South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-04-29
WASHING "A LOWER.
A rainy day in the country T,

lilacsbushes; and Lucy Darl, sitting
at the window, her round chin resting
IN her hands, and her ewes fixed
dreamily on the woods, half hidden
IN vapory mists, began to 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 puz-
zled contraction of her brows.
Wash and wearp she repeated to
herself. Il wonder what Aunt Ju-
dith means :? She hopes that which
ever OF my suitors l may select may
wash and wear. Upon my word that
is likening the lords Of creation to a
pattern OF calico, or bingham sun
bonnet!'
And Lucy laughed little-a very
becoming process, which brought out
the dimples around her cherry lips,
and the dewy sparkles under her long
auburn lashcs.
I'm sure they are born models of
amlabllity and good temper said she
to herself-'that is rs far as | know
And then all of Il sudden it occur.
red to her how little woman could
really know Of the actual bona fide
habits and character of man until
she Is married to him, past all escape.
'Ah, if one could peep behind the
SCENES said Lucy. IF one could on.
ly put her lover on trial for q month,
rs Aunt Judith takes q servant Girl
and discharges her if she don't give
satisfaction And then the wash and
wear question, which gives Aunt Ju-
dith so much tribulation, could be
easily settled. Heighho l believe
L shall have to draw lots which
shall marry, Eugene Folliett Or Geo.
Haven. But there's no use wrnll-
ling up my forehead about it now :;
time will decide. In the meantime
| shall be hopelessly wearied if sit
here staring at the rain. I'll put on
my things and run over to Nell Fol-
let's. Eugene must have started for
the city long ago.
IL was pretty, shaded road, deli
cious III the freshness of morning, but
rather drippy and dragly just at pres
ent, that led to the Follictt mansion,
a sturdy erection of gray stone, with
half dozen honey locusts keeping
guard over it like g band of sent.
nels
Lucy Darl, q privileged visitor, did
not ring at the front door bell, but
slipped quietly in at the back door,
and ran up TO Miss Folliett's room.
| sat home, Nell p she cried, tap
ping softly on the panels of the door.
OF course I'm at home, said Nell.
brightly, opening it. You dear lit
tie rosebud, you've come just in time
to help me about the pattern for my
new polonaise. Isn't 1t a wretched
day.
And the two girls were presently
deep in the mysteries of bias folds.
knife plating and side cores, until,
all of a sudden, surly masculine
voice down in the hall cried:
Where's my breakfast, l say l
want my breakfast! Conlound all
you women folks, why don't You
bring me my breakfast. Am | to
starve to death Nell! Mother !!
Come, wide awake, there Bring
my slippers! Fetch the newspapers.
somebody! And look sharp, do you
hear p
And the door was shut again with
considerable emphasis.
Nell looked at Lucy with q Grim
son brow, Lucy opened wide her in
curing eyes.
It's Eugenc,' said Nell, in rather
an embarrassed manner. 'He was
out late last night, and he OVERSIGHT
himself this morning.
'Ohr said Lucy, beginning to be
conscious that flaw existed IN this
patent masculine diamond that this
pattern ofgood5 washed but indiffer-
emily.
at this moment footsteps hurried
by. IL was the patient and much-en-
during Mrs. FolIiett, bringing VI the
tray Of toast and tea.
i wouldn't wait on n man so, said
Lucy, Indignantly.
Presently poor Mrs. Folliett re.
turned, with the tray scarcely touch.
Cd, and stopped in Ncll's room TO re.
lieve her mind.
lie won't touch a mouthful. be-
cause it isp't smoking hot said She
with a sigh. Hes crosser than one
would think possible, and
But she checked herself abruptly
OF the sight Of Miss Darl.
q beg your pardon, my dear sais
she, Il did not see Won
'Oh, don't mind me-, said Lucy
coloring. I'm going over to Mrs.
! llavcn's a few minutes to see about
fern she promised to got me from the
/ Hartford woods
For it had occurred 10 Miss Fanny
that this was an excellent opportunity
10 test the washing and wearing ouaj-
/ ificn of fbc second oC bar I,,,e,,., III