Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1881-03-25
THE VILLAGE BELLE.

She was very beautiful. No one could
conscientiously dispute it. OF course
there were many who did dispute IL
though, more especially those of hel
owl, sex. Unsuccessful applicants, also
/ her nothing out Of the common ;
after, not before, You may be sure, they
had met with a firm rejection at hel
hands.
Yes, Clara Moore was very beauti
full girl. Such a food of golden hair
such regular and exquisitely -chiseled
features, and such a beautiful complex
ion.
She held only an humble position il
life
Her mother kept the first shop in the
village, kind Of general store, where
vow could purchase aay aythiDg and every.
thing, from ball Of string to box Of
pills.
The village in which she dwelt was
very small but very pretty. Every one
seemed TO take pride in his particular
cottage, and endeavored to vie with his
neighbors in maintaining picturesque
ness and cleanliness.
Through this charming little home.
stead ran trout stream, and hither oc.
casionally in the summer months would
resort some lover of the rod and line
an importation from some crowded scene
of tumult and money making.
In the village inn there was not ac-
commodations for more than three OF
four visitors-that is to say, if they pur-
posed staying all night-but at several
cottages apartments could be obtained.
Mrs. Moore was among those who
could furnish comfortable rooms for a
gentleman, and few summers went by
without her apartments being let.
1t was on bright morning in the
merry month of May when Francis Cox
knocked at the private door of Mrs.
Moore's residence.
He was very good-looking fellow at
first sight; Just the sort of face his that
would take with woman. But when
you came to look into it, it betrayed q
great amount of weakness and the eyes
though not unprepossessing altogether
in their expression, were set 100 closely
/ together
/ Mrs. Moore was busy in the shop
\ Clara had been looking after the house
hold work, and she it was who opened
the door to Nh. Cox.
Haw!" he exclaimed, in an affected
and somewhat domineering tone of voice
81 see you have rooms to let l wish t.
look at them"
"Wiu you step inside ?' responded
I Clara, who was rather nettled at hi
manner of address, and consequent,
did not say sir" which she otherwis,
would have done.
"Doocid small, amt they?' said Mr.
Cox, putting up his eyeglass and sur
veying Clara with a half-astonished
half-indignant air.
"They are naturally small" answered
Clara, "this being but cottage"
" Haw of course f; one cannot expect
a palace in an out-of-the-way place like
shis.'' he aeassonaeI-
The remark as to its being an out-of
! he-way place was intended either t.
annoy Clara, or to impress her with TIN
idea that she was addressing on
who was accustomed to the grandeu
and importance of cities.
1t failed, however, in both instances
"There is another thing" observe
Clara, (Which will probably rende
them unsuitable to you-they are cor
nected with the shop"
Connected with the shop?" e1
claimed Mr.. Cox, in an evident stat
Of perplexity.
Yes" said CLARA, the door 70
knocked at is the private entrance t
the same building as that with whic
the shop is connected"
They were now standing in the sma
sitting room. Clara pointed to I'll
door at the other side Of the passage.
THAT door," she exclaimed, "leaC
into the sohop which mother keep
Now do you understands"
ooh haw Yes. | understand"
A slight pause followed, during whic
Mr.. Coxs urveyed the room through h
eye'glass He then said:
That wouldn't matter at all if IL
rooms suited. What is the fgure?"
Two dollars per week, including a
tendance"
"Haw May look at the bedroom
Certainly"
He followed Clara upstairs.
It's considerably larger than IL
sitting-room," observed Mr.. Cox.
-~zsA%es; it is over the passage
we'll"
Exactly and only four dollars
week, includings attendance ?"
1.-TWO dollars said Clara, looking
him
1.-Two dollars Two dollars onl.
Surely you must be mistaken"
"No, 1 am mistaken"
Excuse me but how on earth CT
It pay you?" -,
"Oh, people. can live on so little
an out-of-the-way place like this, a
swered Clara.
"Haw! I" exclaimed Mr.. Cox, W
could not repress a smile very, goo
l always thought rustic life blunt
the understanding ;. l see | am m
taken. l hope you did not think I
Intentionally rude"
He made this apology in such nj
manner that Clara's animosity began
take rapid fight.
"Oh, dear, no." she said, and tn
she conducted him downstairs
4, 4. uTon r. ,-o,,slI bava mo Ohspry