The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-02-22
GERT1E DREW.
BY ELOisE.


"Is this where Mr.. Drew ives?"
"Chicky, chicky," scattering hand.
fuls of meal for the little golden, sea
bright bantams. A pretty picture she
made to Guy Walton, with her rnflled
white apron so daintily tied over a fresh
calico, rosy cheeks, dark hair and eyes
At least so thought the young man
leaning with folded arms on the gate
'Is this where Mr.. Drew resides" "
Yes, sir; but my father is not at
home just now. Shall go for him7"
"Will it occasion any trouble?"
mo, sir; walk in until return, u
quickly cleansing her hands, and Offering
him chair upon the veranda.
An unpretentious cottage home, EN-
bowered in roses and vines, surrounded
by itch, fertile acres of golden grain
Tirening fast for harvest time. The
flower beds were full of rare flowers,
neatly kept, and suggestive of cultiva-
tive inmates.
"This will be the very spot for me
to spend my leisure weeks. l hope
my letter of introduction will warrant
me the pleature," his eyes, with a
sweeping glance, taking in the whole
premises, from the cool looking rooms
to the Swiss houses so nicely white
washed for the little chickies
"Nr. Drew" extending his hand
and presenting the letter.
"At your service, sir. My daughter
Gertie Drew. Mr.. Walton. Please in.
form your mother of my new friend,
Gprtie,"
Leaving the two, Gcrtie FASTENED
into the house.
II wish father was not so Hospitality
inclined. Living in Baltimore and be-
ing.wealthy, and out in the country
with only self for maid-of-all. work is a
two sided affair. Mother, imagine
how this city gentleman will slyly won.
der who turns off so much work"
81 know lie will long for house,
keeper just like my own sunny child, If
he ever needs one"
"When we 90 back to Baltimore to
live, how our independence Will astonish
our old friends"-merrily humming
of opera airs.
"Gertie is housekecper, Mr., Walton,
so you need not expect any extra atten>
tion. This is your room, sir"
"My baggage will be forwa 'ded from
the station, as preferred to walk over
instead of remaining over night in such
4 dismal-lOoking town
Every well, Mr.. Walton. l know
you need refreshments. Will assist
Gertie in hurrying tea.'
Guy Walton, handsome as any cav
alier of ancient time, and equally as
tall and masculine locking,
wondered to himself if that little mite
could cook, and what mess he would
have to digeSt-but still, anxiety for
the mess could not let him rest mo.
ment.
"What queer looking creature"
glancing from his wiidow at covered
up girl in coukirgguIse. GLOW en-.
joy this novelty. Glad | have pa
per-"
But let me 60 back 10 the Drew fam
lily, once so aristocratic, owning pala-
tial hone, with all necessary appurtpn.
ances, aud large banking establish.
ment in Baltimore. The tide reversed
and swept all with 1t, ten years ago.
Then Mr., Drew. with no knowledge of
farming, came some fifty miles out, on
his farm, TO retrieve, by the time his
daughter vas grown, all he had lost.
He has been successful, and the family
are locking eagerly forward tua winter
in the city. Gertie was the only child,
and every advantage was given her to
make her superior woman. She had
just finished her education at the P
Institute, and was undergoing a cource
of training from her mother,
GLOW tired | am How dreary and
monotonOus is lite!' Tears were cling
ing to her lashes And yet love this
Independence, and deteSt those Sloven,
good fer nothing girls"
"Gertie, you ae rot provoked at
your father for -
No, mother, was only murmuring
at the little novelty around here to
amuse our visitor" blushing shyly as
she spoke.
"Well. Ict's hurry him something to
put him in good humOr.'
After tea was over Guy ceased to
wonder at the transfUrmat ton of Mi S
Drew, as she entered the parIor in a
neat, cool muslin, with dainty bows of
fresh ribbon and pink moss roses fast
ened in her fashionable coiifure, and as
he listened TO a sweet melody that came
from a grand piano, drifting away in a
chime Of silSery bells, and dashing into
some brilliant popular air.
ado you sing, Miss Drew"
"Under peculiar circumstances.
MAY have the pleasure OF listening
to something from your repertoire OF
muSic?"
"'Tis very limited"
"Sing one favorite, Gertie," chimed
in her father, making her extricatlon
quite impossible.
With flushed cheeks she obeyed, and
suffice to say, all listened spell bound; !;
and, as Guy looked a. GeI,ie Drew,
love shown in his eyes life was only
nonentity without her for him.
Long after the family had retired,
Guy vas thinking of her soul Teasonsng,
so quick at repartee and iadulging as a
Carlyle in sarcasm, aud with each Whit
of smoke that curled laZily up, Gertle's
laughing eyes peeped out, and smiled a
sweet Goodnight, Mr. Walton; LOpe
our milk-mad may not awaken you
early in the morn, with her fOrlon
song"
The next morning Guy with his fish.
ing tackle. started tor the trout stream,
but so absorbed in our little fairy that
his absence was of short duration.
Passing along the end of the cottage,
he heard a soft sweet voice muTmuring
as Gertie read aloud to her mother.
Guy Peeped ,lyly through the lattice,
aud watched the soft, varying expires
sion, aud hastily throwing down fishing
pole aud all his trappings, he entered
the room.
''What succeSs?"
"lll, III, or should still be pulling
the silvery trout. have no practice
sufficient to indulge with no success. A"
"Gertie, you may go and practice"
"Ihank Sou, mOIhtr."