The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-11-30
OUTMANGUVRED.

ran as fOllOWS:
"And now, Hester, want you to dc
me favor. l hope it will not incon-
venience you; but | am very anxious to
have my daughter Abby leave home fol-
awhile, and should be so pleased to
have her come to you.
''She is deep in love-affair with a
man hate. His name is Francis Chol-
mondly. I'd rather have her marry any
other decent man on earth.
Il do not know why l hate him so,
except that he is puppy. He's not so
poor that he could not take good care
of wife, and he is rather handsome in
his nasty foppish way.
''People rather like him generally, and
his social position is good. I've no
doubt Pm unreasonable, but I won't
have Abby marry him; and if l can't
get her away, 1 can get rid of him.
$50 tell you frankly my reasons for
asking you to invite her, and l know
how good-natured you are. 1t will be a
thankless task, for she's terribly sulky
just now, but I'll be ever grateful to
you"
And then the letter wandered away
again into matters that do not concern
this story, and ended in the signature
Elizabeth Marsh.
poor Lizzie! she always had such
strong whims," said Miss Barclay, go
ing on with the folds of the purple robe
OF thin blonde figure traced upon her
background. Zone of them was to mar
ry Caleb Marsh. don't believe that
has turned out quite as well as it might
"However, I'm fond of Lizzie, and l
shouldn't mind having Abby here. I'll
write at once and ask her. And by the
way, Pll invite Brother Richards boy
to come down and bring friend with
him. Everyone is glad of week S coun-
try visit in summer. They'll both fall
i'll love with the girl in this lonesome
place; and there's no such cure for one
loveatfair as another"
Miss Barclay was lady of prompt
and decisive action. Two letters were
at the Office before the next mail went
out, and three bedrooms were being
out into anple-pie order, and the cook
was instructed as to certain provisions
to be prepared for the expected guests.
'Brother Isaac and myself will be all
the better for having the young people
with u.s. said Miss Barclay; but cook,
an old servant, who prided herself on
being ''free-spoken," was of opinion
that ''peace and quietness would be
broken up by all sorts of racket, and
that she'd no doubt they'd be obliged to
buy butter"
However, as cook afterwards remark
ed, she was we'll aware that was not her
lookout.
And on Saturday the stage paused at
the door, and from its top clambered
down two youths; one big and rough
headed, the other, small and sleek, but
both armed with porsmanteauX, gum
cases and fishing-rods exactly resembling
each other.
"All right, driver" cried the rough
headed youth. can right, driver"
''This is the young lady's stopping
place, too" shouted the driver. "This
is Miss Barclays.
But by this time the young lady was
getting out
She was Il pretty girl, with splendid
head of black hair, which, when Miss
Barclay had seen her last, she had worn
in two long braids down her back.
Now she was wonderfully grown-no
longer a little girl. but young lady,
with a coiffure of puffs'and crimps that
was a mystery to prim Miss Barclay.
A coquettish hat was set very much
on one side of her head, and instead of
the sullen scowl Miss Barclay had eX-
pected, she greeted the lady with the
most beaming smiles.
Dear Cousin Barclay" she exclaim-
ed, chow good of you to ask me to this
lovely place! l adore the country, and
l am so pleased to see you again. How
sweet YOU look! / must kiss you. l
feel that | am going to be perfectly hap
py all the time Pm here"
''Is she acting, or does she mean it?''
asked the spinster to herself. ''It's
Il comfort to find her so pleasant any
how"
But she answered heartily and merrily,
and sending Sarah to show her young
cousin the way to her room, that she
might refresh herself after her journey,
turned her attention to the youths, with
whom she had yet only shaken hands.
Il am so glad that you came at once,
Fred" she said, "and so pleased that
you brought Mr.. -''
..Mr. Oakley" said Fred. "My col
lege chum-Frank Oakley. My dear
aunt, we'er very much obliged to you,
and father sent his love, and mother
wonders when you intend to come and
see her; and Tve letter and some pat
terms and things in my bag. And, Aunt
Hester, what a pretty girl that is! She's
Travelled all the way with us. Never
saw such Il pretty girl before
That's Cousin Lizzie's daughter,
ABBY" replied Miss Barclay. ''She
paid visit to your house when you
were twelve years old, but you would
not speak to her. You said you hated
girls"
"What cub l WASP" replied the
shock-head gravely. swell. [ don't
know, Aunt Hester. AS for Frank, he
edores them. Don't you, Frank?"
Frank looked modest.
"There is so much to admire in all
VOL mean, in all ladies'" he answered
with little lisp.
''What a very polite young man. "
thought Miss Barclay.
1t was very merry tea-table. Old
Mr.. Barclay, to be sure, did very little
but eat, after having solemnly shaken
hands all roundc!.: hmt Fred was host in
himself, and Miss Barclay chatted as
mefflly as Ine young peoPiO'
That very night she wrote to her cous-
in Elizabeth.
"MY DEAR LIZZIR,--You'd be delighted tt
see the success of your PLAN. Abby is as hap
| py as n queen. She has found two beaux here
/ my nephew Fred, and a friend of his.
Erred seems very much taken. L We no doub
| he will cut your puppy quite out, and ABBY
| couldn't make better match; good fellow
with a little fortune, and fine prospects IN MI
! profession. | hope it will come to something
| Meanwhile, comfort yourself, Abby ls heaft
whole.-IOurs truly as ever. ,
| The weather was bright for the next
three weeks The skies seemed to smile
upon the spinster and her guests. The!
took long walks, drives, excursions, ane
Fred was devoted to his aunt.
Meanwhile Mr. Frank Oakley did hi
best to please Miss Abby, who did no
refuse to be pleased
Don't stick to me, Fred, if you wan
to cut Frank out" Miss Hester woult
sometimes whisper, but Fred alway
answered that he felt well contented
and on the whole Miss Barclay decides
that Abby was too frivolous for Fred.
''But your friend is a good fellow, i