Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-05-18
Washing A Lover.
A rainy dsy IN the country!

DRIP, drip, sounded the water IL the
barrel under the caves; patter, patter,
trickled down the rain drops upon the
leaves of the syringas and lilac bushes;
and Lucy Darl, sitting at the window,
her round chin resting in her hands,
and her eyes fixed dreamily on the
woods, half hidden IN vapory mists,
began 10 feel the least bit in the world
bored.
An open letter. lay in her lap-a letter
to which she referred every now and
then, with pretty, half puzzled con-
traction Of her brows.
wash and wear!' she repeated to
herself. L wonder what Aunt Judith
means? She hopes that which ever OF
my suitors l may select may wash and
wear. Upon my word that is llkening
the lords Of creation toa pattern OF
calico, or a gingham sunbonnetv
And Lucy laughed little very
becoming process, which brought out
the dimples around her cherry lips, and
the dewy sparklss under her long au-
burn lashes.
Pm sure they are born models OF
amiabilily and good temper said she
to her,elt-'that is as far as know
And then all Of a sudden it occurred
to her how little a woman could really
know Of the actual bona fde habits
and character Of a man until she is
married to him, past all escape.
'Ah, if one could peep behind the
scenes, said Lucy. IF one could only
put her lover on trial for a month, as
Aunt Judith takes a servant girl an
discharges her if she don't give salts
faction! And then the wash and wear
question, which gives Aunt Judith 30
much tribulation, could be easily settled
Heighho! 1 believe 1 shall have to
draw lots which shall marry, Eusene e
Folllett or Geo. Haven. But there's
20 use wrlnkling up my forehead about
it now; time will decide. In the mean
time shall be bopeleSsly wearied if 1
sit here staring at the rain. I'll put on
my things and run over to Nell Fol-
liett's. Eugene must have started for
the city long ago.
1t was pretty, shaded road, deli
cious in the freshness Of morning but
rather drippy and dragly just at present
that led 10 the Folliett mansion, a
| sturdy erection Of gray stone, with hall
a dozen honey locusts keeping guard
over it like band Of sentinels.
Lucy Darl, a privileged visitor, did
not ring at the front door tell, but
slipped quietly in at the back door, and
ran up to Miss Folliet's room.
AT home, NellV she cried, tapping
softly on the panels Of the door,
'Ofcourse I'm at home, said Nell,
brightly, opening it. You dear little
rosebud, you've come just in time to
help me about the pattern for my new
polonaise. Isn't it wrstched dayH
And the two girls were presently
deep IN the mysteries Of bias folds, knife
plating and side cores, until, all Of g
sudden, a surly masculine voice down in
the hall cried:
Where's my breakfast, 1 say?
want my breakfast! Confound all you
women folks, why don't you bring me
nv breakfast. Am I to starve to
death? Nell Mother Come, wid c
awake, there Bring my slippers
Fetch the newspapers, somebody And
look sharp, do you hearP
And the door was shut agaia with
considerable emphasis.
i Nell looked at Lucy with crimson
brow, Lucy opened wide her inquiring
eyes.
IT'S Eugene said Nell, in rather an
embarrassed manner. HE was ou
late last night, and he oversight him.
self this morning.
i 'Oh!' said Lucy, beginning 10 b'
conscious that 6aw existed in this
patent masculine diamond .nat this
pattern Of goods washed but indiffer-
emily.
| At this moment footsteps hurried by
l. 1t was the patient and much-enduring
Mrs. Folliett, bringing up the tray o
toast and tea.
4 wouldn't waint on man 80, sai'
Lucy, Indignantly.
Presently poor Mrs. Folliett returned
with the tray scarcely touched, ant
stopped in Nell's room to relieve hel
mind.
He won't touch mouthful, because
1t isn't smoking hot said she with
sigh. He's crosser than one woui'
thiuk possible, and
But she checked herself abruptly a
the sight of Miss Darl.
4 beg your pardon, my DEAR SAT-
she, Il did not see you.'
oh, don't mind me- said Lucl
coloring. I'm going over to Mrs
Hayen's q few minutes to see about
fern she promised to get :me from the
Hartford woods
For it had occurred to Miss Fannl
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