The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-19
"BELLE,S BEAU.v

A wide, roomy, picturesque old house,
such as one sees nowhere but in country
towns, set back from the village street
among spacious grounds that stretched
to a rivera house that would have de-
lighted an artist, with the broad drive
before it shaded by yellowing elms, its
piazzas overhung with Virginia creeper
and scarlet woodbine, and with the gay
glimpses of a garden on the right. The
haze and coler o, 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 2" the lat
ter was asking, with deep interest.
white silk and pink trimmings"
"Won't she look lovely What shall
you wear yourself9"
"I2 Belle says 1 shan't come in the
room at all. She says I'm only child.
always have te stay off in the nursery
with David evenings when there's COM
pany. / did think 1 might come in to
her birthday party, though ;" and the
speakers lip quivered, and tears stood
her eyes.
"And she won't let you! What q
shame Why, you're 16 years old,
though you don't look it. If was
you, Pd-Oh! see, Christy !" she fin
ished in a hurried whisper, as horse
man galloped out of the sunlit vistas of
the road, and passed them, "there's
Charlton Ross, your sisters beau -
Christy looked up in time to catch the
momentary glance of pair of dark eyes.
"Why don't Won bow2"
She 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 him2"
"Only just by sight. When he comes
sometimes I 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 p"
"I don't know. don't suppose he's
ever asked her. Why2"
"Oh should think she would if he
did, that's all. He's ever so hand
some-and rich, 1 heard Honoria say"
'I must go, Kate there's Belle call
ing me now," and with hurried good
by 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.
"Brlng those books straight up to the
nursery. And attend to me, ChIisty.
You're to show the ladies their dressing
room tonight. Maria II be busy in the
kitchen, and therell be no one but you
to do it. 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-
go Belle mayn't come down stairs
and see the dancing afterward9"
I. The pretty blonde at the head of the
stairs tossed hack her half-braided hair
with gesture of vexation.
"You are the greatest baby"
"But it's your party, Belle, right in
the house, and 1 do 80 love dancing, if
it's only to look on. And I'm 16 years
old; and Kate Clapham-"
"Oh don't quote Kate Clapham,
and don't bother me. Wait till it's
time 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 very
well. Maria can curl her hair"
Gas if she could help being in the
way," muttered Belle, turning away
with shrug of the shoulders as
che noted Christy's radiant face.
"School-girls are always awkward and
stupid in company"
40 Belle ="
"Come, come, said the goodnatured
voice again, as a portly matron appeared
at one of the doors, don't stay there
talking. Come back, Belle, and let Inc
finish your hair.
"Am 1 to come down." queried
Christy, breathlessly.
There was hearty Yes from her