The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-11-17
GOOD FOR NOTHING
BY IMoGENE H. SYKES.


Crash went the beautiful cut-glass
vase on the stone steps, and down at
the feet of the culprit lay the crushed
roses amid the glittering ruin.
ooh Maud ?" cried a low, grieved
voice.
A white robe, dainty and perfumed,
flashed through the open door in angry
haste, and paused beside the bingham
dress of the culprit.
81 knew IL" retorted a high-pitched
voice, in calm despair. each day sees
my opinion OF you verified, Kathleen
You are not to be trusted !''
"Surely, Maud, you do not think I
purposely broke your vase p asked the
grIl in bingham, looking half proudly at
the angry face of her elegantly-clad COM
panion.
Maud Severn shrugged her shoulders
she had learned how from her French
master; and with her head on one side,
the action gave her quite a foreign air,
she thought.
"What matters it whether you did it
poselpury or not ?' she retorted. con-
temptuously. "Those great, awkward
hands OF yours are forever doing mis-
chief-they are truly good for nothing !"
Kathleen looked down at her brown
hands, and smiled sadly.
True" she said, as she bent down
and gathered up the lovely roses, that
seemed to cling tenderly to the 1.-the
brown tingers-''true, good for nothings
as things count in your world, Maud;
but we are not at the end of time yet,
and my record may read differently,
then !"
"What nonsensel You will never be
ladylike or grateful, so do your best
with your other virtues ?" cried Maud
angrity, as the proud, quiet manner Of
the other betrayed a natural dignity she
could not initiate. "Put the roses in an
other vase, and clear away that rub
bish."
Kathleen was looking at the broken
glass with glad relief in her face
II can mend this, Cousin Maud" she
quietly. said; "and it can be used with
safety"
at will take gentler fingers than
yours" laughed Maud, coolly. "But do
as you please. Only, Kathieen'-she
paused at the door, looking back over
her shoulder-"you needn't think il
worth while to appear tonight Mamma
thinks three unmarried daughters suf-
ticient to entertain the guests with
out"
"a portionless niece of her dead hus-
and's" quietly interrupted the young
irl, with a far away smile. 81 under
tand, Maud. Don't think shall regret
t. do not like good for nothings any
more than you do"
Maud stamped her foot angrily.
"At least the new doctor is good foI
somethingP ~ she cried, eagerly, betray-
ing her own her tactics for the evening
$50 he should be, to fill the position
he assumes. trust he has more ambi
ton than vanity, or poor Clifford will
suffer-"
Kathleen carried the vase within
doors, and though she was quick nj re-
partee, there were fears none the less in
her gray eyes, and wistful pain in heI
heart.
But she quickly completed her task o.
arranging the table and flowers, besides
numerous little touches to fruits anG
ices, without which the effect would
have been marred, if left to the one
clumsy servant, or the indolent dauph
ters of the house.
When all was done, she felt free &c
seek her own pleasure on that Lowell,
June evening. And a strange pleasure
1t was for one so young!
She took down broad brimmed hal
from it's familiar hanging place behinC
the kitchen door-it was needed toe
often in her daily duties to rest idly be
side her cousins, on the hall rack-anC
in her simple Bingham dress, with it,
neat, white collar, fastened Quickly
through the back garden out on to the
highway, and took the road to the vii
lage.
1.-THE new doctor I" she pondered
"Ah, how he has disappointed me !
did hope that a clever, earnest physi,
clan would come to Clifford, and hell
the poor folk, and instead we have
fashionable, gay young man, who FREE
quents lawn parties and flirts with silly
girls. Oh, if were only man ~
Kathleen was crossing muddy patel
in the road as she arrived at this wish
and making quick spring TO the dry
side OF the road, turned her ankle with
a sickening pain and fell PROSTATE upoI
the grassy bank.
"Oh, dear! Maud is right, after all, ,
she moaned in despair, half comical anC
vet painful withal. 1.-TWO miles from tn,
village or home, on a bylane very few
frequent, and unable to move with
sprained ankle"
And after summing up her position
Kathleen first laughed, then cried.
"Poor old grannyp' she sobbed. "Sh,
will think have deserted her, and sht
is so poor and i'll, with no one to car,
for her but me, and now can not go Il
her"
perhaps I can help you," said
pleasant voice, from the bank allow
her.
Looking up quickly, Kathleen met
pair of frank, brown ewes, that looke'
sensible enough to help her in her fool
ish predicament.
81 don't know" she began dubious
ly.
We'll, there's nothing like trying,
laughed the man on the bank, and dow
he came with flying leap to her side
What's is it? Broke anything, ell 2'
Kathleen had to laugh, he was 81
pleasant and bI eezy.
ooh, no; only twisted my ankle" sh
said, shyly.
"Only Humphl You are used t,
making light Of great matters, l Sec"
And to Kathleen's horror down h
dropped on his knees and coolly tool
possession of her foot.
$50 much for wearing low shoe" h