Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-25
PLAIN MISS CAREW.


at Harpswell, quaint old peninsula1
town up Casco bay. don't know just
how we happened to go there, but how
pleased every one was with the old-fash-
Toned houses, and the cottages built on
the banks of pretty coves, ana the Attain
nc booming and laundering and foaming
right under our very windows Dear
little cottages, with piazzas and balconies
and slender chimneys, and poplars bend
ing over the roof lovingly! Ard strong,
more substantial farm houses, with mar
row windows and tiny panes of glass;
gardens filled with peoples and dahhas
and always beautiful; pertumey hlacs,
meadows fresh with buttercups and
clover and tall marguerites. Deep green
woods, fields of corn, and everywhere a
great quantity OF roses. And such mas
slve, rugged rocks, and grand views from
the hills overlooking the sea; and all
over the island that peculiar hoarse, must
cal sound, called the "r0te,' comes in
from the ocean and adds plaintiveness
TO the lovely summer days.
We were party of seven boarders at
O@AS' N1SAAASNh SSttttSHS hI VIC l1CdN VI LIZ
wells cove. 1t was in reality a stout old
house, but some romantic wanderer had
named it Pearl Cottage and as such
We knew it. 1t was the most beautiful
spot imaginable. Had it been verl-
table Eden there could have no softer
beauty than greeted us on every hand
A wide garden frightened the space be-
tween the bank and the house and filled
IN air with perfume. The cove was
shaded by huge willows of hundred
years growth. and many birds sang in
their branches. The soft, caressing
breeze tipged our cheeks with healthy
color, and July sun added not unbe-
coming brewness.
Almost unconsciously we drifted into
familiar, friendly intercourse, and were
happily and easily pleased. Nature, in
her grand moods shames us out of our
artifciality. No one reproved loud
laugh, leap, or even run down the
level road. We were all so happy and
gay, and trimming over with spirits,
that it was simply impossible to be dig
nitied, and curb our unruly, beistrous ma
lures.
We were having delightful row one
evening, and returned rather late. There
was light IN the sitting room, contrary
to our custom, and trunk and bag on
th" piazza.
"Somebody has come cried May Der
~. Here's mans trunk-I can tell by
The canvass-and, yes, here's a card. Oh,
girls. what do you think? It is that Mr..
okidmore we saw the day we went to the
Neck! Isn't it sUlendidi"
so it is" said Mays sister. 'Come
Arre all of you. Mr.. E. Skid
more l wonder how he happened to
come here9 Won't we have jolly
time?"
Victoria" expOstalated her mother.
well, we'll, a nice-looking young man
doesn't come TO HarpswelI every dav.
Y'n haven't seen him, Miss Carew3'
turning to plain, dark-eyed girl. 'He's
immensely wealthy, and has a real gold
brown beard, and fluffy yellow hair,
and blue eyes with brown spots In them,
and"
She mi ght have gone on for an hour
had not hearty laugh from inside the
room startled her
~ beg your pardon, said a deep voice,
and tall figure appeared in the door
way, "but the description was too anus
ing and again merry laugh broke from
him, in which we all Joined.
Il suppose was very rude" said Miss
Derry, ''but the deed is done, and I guess
we'll 90 in and have some lunch"
"If she would only not say 4 guess
whispered her mother. at is quite pie
,iuian."
We found Mr.. Skidmore a delightful
addition to our party. OF good family,
wealthy, a thorough man OF tie world,
and handsome, he had everything in his
favor. The Derrys were, to use Victo-
ria : phraseology, "over head and ears in
love with him. and the gentlemen voted
hun capital fellow. He played croquet
with a steady arm and never-failing
stroke, rowed well, sang delicious little
songs in tender, manly voice, read aloud
when it was too hot for exercise, and
made himself a most attractive COM
panion. From the first he seemed to
positively dislike plain Miss Carew. In
our games he avoided her noticeably,
never willingly looking at or speaking to
her. Did she propose an excursion, he
declined to participate; did she sing
sweet, old-fashioned songs we liked 50
much, he left the room. One evening
she had crimson rOsebuds in her hair, and
he said crimson rosebuds were his special
aversion. Once IN stepping from the
boat, coming from sail, ne. offered his
hand to assist her, and almost flung hel
ashore. he seemed to have taken an un
accountable antipathy to her.
One morning was braiding my hail
when there came arap on my door, and
Miss Carew askee to come in. She was
dressed in a blue flannel boating suit
and white shutdown was pulled dowr
over her face. Knots of scarlet ribbon
were on her sleeves and down the front Of
her dress. | noticed an unusual color II
the brown cheeks, and her brown eyes
were moist looking.
"You have been crying, Miss Carew,
said; "are you unhappy2"
mot exactly unhappy, Miss Arden,
she answered, in her slow, sweet, Eegat
voice. "Only troubled, and rather vexed
"Can help you9"
mo, thank you. You are very kind
but it is nothing, after all. l came t
ask if you will be good enough to let m
take your umbrella9 / am going to tn
east shore and have been stupid enough
to let Miss Derry take mine.'
"Certainly," l said; and if you"
A loud, boyish laugh interrupted me
'Now, let me in, quick I've somethin
to tell you, Miss Arden ~ and May Derr
hurst into the room. I've found out al
about Miss Carew," she said, breathlessl,
'sand why Mr.. Skldmore hates her an
all. l have just Oh, Miss Carewl" sh
cried, II didn't see you. l beg you