The Virginia star., 1882-12-09
TOWN AND COUNTRY.

and daughter.
Mr., Worthington, who had worked
his way from country farmhouse to
Westend mansion, though proud OF his
aristocratic wife and daughter, feebly
resented this annual outlay, and was IN
clined to ill-temper accordingly.
II suggest Brighton" said Miss
Worthington, whose emphasis on the
pronoun seemed to seal the suggestion.
COR Hastings" sighed mamma, re-
fectively.
''No," coolly vetoed Cordelia, we've
been there so often.
.sNow let me see.
And needless of irate papa's impati-
ence. she fell to meditating.
"What shall we do with Bert ?" she
questioned, carelessly looking up. as
though Bert were superfiuous piece
of furniture, scarcely worth the price
of storage.
"Ieaye her at home with Miss Mills,
said her mother promptly.
"a child hko that should not neglect
her studies for amusement.
AS papa stood on the hearthrug, dang
ling his gold seals and inwardly fuming.
there was the ripple OF light langh
without the oaken doors of the break
fas..room then quick rush downstairs
the last three cleared with leap-a
rapid turn of the handle, and startling
all, flushed, painting, laughing, q slim
Young figHre burst into the room.
"Bertha |"
Mammals voice was stern with digni-
fed reproof.
beg pardon, all
IT thought breakfast was over.
"Hector and I were having a run in
the yard, you know.
SHOW he barked
"Did You hear him. Cordelia?
"And when I went upstairs, there
was Hector behind me, and"
"We are not interested in the exploits
OF your canine companion" interrupted
her elder sistar's smooth tones.
| 1--WE were discussing something more
important"
"Oh!" BERTHE said, apologetically
feeling slightly crushed. and still stand
ing with her back against the door.
The keen May sunshine showed the
two faces - Cordelia's regular-featured
pale, proud-lipped, with light-blue eyes
and masses of dim-gold hair coilei
smoothly behind her head and Bertie'l
well, not exactly pretty, but infinitely
more charming than that of the &C
knowIedged beauty of the family,
Her long, thick hair was blown into
loose waves by the cool morning wind
her eyes were shining her cheeks al
bright as wild poppies.
1T shall be Brighton" decided Cor
della, rising, at last.
"Going to Brightonp" cried BERTHE
the irrepressible.
"Why don't you 60 to West Row 2
"West Row." scornfully.
''Where is West Row.
And she condescended to look at hel
younger sister as she said it.
why, don't you know-really?
"It's the place where Cousin Saman
tha lives.
"Way out i'll the country somewhere.
'What lucid explanation, sneering
ly.
"'Way out in the country some
where I Well, we do not purpose spend
ing the summer in a common farmhouse
with country Doors for associates---'
"Cordelia l'-the fresh, young voice
rang out in indignant reproof-''yor
ought to be ashamed of yourself.
eff it is a common farmhouse, it was
good enough for papa, and ought t.
surely be good enough for us.
'Country Doors
III just wish some Of your languii
none entities from the Esthetic Clul
wers> half such thorough gentlemen
that's ALL"
bravo. Bert
You're your fathers daughter, every
inch of you. cried Caleb Worthingtoni
voice, in ringing approval.
"It's the jolliest old place under the
sun, If it is common farmhouse, ani
I'll take you down there this June.
'See if / DON'T"
And, surprised into forgetting his
pomposity, he caught his faYorite in hii
arms and gave her sounding kiss.
"Will you?
"Do you mean ito"
'Mean it,?
"Blest if I don't!
but ] say. Bert as the others up
liftedly left the room, s'what made yo1
take up the cudgels for the West Row
boys?
WAS it, quizzically pinohing warn
velvet cheek-"was it because OF th.
lad introduced to you in my othce last
September?
"a deuced fine fellow. sh9