The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-05-14
Out in the Country.
Br HELEN FOREST oRAv.s.


" To let1" said the agent. "Ready fur
iiishedS Really, ladies, I'm very much
afraid | haven't any property in my bands
mot at present, at least-that will meet
your expectations. I've plenty of unfur-
nished houses, and plenty TO rent for year.
But for this month"; There isn't any such
real estate in the market-thete isn't in
deed I"
We don't want an unfurnished house."
said Angela Frost.
"And we have no occasion to use a house
for year." added Josephine, her tall,
blooming young sister.
The agent bit the end Of his quill pen,
and looked at them obviously, from behind
the ink.splashed rails of his dosk.
"Wc are school. teachers" Miss Angela
explained, "and we have just months
vscationi and we want to spend it in a
healthy country resort, whero can botan-
iac, and where my sister can sketch in wa
tor colors from nature"
"Ahl" said the agent--"ahi indeed,
Pm very sorry, ladies, but don't think
there's any property in the market here
abouts that will meet your ideas"
what time does the evening stage leave
the hotel !" Josephine asked rather despond-
emily.
"At Ave, believe" the agent replied.
And tha itvo IaIiae xvart o,,t oe. 1. -
Stuffy little room, with its high desk, its
floor covered with cheap oil cloth, and it's
general atmosphere of stale tobacco smoke.
"Im SO sorry, Angel" said the younger.
"The air of these pine wooded glcns is the
very thing for your asthma"
And the little river in the deep gorge is
such an excellent study for your paintings,
Jo," said Miss Frost, fondly.
Couldn't wo live in barn ?" suggested
10, with comical arch of her eyebrows.
"l'm afraid not" sighed Angela.
The real estate agent in the meanwhile,
had hardly smoked a pipe and read the To-
cal paper before the door burst open, and a
short, stout lady, in a pink hat and feath-
ers, came in.
"Mr. Muggeridge," said she, handing
him key, you may let Ivy Glen, or you
may sell it-reody furnished, with a cow, a
poultry house and the pony-chaise thrown
| in"
"Madam I" said Mr.. MuggeridSc, bew il.
dered.
"l'm tired of it," said the lady. "susie
and Jennie are homesick to get back to the
city, and so am I. I've been without ser.
want since Monday, and now Pm going to
take the evening stage TO town, and meet
my husband before he starts for Ivy Glen.
dare say he'll be vexed, but cant help
it. And I've left word at the Dairy farm
house for my brother Duke to follow u.s."
"You couldn't let it for a month p ex.
perimentaly hazarded Mr.. Muggeride.
"Id let II for three days" said the lady.
Il could find you tenants for month, I,
said the Sgent. And, perhaps, at the end
Of that time, something else might Offer"
"Very WE'LL" said the lady. "Thsre il
the key"
And away she went; ana Mr.. Mugger.
idge clapped his hat on the back OF his head
and set of, in hot haste, to the hotel, for au
interview with the two young ladies who
had so recently left bis Office.
And II SO happened that 10 and Angel
Frost took triumphant possession of Ivy
Glen, romantic cottage, half covered with
the dark green, glossy leaves of the Yinel
from which il derived its name, with bou'
doir, piano, and all the pictures garlanded
with Pressed ferns and dried autumn leavet
and library Of novels.
Mrs Fitch must have been a very lite,
rary person." said 10.
"And musical" added Angel.
"As for servant, one would only be 4
nuisance" ssid 10.
an groom the pony myself" said Angel
Hes no bigger than Newfoundland dos
tho darling"
"And I'll milk the cow and feed the deai
little chickens" declared pretty little Jo.
ats really an earthly paradise" said thu
elder sister.
$50 it is" asserted 10.
The sisters passed three days Of unmiti
gated happiness in the deep raYinss, ant
cool, Aower-enamelsd woods that surround
ed Ivy Glen.
Angela made various valuable additions
10 her herbarium, and 10 sketcbed leafy
nookti bits Of falling water and sunset eff
feet to her hearts content, until finally I
good old-hshioned rain storm set in, of 1
July afternoon, and prisOnei them 10 th'
cottage parlor.
"HOw stupid this is l'' said Jo, starting uy
from her book. as the twilight shadow
sFoOasi darker aud darker IN the room