Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-03-15
sfIett s sstorn.
Bellies Beau

! such as one sees nowhere but in 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 sha.-
ed bv yelowing elms, its piszzas overhung
with Virginia crecper and scarlet wood
bine. aud the gay glimpscs OF garden on
the right, The haze and color OF superb
September afternoon were over everything.
| Two girls, evidently just from school.
stood at the gate. one within. the other
learning on the fence to gossip.
What is she going to weary the latter
was asking with dep Interest.
White silk with pink trimmings
Wont she look lovely What shall you
wear yourseli!
IL Belle says shan't come in the room
at all. She says fm only child. | al
ways have TO stay off in the nursery with
David evenings wnen there's company. |
did think might come into her birthday
party. though and the speakers lip quiy-
cred. and tears stood in her eyes.
And she won't let you. what shame I!
Why. you're sixteen years old though you
don't look 1t. Ii was you Id-Oh. see,
/ Chri>ty. she finished in hurried whisp-
er. ~ 4 horseman galloped out OF the sun
III visias of the road, and passed them,
| there's Charlton Ross. your sisters beau :!
momentary glance of a pair of dark eyes.
Why don't YOU bow:
Chrtsty did not answer for moment.
She was watching the gray horse, and not
in- the careless grace OF the rider a he
wheeled and dashed through the stone
gateway OF the Ross mansion.
Don't YOU know him?
.Only just by sight. When he comes to
our house | never see him. But sometimes
see him IN his grounds. They join ours,
you know
Her companipn's eyes followed hers to
where at a little distance, a clu,ter of gray
stone rhimneys rose high under ancient
eims.
l. your sister going to marry him.
4 don't know. don't suppose he's ev-
cr asked her. Why
.uh. should think she would il he did.
that's all. He, ever SO haud-ome-and
rich. ueard Honoria say
i must 90 Kate there's Belle calling me
now. and with a hurried goodbye Christy
ran up the wax, rushed into the hail aud
tossed her books on the table. y voice
from the top OF the stars, rather inclsivc
than sweet. stayed her progress.
Bring those books straight up to the
nursery. And attend To me. Christy.
You're 10 show the ladies' their dressing
room Tonight Maria1l be busy in the
kitchen ami iherell be no one but YOU to
DO 1t. on can just stand here at the
head OF the stairs aud show them which
way 10 20. you know. Your muslin drcs.
vii do to wear and mamma SAYS is, all
ready and aiterward-'
oh. Belle maynt come down stairs
and see the dancing aiterw wardsi'
The pretty blonde al the head OF the
stair, tossed back her half braided hair
with gc,iure OF vcxation.
You are the greatest baby.
But IT., your party. Belle, right in the
house aud DO so love dancing. Il ~ on
| Is to look On. Aud l'rc sixteen year. old,
aud Kate Ciapham-
ON don't quote hate Clapham. aud
don'i bother me Wait till lis time tor you
To- go 10 parties.
WHY Belle. said voice from one OF
the chambers. good-humorcdiy, do let the
chi i come down She wont De in the way
ard ner dress looks very well. Maria can
curl her. hair
a, il >he could help being in the way
mn,tercl Belle, turning away with a shrug
OF the shoulders "a, she noted Chr>ty's IA
diant face. school girl. are always awk-
ward and stupid in company
oh. Belle
tome, come. said the good-natured
voice again. a. portly matron appeared al
one OF the doors don't stay there talking.
Come back Belle, and let me anish your
hair
Am to come DOWN queried Christy.
brcathlessly.
Therewas hearty Yes from her moth
er. aud sulky one from Belle. Christy
waited for no more. Dropping her book
ou the stair landin. She ran down and ou,
the rear doo- into the sunshine. tossing up
her fiat hat cNultinglv
on. my | almost feel "a If was young
lady"
She DID not look much like one. a. she
raced dawn To the river, intent on rowing
of a little Of her excitement. She looked
very young indeed. with her slight figure,
short dress. and careless curls tied down
under the Hat hat a She lOosed her boat
and pushed out into the stream. And she
felt just like child as she rowcd of in the
perfect air and sunshine fthe autumn dav
The rlpcness and mist Of september 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 re-
. feciOn from a vivid cardinal flower or a
Redeemed bough. Christy, rowing lazily
down with the current rounded shady
bend in the stream, and came upon lit
tie cove where an adventurous wild grape
had climped over low trees and hung lis
rare purpling clusters from pendant
bonghs. Now Cnristy had an especial lik-
ing for wild grapes. She no sooner saw
them than, with a deft movement of the
oars. the boat was pushed into the cove,
( and the rover standing on one of the teet-
erin. seats, were trying in vain TO reach
the lowest tempting cluster. 1t was out
of reach. In vain she jumped for il. at the
immeinent risk of drowning herself; in
vain, forgetting her aspirations after young
ladyhood. she wished herself a boy, tina!
she might climb the willow from which ii
hung. She did not know what pretty
picture she made as she stood there in the
, rich purple shadows, the richer purple OF
fruit above her, the gold of stray sun rays
iilterng down through the million leave
above. Her dark curling hair was pushed
back. her cheeks were flushed, and the
sleeves had fallen away from her upraised
rounded arms as she stood on tiptoes be-
low the provoking cluster. voice start
led her, and bought her eyes back to the
shining levels of the river
viii you allow me to get you the Crap
esq
If Chrsty had been young lady, she
!, would not have turned scarlet and uttered
an exclamation of surprise. Being a
schoolgirl, she did both; for there, beside
the boat, was a slender scarlet wherry, the
. oars lying lengthwise, and the occupant
standing within it. cap in hand. Christy
! did not need TO glance twice at the close
cut jetty hair. the bearded lips, the face
! oliye-tinted by the sun. for surely the
, dark eyes looking down at her could be-
, long to no other than the hero of her girl
!: ish dreams-Belle's beau. Nor could the
I 'fated fairy prince who comes sooner or
t later into the life of most girls, have come
In more attractive guise than the person
OF the young aristocrat who stood await
ing Chritty's reply. and regarding her with
mingled amusement and admiration.
Excuse me for startling you. am Ger.
tain you cannot get the grapes. and belns
a head and shoulder taller than you. | am
] equally certain that cam he said, with a
smile.
'Oh. thank you, IL do want them.
like grapes
Most people do. was the laughing re
sponse. as he reached high over Christy';
head and pluck two or three punches. HI