The Osceola times., 1881-07-02
JESSIE.

lhere sne STOOD, out OF all harms way,
upon the table; her short skirts gathered
close in one little hand, and the broom
tightly ella ped in the other
Her lovely dark eyes were dilated in
terror, as she eazed steadfastly toward
the darkeft corner of that sunny room,
as if expecting to see some terrible ap-
partition there. A comical, and yet alto
gether charming tableau, she thus pre-.
,ented to the two young men, now paus.
ing before the open door of the dining
room.
"Why, what's the matter, sis?" cred
one, at last, rs it ghost, or"
"Ob, Fred, IFS mouse Oh-h-h.
there 1t is. Look!'
A mouse, as she spoke. darted across
the room, and vanished into tiny hole.
"Come down, Jessie" said her brother,
laughing, reaching out his arms to lifi
ner to The floor, 'and let me introduce
you to my friend, Leslie Harri.."
Taking her slight iorm in his strong
arms, he kissed her several times, and
then placed her well on her feet.
J ssle blushed very much, and threw
back her black curls from a low, broad
forehead, as she glanced up at her broth.
er's friend.
II hope you have recovered from your
right; you had all my sympathy" said
Leslie Harrls, with serious face, but a
gleam of mischief in his dark blue eyes.
A clear, ringing laugh came IRON Jes.
sizes pretty lips, for she cutie realized
the absuruity OF the whole thing.
Quite recovered" sne answered,
But, pray, spare Inc ridlcule. l am SO
afraid of rats,-"
"Mice" maliciously interrupted her
brother.
Jessie took no notice of the Interrupt
ton, but went on, add. essing his friend
pray, sit down, Mr.. Harris. 81
will go and call father and moth
er. Brother wrote he diiu't
expect to be here till Tomorrow, and
| was just putting the house in order; we
country girls, you know, are not asham-
cd OF work"
She darted from the room, as she
spoke, leaving Leslie thinking how very
pretty girl could look in Il chlatz dress,
and with broom IN her hand.
Leslie turned to his friend. "Why,
Fred" he exclaimed, "you never told
me you had a yrown sister. l thought
she was little girl"
well" returned the other, laughing,
"that she is little you can't deny; and she's
net mucn more than a child, for she's
only sixteen"
just then Jessie entered with her par
ents. Hearty greetings followed, in a
way that country people have made pc,
culiary their own, so different, so much
colder ale our city friends.
All through it, though, Leslie could not
help regrelring that he had brought but !
two changes of clothes "Iet how was
/ to suspect that such beauty existed |
out here
"Verv fine place-beautifui r. he re-
piled TO tie farmers question of how he |
liked the country. As he said beautiful, |
he look ed, not at the lovely view 10 be |
seen from the open window, but at the |
animated face of Jessie as she bent ovei !
her brothers chair and asked him ques-
free, yous way,
Leslie could not help thinking what
happy household tins seemed to be.
Dinner will soon be ready" said Jes-
sic, at last. Would you like to 60 TO
your room before dinine?" and she look
ed at Fred. Pray, Mr. Harris" make
yourselfat home"
With these words she hustled off to
the kitchen, while the two friends went
above to Fred's room.
The white muslin curtains were drawn
back from the open windows, wkich
were partially shaded by a giant OAK
that stood near, and the cool, periumeI
air greeted them as they entered.
"What luxury" cried Leslie, looking
around the plainly furnished room,
which yet was so neat, and 80 entirely
delightful, and noting everything, espec-
tally the plump, While bed, so daintiy
ARA 1ged.
"Pm glad you like it, old fellow I" said
his young host 81 feared that our PLAN
country life might suffer by comparison
with your luxurious one; but you see
farmers are seldom able to spend money
on more than the bare necessities oflite
we are q contented set, though"
at seems to Inc You ought TO be- re-
turned the other, now busy getting him.
self up in style; for, thought he, "Miss
Jessie will be gotten up nicely: all eirls
are when there's company. think
+ 18th would like her"
Edith was iavorite sister, five years
than himself, and he was twen-
ty-Gve. They were the only children of
wealthy parents, who lived in Buffalo.
At college he had made the acquaintance
of Fred Evans, and this acquaintance
soon ripened into friendship. The vaca-
ton previous the two had spent together
at Leslie's home. There Fled had left
his heart in keeping ofhis friends sister.
Now, both had graduated, and had come
to enjoy country air for a few weeks at
the house of farmer Evans.
Entering the gate, and following the
broad, graveled drive, the young men
mad reached the front ofthe house. when
Fred had said, Suppose we go round the
hack way and surprise them ! You know
they don't look for US TIL tomorrow"
So they went around. and, walking on
the brick floor, sheltered by porcs
overhead, Leslie observed how convent
ent were the well and the cistern, and
the entrance TO the wood house.
A swing dangled in their way, and,
pushing it aside, they were going direct
" TO the kitchen door, when noi.e di
rected hiH attention to the right. Look.