The Republican journal., 1881-04-07

ana Sne very naturally inQuigeu positive
mental vindication of the beauty of flow
ering bean vines, and of the convenience
and economy of a large patch of cultivat-
ed ground.
However, Clara did not lecture her
cousin as they all went down street To-
gether, but told him about the new mu-
sic which she had brought up, Just suited
10 his melodeon. and that she must find
his flute and they must practice that eve
ming: and asked him if Farmer Doane
still kept Snow White. that wonder
among saddle horses, and if the sweet
flag vet grew down in the meadow. and il
he knew that She was proficient in leath-
er work, and was ready to frame some OF
his handsome engravings SO he would
help her about the painting and yarnish-
ing. And thus she ratified on. with heI
quick. gentle voice, and the fascinating
play of her gloved hands Just leaving
spaces for Ilarry's replies, but scarcely
an opportunity for Molly to put in a word
edgewise. Ofcourse the poor little teach
er could not shine had that been her forte.
Harry did not 60 round the corner to Mr..
Browns gate as was his habit. be cause
Clara was impatient to get her bonnet
off, and Molly said it was no matter.
'Come over and see us Tonight" said
Harry.
Molly made q hesitating reply. saying
neither this nor that.
Not if will 90 for you ?" persisted
Harry.
Its no way to urge lady beyond
her convenience: we don't like it do we,
Molly?" exclaimed Clara. slipping hel
hand into her cousins arm But if YOU
will stay at home. then Harry and | will
call upon YOU: but not tonight, however
for we must 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
through some distant aperture in the fo-
ljagp. and then without look at her
pansies or canaries. went heavily to hel
chamber. and. obliyous Of Il score Of
pleasant little duties such as We're won't
to beguile her time until Harry came in
the evening, sat down to her very dubi-
GUS cogitations She had always found
Il rival in Clara whenever that young
lady made her appearance which was
not intrequently; and when, six months
before, Harry Lane, the very prince
that she, his own Molly, was dearel
to him than all the world beside, She
had wondered if Cousin Clara was con
sciously and specifically included as a
part and parcel OF the deprecated orb.
But Harry had proved the most de
devoted OF lovers. and Clara, strangely
enough, had kept herself out Of the play,
Molly was happy in her complete salts
faction, and that old tiresome jealousy
was quite driven away, and She had al
most forgotten that it had ever existed,
until it made its untimelN appearance,
rafting and critcising within the sacred
inclosure of the new house. And Harry
was SO easily amused with it and fed it
with the light of his handsome smiles, and
very poorly defended his betrothed from
its entertainments Molly looked out up
Oh the lovely summer landscape and eve
ming heavens with moist ewes. and With
some despairing thoughts upon the prac-
teal bearings of her circumstances. She
was as pretty as Miss clara any day. and
could sing and talk uS we'll. but she was
no match with her in impertinence. nor,
a-lack-a-day, in her wardrobe Just then,
for she had been ecOn0miZing against the
wedding. and in favor Of coming house
hold ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, and who could
have toretOld that she must needs enter
the lists again with the shoWy cousin in
respect Of ribbons and tlounces! Clala's
new dress did look We'll. there was no de-
nying that, and Molly last years bonnet
and lawn were most indisputably tlimsy.
II Molly did not think on all this that
evening, she had sufficient leisure to do
so on the following days. Clara seemed
totally to ignore her cousins engagement.
and exhibited a tact in monop0llZlng his
attentions which would have been very
entertaining had it not been 50 cruel.
She must Of necessity protract her morn
inc ride till after nine o'clock, so that
Molly was forced to remain behind and
she contrived with marvellous invention
to find some reason for commencing her
evening walks half hour too early for
the teachers convenience Then if other
arts failed she could easily manage by d
piece OF ambiguous pOliteness just flavor
ed with a dash of insoIence. to induce
Molly to decline invitations and question:
able advances.
And Harry all this while Clara aver
ed aloud and often that Molly, the good
soul, didn't mind, and Harry echoed ST.
lently the comforting declaration when
ever it was necessary to hush any little
Whisperings that conscience might insnu-
ate to the contrary. And bewildered by
Clara's increasing play OF wit and tasci-
nation, he had rapidly dritted away from
his old moorings and perhaps yielded to
his mclinations when he allowed himself
to be guided 10y her influence. And Mol
ly, with the customary bad policy of
sighted beauties dot1ed the witchery of
her smiles and winning speeches, assum-
ing a repelling and almost defiant ar,
and thus unWittingly resigned the whole
field to her rival.
As all this happened in a community OF
excellent persons, not behind any other
rural district in active, mutual sympathy
and neighborly sentiment, there was
plenty of speculation abroad respecting
it. \ trio of individuals being immedi-
ately concerned, there were at least three
sides to the question, and old grudges
and Whms and predictions rapidly mar
shaled the good people into their respect
i've parties, and the clamor Of tongues
soon grew ''fast and furious reaching
all ears but those with which it has most
to do.
Molly was SO certain that her woes had
been unobserved that she was completely
surprised one evening by an event that
gave a new direction to her contempla-
tions. She had sent away her scholars
and was mourntully leaving the school
house, expecting one of those dreary, sol
tary evenings at home, when she came
into collision upon the threshold with no
less parsonage than Dr. Stone.
IL am not shadow that You should
think toWalk through me in. this fashion,
Miss Brown
Molly prot1ered a hasty apology to the
smiling, substantial gentleman before
her, who for a bachelor of forty five, pos
sessed very portly and comfortable
aspect.
'If you have leisure, Miss Brown,