The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1881-07-05
JESSIE.

in terror, as she gazcd steadfastly to-
ward the darkest corner Of that sun,
ny room, as il expecting to see some
terrible appariiion there. A comical
and yet altogether charming tableau
she thus presented tothe two young
men, now .pausing before the open
door OF the dining g-room.
"Why. what's the matter, sis?"
cried one, ac>last. "Is it ghost,
or" e
ooh, Fred, it's a mouse! Oh--h-h!
there il is. Look!'
A mouse, as she spoke. darted
across tho room, and vanished into a
tiny hole.
"Come down, jessie" said her
brother, laughing, reaching out his
arms TO lift herto the floor. "and let
me INTRODUCES you to my friend, Leslie
Harris"
Taking her slight form in his
strong arms, he kissed her several
times, and then placed her well on
her feet.
Jessie blushed very much. and
threw back her black curls from Il low,
broad forehead, as she glanced up a,
her brothers. friend.
al hope you have recovered from
your fright;you had all my sympathy"
said Leslie Harris, with serious face,
but gleam Of mischief in his dark
blue eyes. ~,
A clear, ringing laugh came from
Jessie's pretty lips, Tor she quite real
lied the absurlity Of the whole thing.
"Quite recovered" she answered.
"But. pray, spare inc ridiculo. am
so afraid of rats, -"
"Mice!" maliciously interrupted her
brother.
Jessie took no notice Of the inter-
ruption, but went on, addressing his
friend.
Pray. sit down, Mr.. Harris. |
will so and call father and mother.
Brother wrote he didn't expect to be
here till tomorrow, and was Just
putting the house in order; we country
girls, you know, are not ashamed OF
work"
She darted from the room, as she
spoke. leaving Leslie thluking how
very pretty girl could look in a
chiniz dress, and with a broom in her
hand.
Leslie turned to his friend. "Why
Fred" he exclaimed, lyon nerer told
me you had a grown sister. | thought
she was a little girl.
"Well," " returned the other, laugh
ing. I" that she is little you can't de-
ny; and she's not much more than a
child. for she's only sixteen"
just then Jessie entered with hrr
parents. Hearty greetings followed,
in way that country people have
made peculiarly their own. so differ
ent, SO much colder are our city
friends.
All through it, though, Leslie
could not helping regrctting that he
had brought but two changes OF
clothes. "Yet how was to suspect
that such beauty existed out hcIe?"
VERY fine place-beautiful!" he
rerlied to the farmers question Of how
he liked the country. As he said
beautiful, lie looked, not at the lovely
view to be seen from the open win
dow, but at the animated face Of Jes-
sic as she bent over her brothers.
chair and asked him question after
question, he answering in his free,
joyous way.
Leslie could not held thinking
what a happy household this seemed
to be. sf'
DINNER will soon be ready" said
Jessie. at last "Would you like to
SO to yonr room before dining?" and
she looked at Fred. "Pray, Mr.. Har-
ris. make yourself at home.''
With those words she hustled off to
the kitchen, while the two friends
went above to Fred's room.
The white muslin curtains were
drawn back iron, the open windows,
which were partially shaded by a
giant oak that stood near. and the
cool, perfumed air greeted them a,
they entered.
"What luxury cried Leslie. leoS.
ing AROUND the plainly furnished
room, which yet was SO neat, and SC
entirely delightful. and noting every
thing, especially the plump, white
bed, so dgintily arranged.
"I'm glad you like 1t, old fellow!'
said his youog host. Il feared tina,
our plain 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 Of life--wo are a con.
tented set, though"
''lt seems to ME you ought to be,
returned the other, now busy getting
himself up in style; for, Thought he
"Sliss Jessietwill be gotten up nicely
all girls are when there's company.
think Edith would like her."
Edith was favorite sister, fivs
years younger than himself, and h,
was twenty five. They were the onl,
children Of wealthy parents, who liv-
ed in Buffalo. At college he had
made the acquaintance Of Fred Evans
and this acquaintance soon ripened
into friendship. The vacation pre-
vious thetwo had spent together a
Leslio's home. There Fred had lcf
his heart in keeping Of his friond'l
sister. Now. both had graduated, ant
had come to enjoy country air for I
few weeks at the house of farme
Evans.
Entering the gate. and following
| the broad, grayeled drive, the younl
men had reached the front Of tn
house, when Fred had said, "Suppos'
we 20 round the back way and sur
prise them! You know they don