Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-15

to divide myself into three separate and
distinct individuals, that might offer
each of the fair enslayers hand and a
heaf'' -onlied Tom, with much solem-
nifty.
What without eve -oittng TO dis
cover whether their dish towe.- are 10
proper order p retorted his friend.
Tom laughed,
rhaye a presentiment that 1 shall
forget my r.vercd grandmother's advice
until it is too late, when the important
event of meeting my fate shall arrive
And then remember it for the rest Of
your life, I suppose observed Harry;
the principle Of marrying in haste and
repenting at lelsure.' Well, 1 hope
my fair cousins will not be the cause Of
such catastrophe. But must leave
you here, as [ haye a patient in this
house, And he hastily ran up the
steps.
Left 10 himself, Tom sauntered slowly
along, thinking Of the young ladies
whom he had just seen. 1t must be
confessed that little Violet occupied
but very small portion of bis thoughts,
which were filled with Ida and Adele.
But l doubt if either Of them ever
saw dish towel was his concluding
reflection, as he reached the boarding
house.
Weeks passed on. Tom was devoted
IN his attentions to the Misses Rens haw.
Rumor had assigned him first TO Ida,
then to Adele, and waited with im'
patience for the time when the engage
ment ehould be publicly announced.
Meanwhile, almost every day brought
some good and sufficient excuse for him
to call at Mrs. Renshaw's pleasant
house; new poem, the latest song, an
invitation for a drive, or plan for an
excursion. Of Violet he saw less than
of the other sisters, although they were
very friendly, and he treated her with
the same brotherly frankness as Harry.
One lovely June morning he presen-
ted himself at Mrs. Renshaw's at quite
an early hour, intending to invite the
three sisters 10 pass the beautiful sum-
mer day in long country drive. He
noticed that there was some delay in
ar7wering his rng, (which was net
usually the case with Mrs. Renshaw's
trained servants; but at length he heard
a light footstep, and in another moment
the door was opened by Violet,
She had a broom in her hand, aud a
dusting cap covered her bright curls:
but she bade him good morning with
as much cordial:ty as usual, and invited
him to enter, adding:
'Please walk into the dining room, Tor
I am sweeping the parlOrs.'
Secretly wondering, Tom obeyed. As
he turned the handle Of the dining room
door there was O sudden rush, a hasty
bang Of door, and a hurried exclama-
ton Of 'Oh, Violet, how could you! and
he found hlmselfin the presence of the
fair Adele, although for a moment he
scarcely recognized her in the slovenly
dressed girl, with disheveled hair, who
stood by the breakfast table dabbling
the cups and saucers in some greasy
water, aud wiping them on a towel
which, to say the least, was far from
being spotleSsly clean. she colored,
and with some confusion said:
'Ah, good morning, Mr.. Meredith
So YOU have come 10 find US all at work
this morning. 1t happens that we have
for our servants brother and two sis
ters. They received this morning the
news of their mothers dangerous
illness, and mamma at once gave
them permission 10 go home
We supposed we could get a woman
who sometimes does extra work Tor US;
but she was engaged for the day, 80 we
are obliged 10 do the best we can our
selves. Iassure you,' she continued
with a little laugh, (which Tom had
often thought pretty and engaging, but
which now sounded false and affected,
that am by no means accustomed to
such work, nor have any desire TO be
come so.'
Can you not allow me to assist you?
asked Tom, politely 4 was brought
10 on farm, and have often washed
dishes and made myself generally use.
rul in the Kitchen
You = exclaimed Adele, in such as
.onished tones that Tom could not tor
bear laughing.
Yes, certainly why not" asked
Tom.
oh, don't know-saly thought
you never did anything stanmered
Adele; then endeavoring to seem at
ease, she said, Yes, if you will help,
please take this kettle into the kitchen
and set it on the stove.'
Tom seized the kettle, and throwing
open the door leading to the kitchen,
was crossing the room toward the stove
when his progress was arrested bV the
sudden appearance Of Ida from stove
.oom beyond. If Adele looked slovenly
and disheveled, what shall be said OF
Ida An old dress, dirty and tom,
slippers run down at the heel and burst
out at the sides,no collar or ruhe. very
little hair, instead Of The magnificent
tresses he had so often admired. and
what there was hanging uncombed
about her face-no wonder Tenn started
ia blank astonlshment.
A heavy frown took the place OF the
L i l.