The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-08-19
GIT WAS TO BE.o


BY L. NJ.
"Indeed I'll not do any such thinsl
The idea J" .....l -
-Germaine crested her shining brown
head Indignantly, and looked straight
back in Constance Merrivale's eyes.
Outside the cottage gate-and such
tiny, picturesque cottage it was
where Germaine had lived all the
days of her life, with honeysuckles
and roses climbing to the very chim-
ney tOps-outsidc the little gate Miss
Mcrrivale's carriage stood in waiting.
Inside. Miss Constance was sitting
at her ease in GernaiIe de Coucry's
mothers favoritc chair, looking at
Gernlaine with an air of surprise,
while beside her on another chair, lay
a roll of white delicate lace and de-
licious pink satin ribbon.
Il really think you had better re-
consider your decision. Miss de Cour-
cy, and make this dress for me. /
know the price is not very good, but
then, You see, if it wasn't that my
maid is ill, it wouldn't cost me any
thing to get it thrown together. And
really eight and six is all / can think
of paying"
And then Gcrmaine arched her neck
and shot out flashing glance from
her lovely, spirited eyes, that had
such fascinating, lurid shadow among
the vclvcty brown tints.
''lndced Pil not do any such thing!
The idea! For eight AMI six! There
will be ruffies and puflings, and in
scrtions and plaitimgs. There will be
three days hard work to get up such
a dress. Thank you, Miss Merrivale,
poor as we are, and as much rs we
IIee,i money, 1 will not touch your
dress OH such terms. I'D rather sell
matches for living"
Miss Merrivalc archcd her brows
in Ianguid surprise, and a little vicious
snap came to her blue eyes.
How exceedingly peculiar you are
in your expressions, Miss de COurcy !
Well, then, just roll up the material
and take it out to the carriage. And
l am quite sure it is the last time l
shall attempt to be charitable to you
-indeed, / really think when people
are so independent as you are, they
deserve to suffer-" 4qu .ilG
Germaine quietly rearranged the
fleccy parcel, her checks paling,. her
brown eyes flashing rs Miss Merrivale
slowly let fall her cold, insOlent words.
Then. rs Miss Merrivalc arose from
the chair and took up the train Of her
gray silk and gray velvet carriage
dress, Gcrmaine finished tying the
neat, light parcel. .sl- .i-I ti..-
"There is your dress you are just
as strong and able to carry it to your
carriage as am, Miss Merrivale. My
mother needs my attention. Please
excuse me. Good morning." fa
And as a princess might dismiss a
claimant for her bounty-graciously
haughtily, positiveIy-this proud lit
tie GeImaine dismissed the daughter
of the second great man in the neigh
borhood = Howard Merrivale, who
kept a retinue of servants, and lived
in magnificent palace that was only
second in importance TO- that of the
estate, Stonebank, as he
was second to the owner and
heir of Stonebank, who, for the first
time in ten years was coming back
home, to take up his permanent abode,
much to the intense satisfaction OF So
ciety in general, and-Constance
Merrivale in particular. l
anu-UcI lEtluC aC OOAAOy "OuAA
not make tho new dress for her to
wear. 11.- -a
A sky blue as a sapphire, and q de-
licious breeze blowing that brought
the rich color to Gernainc de COur-
cy's cheeks as she walked along the
paths in the lovely, silent woods at
tachcd to Stonebank. 1t had been
only twenty -four hours since she had
SO Indignantly refused to make Con-
stance Merrivale's dress, and during
those twenty four hours she had been
very seriously thinking what would
be the very best way for her to earn
some money-for the exchequer at
home was running quite low, and
there was nobody to replenish it but
herself.
So, walking along, her hat swinging
from her arm, she was suddenly
startled by the tearing of a monstrous
dog among the underbrush, coming
straight towards her, barking loudly,
and, natural consequence, terrifying
her into q scream. just as tall,
handsome fellow sprung out from. the
same underbrush, with an authOritiye
shout to the dog.
"Down, sir. Off, Lion" Then,
doffing his felt shooting-hat to Ger
maine, al beg your pardon-I had 10
idea we should meet anyone, or l
would not have allowed Lion such
liberty" .r.,.......
But Germaine was too frightened
and too angry to .raciously accept the
graceful, smiling apology. Her voice
was full of indignation rs she brushed
the mud off her lawn dress carefully.
81 don't see why haven't as much
right here as you have-yes, and a
great deal more, for l am not a nui-
sance as your dog, and"
She involuntarily hesitated and col
ored before adding the remainder of
her saucy remark, which the gentle-
man seemed exactly to understand.
Granted that Lion and are mere
nuisances-but you will understand
we are both strangers i'll this vicinity,
and are not au fat in the customs
Do grant your pardon,
and allow me to atone for my awk-
in any way you choose"
lie was certainly the hands0mest