The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-05-06

past alteration"
$50 much the better" retorted
Harry. 81 can have 1t all my own way,
and that l could never get from you"
"And never shall, " returned Clara,
glancing at the little bird of teacher,
who on her part did not look alto,
gether satisfied. "Come, Cousin
Harry, aunty says you must be at home
early, since you have company, so sci
your things to rights and go now with
me-"
L egirls stood waiting for the young
carpenter,
GLOW ye1atious Harry H." said
Clara. I'VE have planned hours to-
gether, ever since we were the merest
children, and now it is downright pro-
voking that he should commence build
ing without so much as acquainting me
with his intentions. l he. rd he was at
work here, but never supposed it was
for himself until two days ago, and l
have come mp just to have hand in the
business. Old times give me pretty
fair right to do SO, any one might
allow"
Clara paused to survey the grounds
with lofty air of proprietorship, and
patted her foot to the E,5,nming of a
prima donna waltz. Poor Molly could
hardly keep back her tears or maintain
her dignity by an assumed indifference,
or still worse, think of something to
say that should relieve q silence which,
to one at least, was embarrassing. But
finally she venturcd the fortunate rela-
tive arrangement of the trees, which, as
they were twenty years cid, might
safely be approved without suspicion
of cOncoit or vanity.
"They are well enough to be sure"
replied Clara. "But what an idea to
plant that thicket of roses and what not
besides so near the house-a regular
hole for toads and brooding bens-to
say nothing of the garden coming so far
in front. Cabbages in sight of the par
lor windows -"
"No, the flowers will screen them,"
said Molly, trying to laugh.
Maybe-the cabbages, but nothing
shorter than sunAowers and hollyhocks
can hide the bean poles. Plainly, I
shall give Harry a lecture on taste, and
have the whole affair swept farther back.
We used to arrange our establishments
in a rather more stylish manner"
Molly could not imagine who should
have a better light.to locate the garden
than herself, with her lovers approval,
and she very naturally indulged posi-
tive mental vindication Of the beauty
of Towering bean vines, and of
the convenience and economy of
large patch of cultivated ground.
However, Clara did not lecture her
cousin as they all went down street to-
gether, but told him about the new
music which she had brought up, just
suited to his melodeon, and that he must
find his flute and they must practice
that evening and asked him if Farmer
Doane still kept Snow White, that
wonder among saddle horses, and if the
sweet flag yet grew down in the meadow,
and if he knew that she was pro-
fcient in leather work, and was ready
to frame some of his handsome en-.
cravings so he would help her about the
painting and vanishing And thus she
ratified on, with her quick, gentle voice,
and the facinating play of her gloved
hands, just leaving spaces for Harry's
replies, but scarcely an opportunity for
Molly to put in word edgewise. OF
course the poor little teacher could not
shine had that been her forte. Harry
did not go round the corner to Mr..
Browns gate as was his habit, because
Clara was impatient to get her bonnet
of, and Molly said it was no matter.
"Come over and see us tonight"
said Harry.
Molly made hesitating reply, saying
neither this nor that.
"Not if 1 will go for you ?" persisted
Harry.
"Tis no way to urge lady beyond
her convenience we don't like it, do
we, Molly?" exclaimed Clara, slipping
her hand into her cousins arm. "But
if you will stay at home, then Harry
and ] will call upon you; but not to.
night, however, for we must have the
music lessons"
Molly leaned on the gate aud watched
the cousins slowly going along the ru.
ral street, as they twice or thrice ap-
peared through some distant aperture
in the foliage, and then, without look
at her pansies or canaries, went heavily
to her chamber, and, oblivious of
score of pleasant little duties, such as
were won't to beguile her time until
Harry came in the evening, sat down to
her very dubious cogitations. She had
always found rival in Clara whenever
that young lady made her appearance,
which was not infrequently and when,
six months before, Harry Lane, the
very prince and pearl of village swains,
declared that she, his own Molly, was
dearer to him than all the world beside,
she had wondered if Cousin Clara was
80. ....I. q. ,.,I o,,o,t Il H.. l., ,I,, Ii 49,