The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-10-25

CLIFF HOUSE.
ooh. look Lena, what little gem OF
a picture'
1t hung in the best place inMr Cur
ney's shop, where the slanting sunset
light gaye glimmer of positive reali-
ty to the green waves breaking on the
strand, and touched the tiny rosy col
ored shells with yet pinker CLEAN ;
and LenaO Oliphant looked upon II with
instructive admiration.
Yes she said, after a second or two,
'iis very lovely. 1 should like to buy
it if we were rich. But come, Isabella,
we shall be late
And the two yOung girls hurried
away, their gray muslin skirts rustling
softly, and the faint scent of the clus-
ters of mignionette that they wore in
their belts followed them as they
walked.
Adolphus Chevering, who had been
carelessly turning over portfolio OF
drawings at the back of the shop, his
dark, handsome face shaded by the
brim of his hat, came forward as they
left the little place.
Two very pretty faces said he ill.,
differently.
Yes, sir, they are very beautiful
young ladies'
'Liss Lena is giving music lessons
to the young ladies that come to Sea-
cliff this season for sea air and bath
ing. Miss Isabella-the youngest, sir
docs fine embroidery for fancy
shop in London. Put together, their
income amt what they used to spend
for kid gloves and eau de cologne.
They were co-heiresses to old Bannis-
ter of Cliff House but were disinher-
tied because their father lampooned
him, and the estate was willed to
distant cousin
This announcement surprised Adol-
phus, and he hastily left the shop.
Give music lessons, eh P said Adol:
phus to himself. And work fiue
needlework! There are two sides, it
seems, to every mundane question.
And they never told me, when l re-
ceived the notification that old Bannis-
ter had willed this fine estate to me,
that was about to make beggars of
two girls with faces like Guido's an
gels. 1 must manage to see them |
again.
Il really think it is an opportunity,
Miss Lena said the old woman who
kept house for the two orphan girls,
and domineered over them in q mild
sort of way. Three guineas a week,
and it won't take hardly nothin' for
their meals, considerin' we've our own
fowls and eggs, and all the vegetables
in the gardingI And that there back
rOom amt of no use, except to keep
umber in. Do think it over, Miss
Lena dearp
Yes said Ida Maurice, e,shrinkingly,
but the idea of keeping lodgers.'
Isabella looked haughtily up into
Ter sisters face.
Lena! Lena i said sc, mo false pride
mo airs and gracesl We're poor
,eople, and we must behave like poor
people. Peggy, tell the gentleman he
nay come
And in this manner Adolphus Chey-
,rlng obtained an entrance into the
nner life of Lena and Isabella.
you can't imagine how dull it is
or man to be eating and drinking
IL alone by himself pleaded he.
And Isabella. laughing, allowed that
t must be very stupid. And the ice,
'nce broken, formed itself no more.
1t was not long before Isabella took
lin into her confidence about what he :
ermed the family romance :
what selfish villain that far-away
cousin of yours must bev said dChever-
ng.
ooh, no Il don't think that necessari-
y follows answered unconscious Isa-
,ella. 'If the property is legally will
ID TO hin, that is all he knows or cares
bout the matter
That is true assented Chevering.
'And it's something proudly added
to know that Ida and can,
md do, earn our own living
'Yes,' said CheveriDg, whose role at
he seaside cottage was that of an ar
ist 'sketching up for his winters work
But am not q helpless, weak woman
Neither am L. said I.a5ella with
pirit.
isabella!
'Well?'
IF were to confess that love you
Ito ask you to marry me-would you
urn me out of doors
NO. Isabella answered, with eyes
parking with half fun, half with 8
leeper feeling. 4 should wonder how
ny one could possibly prefer me to
1ena.'
Il do love you, isabella said Chew J
ring, looking into her melting blue q
RIBS. will you have me?'
IL think l will,' Isabella answer.