Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-01-04
"BELLE,S BRAU.v


"BELLE,S BRAU.o
A wide, roomy, picturesque old house
such as one sees nowhere but In countr,
towns, set back from the village stree
among spacious grounds that stretched
to nver-a house that would have de
lighted an artist, with the broad drive
before 1T shaded by yellowing elms. IL,
piazzas overhung with Virginia creepe,
and scarlet woodbine, and with the eay
giimpses of q garden ON the right. The
haze and coler of q superb September
afternoon were over everything. Two
girls, evidently just from school. stood
at the gate, one within, the other lean
ing ON the fence to gossip.
"What Is she going to wear !" the lat
Ter was asking, with deep interest.
White silk and pink trimmings."
won't she look lovely What shall
you wear yourselff"
"Ia Belle says shan't come in the
room at all. She says I'm only a child.
always have to stay off in the nursery
with David evenings when there's COM
pany. I did think might come in TO
her birthday party, though :" and the
speakers lip quivere1, and tears stood
in her eyes.
"And she won't let you'll What a
shamel Why, you're 16 years old,
though you don't look it. II Twas
you, Pd-Ohi see, Christy % she fin
Ished In hurried whisper, as a horse
man ealloped out of the sunEt vistas of
the road, and passed them, "there's
Charlton Ross, your sisters beau 7"
Christy looked mp In time 10 catch the
momentary glance of a pair of dark ewes.
Why don't you bow \"
She did not answer for moment.
She was watching the gray horse. and
noting the careless grace of the rider as
he wheeled and dashed through the
stone gateway of the Ross mansion.
Don't you know hima"
"Only inst by sight. When he comes
to our house / never see him. But
sometimes / see him in his grounds.
They Join ours, you know"
Her companions eyes followed hers
to where, at little distance, cluster of
gray Stone chimneys rose high under
ancient elms.
is your sister going to marry him 7"
don't know. / don't suppose he's
"Oh I should think she would IL he
did, that's all. He's ever so hand
some-and rich. 1 heard Honoria say"
must go, Kate ; there's Belle call
ing me now" and with q hurried good
by Christy ran up the walk, rushed into
the hall, and tossed her books ON the
able. A voice from the top of the
STAIRS, rather incislve than sweet, stayed
Bring those books straight mn TO the
nursery. And attend to me, Ch isty.
You're to show the ladies their dressing
room tonight. Maria ii be busy in the
Kitchen, and theren be no one but Won
70 90 1t. You can just stand here at the
mead OF the stairs, and show them which
way to go, you know. Your white mus.
I'm dress will do to wear, and mamma
says it's all ready; and afterward-
Belle maynt come down stairs
and see the dancing afterward2"
The pretty blonde at the head of the
stairs tossed lack her half braided hair
with gesture Of vexation.
You are the greatest baby"
But it's your party, Belle, right in
the house, and do so love dancing. II
IT'S only to look on. And I'm Is years
old; and Kate Clapham-'
"Oh don't quote Kate Clapham.
and don't bother me. Wait till it's
tune for you to go to parties"
Why, Belle, !" said voice from one
OF the chambers, good-humoredly, "do
Let the child come down. She won't be
IN the way, and her dress looks yery
well. Maria can curl her hair"
- As II che could help being in the
way, muttered Belle, turning away
with . shrug OF the shoulders A.
she noted Christy's radiant face.
schoolgirls are always awkward and
stupid in company"
go Belief
Come, come, said the goodnatured
voice again, as q portly matron appeared
at one OF the doors, don't stay there
talking. Come back, Belle, and let mt
finish your hair"
Am 1 to come down \" oueried
Christy, breathlessly.
Inere was a hearty " Yes" from he,
mother, and a sulky one from Belle
Christy waited for no more. Droppins
her books on the stair landing, she RAJ
down and out the rear door into tn,
sunshine, tossing up her Fat hat exult
ingly.
80 myl almost feel as if 1 was
young lady"
She did not look much like one as sh
raced down to the river, intent ON row
ing of little Of her excitement. Sh
looked very young indeed, with hel
slight figure, short dress, and careles
curis tied Gown under the fat hat, q
she ioosed her boat and pushed out int.
the stream. And she felt just like
chlld as she rowed off in the perfect al
and sunshine of the autumn day. Th
ripeness and mist of September wer
on the russell fields and painted woods
Warm scents came from hedge-bloom
and gardens along the banks, and her,
and there the dark water caught q scar
ct reflection from vivid cardinal
fower or REDEEMED bough. Christy
rowing axily down with the currents
rounded ashady bend In the stream .anf
came upon a little cove, where an adven
turous wild grape had climbed over low
trees and hung its rare, purpling cluster
from pendant boughs. Now, Christ,
Lad an especial liking for wild grapes
She no sooner saw them than, with (
deft movement of the oars, the boat wal
Iushed into the cove, and the rover
standing on one of the teetering seats
was trying in vain to reach the lowes
tempting cluster. 1t was out of reach
In vain she jumped for it. at the immi
nent risk of drowning herself in vain
orge.t;ng hsr aspirations after young
lady yhood, she wished herself boy, tha
slie might climb the willow from which
ltLung. She did not know what a pret