The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-04-09
WASHING A LOVER.
RAINY day in the country /

N Drip, drip sounded the water in
the barrel under the caves patter, patter
trinkled down the rain drops upon the
leaves of the seryngas and lilac bushes
and Lucy Darl, sitting at the window,
her round chin resting in her hands,
and her eyes fixed dreamily on the
woods, half hidden in vapory mists,
began to feel the least bit in the world
1ored
An open letter lay in her lap-a letter
to which she referred every now and
then, with pretty, half-puzzled con-
traction of her brows.
wash and wearl" she repeated to
herself. "I wonder what Aunt Judith
means. she hopes that whichever of
my suitors 1 may elect to prefer will
wash and wear Upon my word, that
is likening the lords of creation to
pattern of calico, or ginghan sun-bon-
net I"
And Lucy laughed little-a very be-
coming process, which brought out the
dimples around her cherry lips, and the
dewy sparkles under her long auburn
lashes.
I'm sure they are both models Of
amiability and good temper" said she
to herself-"that is as far as l know"
Aud then all of sudden it occurred
10 heF how little woman could really
know Of the actual bona .fde habits and
character of a man until she is married
to him, past all escape.
All, if one could peep behind the
scenes ~ said Lucy. 9" If one could
only put lover on trial for month,
as Aunt Judith takes q servant girl, and
discharge him if he don't give satisfac-
don And then the wash-and-wear
question, which gives Aunt Judith so
much tribulation, could be easily settled.
Heighol believe shall have to draw
lots which / will marry, Eugene Folli-
oft, or George Haven. But there's no
use wrinkling up my forehead about it
now; time will decide. In the mean
time shall be hopelessly wearied if
sit here staring at the rain. I'll put on
my things and run over to Nell Folli-
otis. Eugene will have started for the
city long ago."
1t was a pretty, shaded road, delicious
in the freshness of a morning, but rath-
er drippy and dragly, just at present,
that led to the old Folliott mansion-a
sturdy erection of gray stone, with half
a deEen honey locusts keeping guard
over 1t like band of sentinels.
Lucy Darl, privileged visitor, did
not ring at the front door bell, but slip
ped quietly in at the back door and ran
r(ip to Miss Folliott's room.
sat home, Nell ?" she cried, tapping
softly on the panels of the door.
''Of course I'm at home," said Nell,
brightly, opening it. You dear little
rosebud, you've come just in time to
help me about the pattern for my new
cashmere polonaise. Isn't ita wretched
day ?"
And the two girls were presently deep
in the mysteries of 'bias folds,' 'knife
pleating," and "side cores" until, all of
sudden a surly, masculine voice down
the hall cried
" Where's my breakfast, sayY
want my breakfast Confound all you
women folks, why don't you bring me
my breakfast Am to starve to death!
Nell Mother; Come, wide awake
there Bring my slippersl Fetch the
newspapers, somebody And look sharp
do you hear 2"
And the door was banged shut again
with considerable emphasis.
Nell looked at Lucy with a crimsoning
brow. Lucy opened wide her inquiring
eyes.
It's Eugene, said Nell, in rather an
embarrassed manner. "He was out late
last night, and he oversight himself this
morning"
"Oh ~ said Lucy, beginning to be
conscious that flaw existed in this pat
ent masculine diamond-that this pat
tern of goods washed" but indiffer-
emily.
At this moment footsteps hurried by.
1t was the patient and much enduring
Mrs. Folliott, bringing up the tray OF
toast and tea.
- / wouldn't wait on man so,' said
Lucy, Indignantly.
Presently poor Mrs. Folliott returned
with the tray scarcely touched, ant
stopped in Nell's room to relieve he
mind.
/" He won t touch mouthful, becaus,