Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-08-11


er book Mt home"
And so Clara found herself gradually
degenerating into the merest household
drudge. She went nowhere and saw
nobody.
pretty - Mrs. Brushby would scorn-
fully remark when neighbor chanced
to hazard IN opinion concerning hel
niece.
Nonsense Just exactly like color
less celery sprout, and never word tc
say for herself p
And if by chance Clara was invited to
join in any of the neighborhood festivi-
ties, Mrs. Brushby made haste to de-
cline for her.
"Clara never goes out" she said.
"She has no taste for such things, poor
dear"
Until people began to believe that
Clara Cone was either recluse or an
idiot.
The pale factory girl had just taken
the teapot off the stove, upon this espe-
cial evening, when Mrs. Brushby uttered
an exclamation of surprise.
"Whisk the things into the closet,
quick, Clara, said she. "Put the bread
behind the family Bible. Don't leave
that bottle of pickles on the mantle. Mr..
Selwyn is coming"
A minute and half later Mrs. Brush
by, in her best black silk apron, greeted
the clergyman with her sweetest smile.
"My visit is intended to your niece,
Miss Cone, as we'll as to yourself, " said
Mr.. Selwyn, after the topic of the wea-
ther had been duly discussed.
go, Clara" said Mrs. Brushby, sim
pering-"Clara wishes to be excused
Clara sees no company. really regret
the dear girls eccentricity, but"
And she rolled her green eyes heaven
ward, with deprecating motion of the
hands.
'She never comes to church, said Mr..
Selwyn, gravely.
"Ah-h-h !! groaned Mrs. Brushby,
cher heart is like the neither milestone.
If you knew, dear Mr.. Selwyn, how l
have striven with her -
Mr. Selwyn looked cornered.
81 am beginning a series of sermons
to young people next Sunday evening.
Pray use your endeavors to induce this
young girl to attend"
And Mrs. Brushby promised that she
would, and the young clergyman took
his leave.
"You must !" said Mrs. Brushby.
"Please, aunt, don't ask me ~ said
Clara, with tears in the limpid eyes.
"What a goose you are y said Mrs.
Brushby. Gas if it made any earthly
difference And 1 must have the dress
to wear to church tomorrow evening.
Mr.. Selwyn is to preach the first of a
series of sermons to young people, and
I'm specially interested in 'em."
'But I never sewed on Sunday in my
life."
"The dressmaker has disappointed
me, and must have the dress A few
seams more or less, what do they matter?
I'll risk your soul And nobody need
ever know. Only think, Clara Cone,
what I have done for you"
"On, aunt, can't p cried Clara, in
choked voice. It wouldn't be right"
"And who sat you up as Judge Of
right and wrong, I'd like to know?"
almost screamed Mrs. Brushby. ''Now
take your choice either finish up this
dress for me, or leave the house"
Clara was silent for a moment. Then
she spoke.
81 will leave the house." she said.
"And l fully approve of your decision, "
said Mr.. Selwyn's voice, as he stepped
in from the open-doored portico, where
his knock had been drowned by the
high accents of Mrs. Brushby. leave
the house, Miss Cone, and I will see
that refuge is provided for you at the
home of Miss. Foxe"
Mrs. Brushby stood startled and dis
mayed. Clara Cone, pale and silent,
laid her hand on the minister's arm and
left the room and the house.
Honest Miss Foxe was amazed when
Clara Cone took refuge with her.
"Well," she declared. 81 always
knew that Cornelia Brushby was a
regular grinder, but I did suppose she
had some Christian decency about her
Yes, child, you are welcome to my spare
room, and l sha'n't charge you any
board. dare say you will lend q hand
now and then, when I'm busy; and yom
company will be O deal of comfort t.
me-"
But Miss Foxe didn't have that "com,
fort" long, Mr.. Selwyn had become
interested in the pale, clear eyed factory
girl, and, before the wild roses bios
somed along the verge of the woods, the
parsonage had a mistress, and Mr.. Sci
wyn no longer came under the head OF
unmarried clergymen.
Mrs. Brushby's tender aspirations
were blighted in the bud; but bald.
headed old bachelor bought the factory
just about that time, and Mrs. Brushby
transferred her attentions to the new.
comer-and, with many mods and winks