The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-10
THE DAILY STAR
CORNELIA.

have it no common pattern, not for a
good deal!"
II am sure it will be beautiful" said
Cornelia Carrick, balancing the dainty
thimble on her taper fingers, and looking
out over the golden midsummer land
scape to where Jason Hay was reaping
on the sunshiny uplands.
The blackbird was singing in its wicker
cage, where the hop-vine swung tssseled
TUFTS of green over the farmhouse door.
"Ifs dreadfully dull" thought Cor
nelia. "If it wasn't for that handsome
Jason / wouldn't stay here another dayw
For Miss Carrick, having danced the
roses from her cheek and nearly destroyed
her digestion by lobster salad, iced cham
pagne and pate de foie gras at o'clock
In the morning, had been sent out in the
country to recruit" with plenty of
worsted-work patterns, box of books
and set of croquet.
And the Hay Farm had been selected
q the headquarters of Hygeia by old DIR.
Doddridge.
= But even while these ungrateful med
itations passed through Miss Carrick's
brain, Mrs. Hay watched her, and
thought she never had seen a lovelier
person in all her life.
"She's as pretty as picture" she
thought, "and it's plain enough that
she's getting partial to our Jason.
Jason was always high-minded, and
there's not girl in all the neighbor-
hood for ten miles round would have
suited him.
"Delf-ware wouldn't satisfy him; it's
the fancy china he wants. And l don't
know but it's natural enough"
Cornelia Carrick was very fair to look
upon, as she sat there, in her pale, blue
muslin.
She was blonde, with a skin like a
white rose leaf, great innocent blue eyes,
with silky-brown fringes and dropping
white lids, and h irlike mist of floating
vaporous gold-hair that she twisted in a
marvellous and enchanting fashion, which
a was perpetual source of wonder to the
country girls in the. vicinage, who saw
Miss Carrick in her walks and once
week at church.
And she had guitar with her. to
which she sang all sorts of delicious little
ballads and barcaroles; and she took long
strolls in the woods. and altogether Hay
Farm was different place when Miss
Carrick was there.
Honest, stalwart Jason himself became
as it were transformed, in the light of
the sunny-haired enchantress' smiles.
Mother" he said, wistfully, "do YOU
suppose it is possible that she can care
for rough country fellow like me-"
II don't want to hatter you, my boy,"
said she, patting his shoulder, "but l
think she likes you pretty well. There's
one thing at least, faint heart never won
fair LADY, SO take courage"
And Jason, who, unlike most modern
young men, believed that his mother was
one Of the wise women of the world, took
hope accordingly and accompanied Cor
nelia on her expeditions. Until at
length a letter came from London, and
Cornelia announced to her hostess that
she must 60 back to the city next day.
Mrs. Hay broke out into exclamations
of regret and depreciation. but Jason said
never word.
But Cornelia could see he had grown
very pale.
81 am so obliged to you. both for the
delightful summer l have had," said
she, sweetly. II shall miss dear Hay
Farm sadly; but mamma wishes me to
60, and of course my first duty is to
"Cornelia," said the good matron,
smiling with conscious pride, "you must
take the Jobs Troubles bed-quilt home
with you. It's all quilted and lined,
and bound, as neat as pink, though I
ray it that shouldn't say it. And l
meant it for you all along"
"For me! That beautiful bed-ouilt?
Oh, Mrs. Hay, ought not take it,"
eyes, but you ought" said Mrs. Hay.
"1t's for you. And Jason will 20 back
with you. 1t isn't proper that you
should travel alone"
81 couldn't think of troubling him."
pooed Cornelia, with a sidelong flash
from under the silky brown lashes.
'rTroubleW
This was the only word that Jason
Hay spoke, but Cornelia understood him
for all that, and the soft, velvety bloom
came to her cheek.
She laughed to herself that night as
She packed the quilt into her trunk.
"Horrid, old-fashioned thingp said she,
curling her short upper lip. at takes
up more room than it is worth; but what
can ! do? 1t may answer for the serv-
ants bed"
And she erept into the elavender-scented
sheets and fell fast asleep; while in the
next room poor Jason lay wide awake
with throbbing heart.
Miss Carrick," he said, the next day,
as he drove her to the railway station,
I'll want to say something to you; and
yet / hardly think it is necessary, for you
must know, without my putting it into
words, that / love you."o
"Oh, Pm so sorry~ lisped Cornelia,
opening the blue eyes wide, and clasping
together her tiny white hands, where
there was dimple at each Joint.
"Pm sure / never meant-I hadn't on,x