Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-12-13
Charity's Charity.

"You'n repent of this, Charity, mark
my words"
Charity Atherton laughed good hu-
moredly, "If do, you will have the
lmrneIse satisfaction of saying Il told
y3u So Auntie, pray don't argue the
matter any further, for it will not i'm
prove the case, and, besides, there is a
limit to my patience"
"And to mine, as well, Miss Charity" s"
retorted wrathful Aunt Dorothy. "You
go to your dressmaEer's, are detained
five minutes, overhear sewing girl
telling pitiful story, and you must
needs bring the creature here to spend
the summer, and squander any amount
of money in making her presentable !
Patience, indeed My patience was ex-
nausted some time ago."
Half a dozen pairs of gloves and
slippers won't empty my purse neither
will three or four muslin dresses. It is
very unjust in you to Judge Rose before
you have seen her. She is an Atherton,
too, remember"
But no relation of yours, and why
you should ask such a creature -
Miss Dorothy paused as Charity drew
herself up. 81 have invited Miss Ath-
erton to my house, and while she is
here as a guest she must be treated as
becomes my friend"
"And equal" added Miss Dorothy,
sarcastically. "Pray what do you think
your brother will say to oil this ?"
cas- his advice will not be asked, he
will probably say nothing" and, at the
last word the clock struck four, and
Charity stepped into the pony phaeton,
by which she had been standing during
the discussion. "Good- bye, auntie
shall bring Rose home at half-past
fye."
Miss Dorothy Arnold stood looking
after the phaeton until turn in the
road hid it from view. Willful, will.
full, willful What will she be at next
One comfort, Wayne will be here before
long, and then-but she is of age, so
there's nothing to be done," and, with a
sigh, Miss Arnold went into the house
and took up her novel. It proved inter-
esting, and, in what seemed very short
time, the sound of wheels on the gravel
road made Miss Dorothy peep through
the half-opened blinds, to see Charity,
and by her side q stranger, who was
| Miss Atherton number two.
"She is pretty, very pretty" said
Miss Dorothy, becoming more kindly,
as she surveyed the slender figure, the
bright-brown hair, the pale, wistful face,
and the beautiful, half-mournful blue
eyes. What contrast to brown, eyed,
dark-haired Charity, who was the very
picture of careless happiness and health.
Rose Atherton, however, found Miss
Dorothy's welcome none of the most
cordial, though Charity was agreeably
surprised at its comparative friendli.
ness. Her own welcome, however. was
warm enough to make up for Miss Doro.
thy's coolness, and Rose felt we'll salts.
fed, as she followed her hostess into the
sunny, prettily furnished room which
she was to occupy. 81 think you will
find everything you want but if not
ring for it. Dinner will not be served
for an hour, so you can lie down if you
You feel tired. Try to get nap I vii
call you in time to get ready for din
ner."
The door closed at Charity's las
words, and that young lady ran dow
to Miss Dorothy.
"Now, auntie, confess that you ar,
surprised"
"She is quite pretty, and is lady
like" said Miss Arnold, slowly, "bu
very much doubt the wisdom of bring
ing her here"
"She is lady, am sure of it," sale
Charity, apparently unmindful OF tn,
latter part of the remark.
| Miss Dorothy might have been salts
fed had she only known the qualm
that Charity experienced as she begal
to see the possible troubles into whicl
her hasty invitation might speedily lea,
her. Perhaps something OF all this wa
apparent in Miss Atherton's face, fo
Miss Dorothy's grim looks relaxed, a
she added:
cat all events, she's here, and W
must make the best of it."
| Charity laughed reeesured, "I pre-