Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-08-23
PARIS MAINE, TUESDAY, AUGUST g. 1881.


vanity.
"They are well enough to be sure,
replied Clara. But what an idea tt
plant that thicket of roses and what moi
besides so near the house--a regular hole
for ,oads and brooding hens-to say no.
thing Of the garden coming so far in front
Cabbages in sight of the parlor windows.
mo, the flowers will screen them,
sal | Molly. trying to laugh.
Maybe-the cabbages, but nothing
shorter than sunilowers and hollyhocks
can hide the bean poles. Plainly, | shall
give Harry lecture on taste. aud have
tn whole affair swept farther back. We
used to arrange our establishment in a
rather more stylish manner"
Molly could not imagine who could
have better right 10 locate the garden
than herself, with her lovers approval,
AID she very naturally indulged posi-
tive mental yindication of the beauty oil
towering bean vines, and of the conven-
ience and economy Of large patch OF
cultivated ground.
However, Clara did not lecture her
cousin as they all went down street to-
gc,her, but told him about the new music
which she had brought up, just suited to
his melodeon, and that she must find his
tllie and they must practice that evening
and asked him if Farmer Doanc still kept
Snow White, that wonder among saddle
horses, AM if the sweet flag yet grew
down in the meadow, and if he knew that
she was proficient in leather work, and
was ready to frame some OF his handsome
engravings so he would help her about
the painting and vanishing. And thus
she ratified on. with her quick, gentle
voice, and the fascinating play of her
gloved hands, just leaving spaces for
Harrys replies, but scarcely an oppor-
tuui,y for Molly to put in word edge
wise. Of course the poor little teacher
could no, shine hid that been her forte.
Harry did NO, go round the corner to
Mr.. i owns gate as was his habit, be-
cause Clara was impatient to get her
bonnet oli, and Molly said it was no
matter.
Come over and see US tonight said
Harry.
Molly made hesiiating reply, saying
neither this nor that.
mo, il will go for YOU persisted
Harry.
IT'S no way to urge lady beyond
her convenience we don't ike it do we,
Molly" exclaimed Clara, slipping her
hand into her cousins arm. But il
you will stay at home, then Harry and |
will call upon youi but not tonight,
however, for we mus, have the music
lessons
Molly leaned on the gate and watched
the cousins slowly going along the rural
street, as they twice or thrice appeared
Though some distant aperture ia the fol
iage. and then without u look at her pan
sizes or canaries, wen. heavily to hel
chamber. and. obiivious Of sco7e oI
pleasant little duties such a. were won'
to teguile her time until Harry came in
the evening. sa, down 10 her very dabi.
Gus cogi,ations. She had always found
rival in Clara whenever that young
lady made her appearance, which was
no, inlreqaea,lY; and when, six moaih'
befsre, Harry Lane. tho very prince and
pearl Of village s~aias, declared that she,
his own Molly. was dearer to him than
all the world beside. she had wondered
if Cousin Clara was consciously and spe'
cihcally included as part and parcel o.
the deprecated orb. But Harry hat
proved the most devoted of lovers, anC
Clara, strangely enough, had kept heFsel
out of the play.
Molly was happy in her eompleie sat
isfaction, ana that old tiresome jealous!
was quite driven away, and she had al
most forgotten that it had ever existed
until it made its untimely appearance
rattling and criticising within the sacreC
inclosuIe of the new house. And Harr.
was so easily amused with it and fed
with the ligh; of his handsome smiles
and very poorly defended his betrothe'
from its entertainments. Molly looke'
ou, upon the lovely summer landscap
end evening hesvena with moist eyes, an
With some despairing thought upon tn
practical bearings OF her circumstances
She was as pretty as Miss Clara any day
and could sing and talk as well, but sh
was no match with her in impertiIence
nor, a.lack-a-day, in her wardrobe JUS
| then, for she had been economizing agains
the wedding. and in favor Of coming
, household aggrandizements, and VIII
could have foretold that she must need
enter the lists again with the showy cousi
in respect of ribbons and Aounces. Clara
=, new dress did look well, there was n
denying that, and Molly's last year
bonnet and lawn were most indisputabl
fiimsy.
If Molly did not think on all this tha
!, evening, she had sufficient leisure to d
!, so on the following days. Clara SCENE
= totally to ignore her cousins engagemer
and exhibited tact in monopolizing hi
attentions which would have been yer
entertaining had it not been so cruel
She must of necessity protract her morn
: ing ride till after nine o'clock, so tina
> Molly was forced to remain behind an
> she contriyed with marvellous inventlo
= to find some reason for commencing he
evening walks half hour too early ft
the teachers convenience. Then if othe
\ arts failed she could easily manage by
: piece of ambiguous politeness just flavor
nd,