
of you," laughed Jell but which
one 90
4 don'tknow," said Eleanor, look
ing doubtfully at Amelia.
Il don't know" said Amelia, look
ing doubtfully at Eleanor.
ime alone will tell" said the
wise little school mistress oracularly.
:" Let us go to dinner"
Monday morning Jell went to
school, glad and yet sorry, for it
was her last week before vacation.
Although she sometimes wearied of
her work, yet it was something in
which she could not help but be in
terested. This week she resolved to
be kind and forbearing to her pu-
pils-her children, as she playfully
called them-so that none but hap
py remembrances might be carried
away.
At noon one OF her sweetest little
girls begged to take down her hair
and put it up again, this being deemed
by some a great priYilege-never
granted, however, unless the teacher
felt specially indulgent. But this
time Jell allowed it to be done, and
sat with her back to the door, read
ing, with her long hair falling in
lovely confusion around her. A Aslight
noise made her turn, and she beheld
Mr.. Landreth standing in the door,
as though be knew not whether to
advance or withdraw. Annoyed,
Jell invited him to be seated, and
told Nellie to put up her hair.
While this was being done, the
gentleman remarked that he had
been thirsty, and had stopped for
drink. So the child was dispatched
for some water in Miss Jell's own
private glass. After drinking the
stranger introduced himself, and alb
ruptly inquired if Jell was not Miss
Evans, and on her acknowledging
her identity, he said he had met her
sisters, but there seemed to be some
fate against his becoming acquainted
with, herself, as, when he called, she
was out, and on Sunday she remained
at home. Then they talked of .vari-
Gus things until school-time, and,
since he was there, Jell could not
help asking him to remain and see
some of the exercises.
Thus it came to pass that Eleanor,
looking from the door about four
o'clock, saw. Mi. Landreth and Jell
up the lane. Great was her
thereat, but when she was
informed they met by accident, and
be was going to stay to tea, she asked
no more questions, but sat down to
entertain the guest, while Jell slipped
away. She returned, however, be-
fore tea, with her hair arranged in
somewhat better order, and a white
rose at her throat.
After this Mr.. Landreth managed
to drop IN this pleasant circle quite
often-very often, in fact. And Mrs.
Evans puzzled herself considerably
rs 10 Which of her daughters attract
cd him. He turned Eleanor's music,
and criticised Amelia's drawing, and
."Sartor Resartos I" with
Jell. If he took Eleanor riding in
the morning, he was quite sure to
walk with sAmelia in the afternoon,
and just as sure to meet Jell coming
from school, and persuade her to go
rowing. ] do not think Jell herself
knew which he cared for most, or
hat she thought of it. She only
thought the days unusually bright
and when he sent Eleanor bouquet
Of fair roses, Amelia stately lilies,
and Jell violets and heart's-ease, she
put hers carefully away liz :. drawer,
scarcely knowing why, only that she
hated to throw them away.
One morning Jell missed her sweep
ing cap; she could not find it any
where. She remembered seeing it in
the sitting room the night before,
but now it was gone. Carlo must
have run off with it. Jell was quite
distressed, for this cap was dear to
her. Her mother called it her chap
py cap" and its owner was discon-
solate enough without it.
School was over, and her two eld-
est sisters had gone for a short visit.
The house seemed lonely and the day
passed slowly. But evening finally
arrived, and with it Mr.. Landreth.
Jell was just telling herself that she
need not expect him, now that Flea
nor and Amelia were absent, when
she spied him coming up the walk.
As the air was warm, they remained
on the piazza in the moonlight and
talked, or were silent, as the spirit
moved them.