The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-03
WHAT A RosfP DID.

room, coming to a stop beside hei
cousin, Charlie Howard, who was
sitting curled up on wide Noltaire
under the window.
''Come, Charlie, wake upw giving
his hair a vigorous Jerk. How iai
did you gay II was TO Nettie's? p
Charlie came rapidly to an up
right position.
ats about twenty-five miles, you
little whirl-about. I'm glad !
haven't got any more cousins like
you." rubbing his head, while q
conical expression passed over ms
face. Here's doctors bill to pay,
now"
sold Father Grimes was good
old soul" sung Ellie. Il must &c
and tell Winnie" and with wave
of her hand, and a mocking bow
she danced out of the room.
Winnie Stuart, deep in reverie in
a wide arm chair before the parlor
fire. was aroused by a voice calling
"Winniel Winniel Where are you?n
and the next instant Ellie Russell
fiuttered in, and dropped on the
footstool at her feet.
"Just think, Winnie, we'er all 60
ing TO tomorrow to see Nettie Gray
Charles sister, you know. Only
think: good sleighing, an old fash
ioned sleigh, dashing team, bufia-
10 robes al ;nfaitum, and seven as
wide awake young people as you
will generally see. Won't it be
splendid ?"
Il haven't doubt OF it, little en-
thusiast,n and Winnie smiled down
into Elites sparkling face a moment,
then turned and gazed dreamily into
the fire.
A lovely girl she was this Winnie
Stuart-slender and graceful as a
marsh willow, with brown hair rip
ping in shining waves al over her
head, and eyes which always seemed
to have shadow OF pain in their
purple depths.
Ellie looked at her in amazement.
as that all you have to say to
such n splendid piece of news as
that?" she CALCULATED. Il do be-
lieve YOU have been disappointed in
love, Winnie Stuart | cannot ac-
count for your indifference under
any other hypothesis"
The sudden crimson famed up
over Winnie's face, but she laughed
merrily.
"Nonsense. Elfei What Il chat
terbox you are. What time do We
start?"
"Oh. very early in the morning.
| must go and take counsel with the
presiding goddess. By-byW and
She was gone like flash of light.
Left alone, Winnie sat gazing
earnestly into the fire. Elfie's care
less remark had awakened bitter
memories Of the past. She detach-
ed 4 small locket from around her
neck, and opening it, gazed earnest
" at its contents. On either side
was tiny picture; a handsome.
manly face, with a dark, clustering
hair and deep, earnest eyes-the
other herself. Two years before
Philip Leslie had presented this to
her on the day of their betrothal.
1t was the old story-a few short
weeks OF unclouded happiness, then
a misunderstanding had arisen. and
they parted in anger. 1t was two
long years, and in all that time she
had neither seen nor heard from
him. Had she forgotten? The
dreary pain at her heart answered
her better than any words could
have done.
The sound OF merry voices arous-
ed her from her reverie, and she had
barely time to replace the locket
when Ellie followed by the others
entered.
1t was a merry party which Char
lie Howard and his sister Gussie
had gathered around them at Ridge
wood Farm.
There was Elfie Russell, and her
handsom brother Hal, who was de-
voted to his cousin Gussie; Winnie
Stuart and Maggie Hunter, a merry,
dark-eyed girl of eighteen /; and
VIII Deyereux, who was very much
in love with Ellie, and very nearly
at his wits ends, because she would
give him no satisfaction.
New Years morning dawned
bright and frosty. Charlie was out
before the first streak Of day appear
ed. and a few stars were yet Visible
when he brought the prahcing
horses around to the door.
All was hustle and confusion in
the house. Hal was making mum.
erous pilgrimage from thence tc
the sleigh, loaded with robes, wraps
etc.
At last they were ready to start
The sun was growing red in the
east, and the smoke was rising slow.
ly in the still frosty air, from the
farm houses as they rushed past.
Isn't this glorious exclaimed
Elfe, her cheeks glowing. and hel
eyes sparkling like stars. See the
sunrisel It's just splendid. | wish
we were going as far again"
so do l." remarked VIII, who
sat by her side, looking into hereyes
Her cheeks took an added tinge,
but she flashed him a defiant glance
The sun was near its meridian
when they drew up before the resi-
dence of the Greys, a large fine look
ing house, surrounded by ever
greens.
"Such a surprise" !" exclaimed
Mrs. Grey, as she came forward tc
meet them. 81 did not expect tc
see you to-day: / am sorry Victor
isn't here" she continued, seating
them in her pleasant parlor around
the fire. HE has gone down tc
Chester on business, and won't be
back for several days"
The afternoon sped rapidly and il
was late before they dispersed fol
the night.
Shortly after the nine o'clocl
breakfast next morning, Elfe cam,
into the parlor, her bright face wear
ing a shadow.
Isn't it a shame girls? It ha:
clouded up, and looks so gray anC