Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-04-28
VIRGINIA FREE PRESS.
i. 4. & II. Y. D. GlLIlHBl. EIIT1lS
Jharlostown, JeGerson &C., ". Va.
OFFICE Is JEFFERSON BUILDIEG."
Saturday. April 90, 1877.
ONLY a SUMMER DREAM.

a June morning all brightness, and glad
ness, and sunshine, and young girl tripping
up green lane edged with trimly-clipped
hedge, her berry basket swinging from her
arm, and her dimpled face crimson with health,
and exercise as she danced into the door-yard
Of a cosy farmhouse, singing as gaily as The
thrushes in the dewy meadows BY the river
side. Her blue gingham dress was damp with
dew, and clung to her figure like a wet rag
her hat was battered and torn with bramJIos,
but underneath its tattered rim danced pair
Of blue eyes that shone like stars, and curling
down about tie ivory-wbte throat were rings
of hair that looked like waves Of yellow gold
She was as lovely picture of beauty IN
adorned, as one could imagine; but waen is a
pure, simple-hearted young girl not beautiful? e?
And Jessie Harper, in spite Of her seventeen
years, was as guleess as little child. and as
the waxen lilies she loved to gather from the
pcrfumod waters Of Lilly pond"
" Mother" shouted the fresh young voice,
as she entered the breezy hall, there's not
berry in the clearing but the lily buds are
just open--"
Jessie paused in charming confusion: for a
stranger stood in the cool hall talking to her
mother-a stranger, young and handsome, al
though lis delicate face lacked the hue Of
health.
&" This is Mr. Jannines. our summer boarder,
my daughter said her eentle-faced mother,
with disapproviog glance at her daughters
flushed face and dew-wet garments.
Mr.. Jannings ?' cried Jessie, with the
frank impulsivencss Of a child, as she laid her
dimplcd fingers in tie thin palm Of the stran-
ger, "Why, thought Mr Jaunings was old,
and"
Ugly" laughed M Jannines, as he gnzed
almiriugly into the lovely face, thinking in his
heart what a very sweet and piluant face it
was
"Yes, Just that" laughed Jessie, withdraw
ing her hand with a vivid blush, ard dartag
out through a side door like frightened bird
"She is such a child was the quiet mo-
ther's apology, as Jessie disappeared among /
the vines that clustered about the kitchen /
porch, singing, Whistle and I'll come to you
my lad, and the only comfort we have"
Mr.. Paul JanniDrs gazed at the quivering
vines that hid Jessie's sylph-like lure from
lim and thought it must be rare comfort, in
Iced, to have such face as that forever at
1ue's hea;.h-stone.
He had more than once rebelled against bis
physicians S otiers, "a quiet summer at some
ountry farmhouse" but if this young girls
company was as charming as her face, he dill
lot dread the languid days and silent purple
wiIight hours that had been such q horror to
lin.
As for Jessie, she was too much bewide7ed
y Mr. JanniDgs youthfulappearance 70 think
leary on any subject She had expected him
o be old, ugly, gou;y and whimsical-all her
mothers former boarders had been that-but
instead, she saw tall graceful, youthful man,
With the most bewitching velvety black eyes
D tie world, not too i'll 10 be cross, or helpless
o excite all her womanly sympathies in his
a7or. But she resOlutely avoided him I'll that
ay, only singing softly to herself, when she
new be was resting on the lounge 10 the par
1r and when her evening work was done,
,ent of by herself, down the path TIA: LED to
be lily pond, leaving Mr.. Jannings to enjoy
is cigar on the shaded pofticO. But Paul
Awnings sharp black eyes caught glimpse
+ 4 white dress disappearing through tie
hrubbery, and in al instant bis cigar was
uug into the grass, and he was following Jes-
ie at a swinging pace.
" declare feel stronger already" he said
, Himself ne he drew ia great nOufL(uls Of