The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-08-19
Selert Story.
THE LUCKY SOVEREIGN.

They made, strikingly contrasting
picture standing in the warm June twi-
light, and the fragrant odors of the roses
and the budding grapevines fingered
around them as if the tender scents we're
fitting tributes to them.
Two fair young girls, the same age to
an hour, and unlike as sisters could be,
aud each a perfect type OF her own style
OF loveliness-bo of them peeresses in
their royal dover OF beauty.
Rose stood leaning against the railing
Of the veranda, her naughty eyes, that
could melt from the cool, brilliant gray
they now looked, into such liquid dark
ness when occasion rcquircd-splendid,
calm, cool eyes-wer roaming away out
into the gathering dusk that was falling
in purple gray vail Of tissue over wood
and lawn.
She turned her face toward her COM
panion. Her eyes suddenly called in
their wandering, listless glances, and
showing la half-vexed, hall-amused ex-
preston.
saBell, how much longer are we going
to stay here2-at least how much longer
do you want to stop2 j am sure shall
die of ennui il / have much more OF it.
esOh, don't think of going back to
town yet, Rose. l wish we might never
haveto CO."
"Never 60 back2 Why, Bell, is it pos
sible yon are so infatuated With the couu-
try as to actually wish that2 Child, for
three months it is all very well TO bury
ones self as we are buried, and I've no
doubt mamma will feel much better aud
stronger for it; but to stay longer In a
hired cottage, with only one haH-grown
girl 20 assist in the work, and no amuse-
menls Of any sort, and our joint stock
of earnings exhanstiug itself daily--I
tell you, Bell, prefer our own suite Of
rooms at home.~ and my music scholars
and your bookkeeping, with chance Of
occasional enjoyment" 3ah eliH ~,
j II dare say you are right, dear. But
/ do love the country
$50 would if, for instance, lived in
the mansion over yonder-FernleY
Court, you know-where the stately
housekeeper showed Us through and de-
scanted upon the many.qualities and vas,
wealth of the owners. forgot to tell
you, Bell, thatthere will be grand re-
ceprion given wesk after he gets back.
4 ~ T. haur1x, ~
Bell lifted her eyes in graceful little
gesture OF surprise.
"a receptionl Oh, Rose! Aud OF
course tbere'll be dance. Oh, dear,
how I'd like to co.
"Of course you'd like to 60. But do
you think for a moment that the aris,o.
cratic families around here would conde-
sceud to associate With US.
Bells face grew stern.
"Why notp We are ladies born aud
bred il we 10 work for living"
"You foolish child. I can tell you
our faces and handsome dresses-if we
had them-yould take us where our fam
lily name would not. And can tell you
something else, Bell
The little gate at the roadside opeIed
at that instant, and the sound of tagging
footsteps coming toward the house in
terrupted Roses remark and then dus-
ty, travel l-stained man paused at the foot
of the steps and touched his dingy hal
rim to the girls.
He was evidently one Of the many re-
spectacle, discouraged, ,disheartened men
one 30 often seesitramping through the
country in search of work.
I 4Rose, drew herself up: 4
"Go away. We have nothing for you.
We don't encourage tramps here"
He touched his hat4-the rim vas de-
cidedly battered and dusty.
81 beg your pardon, ladies, but il you
viii give me a--" -. - ass
Rose swept across the floor angrily.
"Will you march off. or will have
the dog set on you? Bell, 60 tell Jane
to unfasten Rover"
The man turned away slowly, as if to
move was an effort, and Bell sprung up
in an impulse Of remonstrative protest.
"Rose, how can you be 80 heartless
He is as pale as death, and only see how
he drags himself! You might have let
him sit down o minute and at least have
given him a kind word and piece Ol
bread and butter"
A contemptuous laugh pesled from
Rose's red lips. @ i
"Tired and i'll! Drunk and thief
you'd better say. A piece Of bread and
butter! Absurd, Bell!"
Bell raised her finger wsrningly.
"Oh Rose, don't; he'll hear you."
Rose raised her voice key higher.
"Let him hear, then! Perhaps you
had better sit and watch that he don't
faint and fall.''
She swept haughtily into the house,
leaving Bell with her cheeks flushing and
a compassion born OF the sweet woman.
ly sympathy glowing in her blue eyes as
she watched the man walk slowly, pain
fully along. and finally halt at The gate as
If in utter discouragement at the long
stretch of road between him and the
next house, where he might find what
Rose had rudely denied-the magni6-
cent country seat Of Lionel Granville
from whose doors no beggar was ever
turned away hungry.
Bell saw him, and her quick instincts
told her what she imagined his manner
meant.
Quick as bird, she dashed up stairs
to her room and snatched her portemon.
naie from. the bureau drawer and was
down again with sovereign in her hand
as she ran swiftly after him, still leaning
against the gate-post, and still looking
with that same strange expression on his
pale face at the towers OF Fernley Court
"Here, please. 1t isn't much, but it'i
all l have to spare. Take It,"
He looked surprisedly at her and ther
at the money.
"You are very kind, but you are mis-
taken. I only want A."
"Bell, thrust the money into bis hand
"Never mind, please. I think car
see you are proud; but please take 1t
There!" 3;
He seemed amused at her eagerness
but made no more ado about accepting
the gift and pocketing it,as he stood anC
watched her slim figure fitting away likt
a spirit in the dusk.
The next day Rose came into Bell,
room, radiant as che only permitted her