Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-18
smnebse sournal.
BELLIES BEAU"

a Wlue, Ioot0yt ptcturcsQuc Oiu uousc,
. such ~ one sees nowhere but Ia country
towns. set back from the village street
among spacious grounds that stretched to
rivera house that would have delighted
an artist, with the broad drive before u
shaded by following elms, Its piazzas over
hung with Virginia creeper and scarlet
woodbine, and the gay glimpses OF garden
on the right. The haze aud color oil
superb September afternoon were over
everything. Two girls. evidently Just
from school, stood AT the gate, one with
In, the ether leaning on the fence TO Cos
sip.
What Is she going to wear ?" the lat
ter was asking. with deep Interest.
white silk aud pink Trimmings
won't she look lovely! What shall
you wear yourselfP"
'Iw Belle says 81 shant come In the
room at all, She saws I'm only a child.
/ always have to stay off In the nursery
with David evenings when there's COM
pany. did think might go to her birth
day party, though" and the speakers
lip quivered. and tears stood in her eyes.
Sand she won't let you what shame !!
Why, you're sixteen years old. though
you don't look il. If | was you, Td-Oh.
see. Christy - she finished in hurried
whisper, as horseman golloped out OF
the sunlit vistas of the road. and passed
them, there's Charlton Ross, your sis
ter's beau ~
Christy looked up In time to catch the
momentary glance of pair of dark eyes.
"Why don't you bowP"
Christv did not answer for a 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 him p
..Only Just by sight. When he comes
to our house never see him. But some
times see him in his grounds. They join
ours, you know.
Her companions eyes followed hers to
where, at q little distance, cluster of
gray stone chimneys rose high under an
cient elms.
.'ls your sister going to marry him p
IL don't know. ! don't suppose he's
ever asked her. Whyp'
''Oh, should think she would if he did,
that's all. He's ever so handsome-and
rich. heard Honoria say"
II must go, Kate there's Belle calling
me now" and with a hurried good bye
Christy ran up the walk. rushed into the
hall, and tossed her books on the table.
A voice from the top of the stairs. rather
incisive than sweet, stayed her progress
bring those books straight up to the
nursery. and attend to me, Christy.
You're to show the ladies their dressing
room tonight. Maria'll be busy in the
kitchen, and there'll be no one but you to
do 1t. You can Just stand here at the
head of the stairs and show them which
way to go, you know. Your white mus
lin dress will do to wear, and mamma
says it's all ready; and afterward-"
''Oh Belle. mayn't l come down stairs
aud see the dancing afterward p
The pretty blonde at the head of the
stairs tossed back her half braided halr
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 sixteen-years
old, and Kate Clapham-"
"Oh. don't quote Kate Chaplain. and
don't bother me. Wait till its time for
you to 20 to parties"
"Why, Belle" said voice from one of
the chambers. good-humoredly. "do let
the child come down. She won't be In
way, and her dress looks very well Ma
ria can curl her hair"
''As If she could help being in the way"
muttered Belle, turning away with shrug
Of the shoulders as she noted Christy's
radiant face. "School girls are always
awkward and stupid in company"
"Oh, Belle"
"Come, come" said the good natured
voice again, as Il portly matron appeared
at one of the doors, don't stay their talk
ing. Come back. Belle, and let me finish
your hair"
Am to come down quer!ed Christy
breathlossly.
There was hearty Yes" from her
mother, and a sulky one from Belle.
Christy waited for no more, Dropping
her books on the stair landing, she ran
down and out the rear door into the sun
shine. tossing up her fiat had exutingly.
''Oh, my! | almost felt as ii was q
young ladyr'
She did not look much like one. as she
raced down to the river. intent on rowing
off little of her excitement. She looked
very young indeed, with her slight figure.
short dress. and careless curles lied down
under the fat hat, as she loosed her boat
anu pusneu oul lIto tue elIehu. Anu she
felt just like child as she rowed off III
the perfect air and sunshine OF the autumn
day. The ripeness and mist of Septem-
Der were on the russell fields and painted
woods. Warm scents came from sedge
blooms and gardens along the banks, and
here and there the DARK water caught a
scarlet reflection from vivid cardinal
flower or redeemed bough, Christy, row.
ing lazily down with the currents rounded
shady bend in the stream, and came up
on little cove, where an adventurous
wild grape had climbed over low trees
and hung its rare purpling clusters from
pendent boughs. Now Christy had an es
pecial liking for wild grapes. She no
sooner saw them than, with def move
ment Of the oars, the boat was pushed in-
to the cove, and the rover. standing on
one OF the lettering seats, was trying in
vain to reach the lowest tempting cluster
1t was out of reach. In vain she jumped
for it, at the imminent risk of drow ming
herself; In vain, forgetting her aspirations
after young ladyhood, she wished herself
boy, that she might climb the willow
from which it hung. She did not know
what pritty picture she made as she stood
there In the rich purple shadows, the rich
er purple of fruit above her the gold oF