The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-05-20
! Oh, / hope you are not HARM

NO" said he slowly, "I believe
n%s.only my shoulder has received a
bai wrench"
Epown from the house hastened
ap@ious friends, while Hetty took up
hsr basket and went ON her home.
WARD way, her mind still seeing that
heHusome, intellectual face, and the
d9fk gentle, penetrating eyes.
Hetty," said her father one day,
7'ster Mary met me at Fairfield last
nlBht. and seemed anxious about
ynnr coming to Jennie's party. So
ltfou want that dress, suppose you
ii4p better get ii. Here's the money. +"
why. father ~ she exclaimed.
orally amazed. "Why, I-oh, thank
vo's father. if you really mean it,
Il Il v u sAe slipped, up behind him and
Topped light kiss on the top Of his
bald head.
my Hetty's the handsomest of the
two,"thought the old farmer. Yes,
she the handsomest lass in all Loan.
shire, for that matter. Supposing |
give hera chance to show the folks
what shecan do, just as little sur
prise.'
"Get something handsome" he
said. 81 don't know much about
women's fa-ials and such like; but
have it made in town all right, ard if
that amt enough you shall haye still
more"
"Oh. father, how good you are
think this will be sufficient" said
modest Hetty.
That morning, entering the shaded
grounds of Cloyerdeen with her last
basketful of fruit, she came directly
upon the young gentleman she had
seen so ignominiously thrown.
"Ah," said he with smile of de-
lighted recognition, lifting his hat
CALAMITY, and extending his white
hand for her basket. "It's our good
little fairy, who has been bringing us
such delicious strawberries. Permit
me, please"
And Notwithstanding her embar-
rassihg protest, he took the basket of
1ruit and, walking beside her, talked
so pleasantly on various subjects, that
she almost forgot that to HIM she was
only the little strawberry girl.
"Mr. Carleton Mr.. Carleton ~
called out a young voice from the We
randa. as they passed.
"Yes, I'll return Immediately" he
answered, and Hetty was conscious of
beautiful lady in trailing silk. who
was regarding them curiously; also
that her new acquaintance was the
owner of ClOyerdeen.
He was in no haste to leave her
and her bushes grew deeper and deep
er as she thought of her cheap dress
and berry-stained hands, and she was
glad when he left her at the gate
with graceful bow, and smile, and
al reUOir.
1--WE shall not meet again in this
way" she thought. "Oh, 1 am so
thankful he don't even know my
name"
The night of the party-which was
to celebrate cousin Jennie's nineteen
tn birthday-arriyed, and the large,
fine farmhouse was scene of gaiety
and happy faces. Jennie attired in
her new silk looked exceedingly prct-
ty, but the sensation of the evening
was beautiful little Hetty Merton,
clad in dress of fleecy white, ex-
quIsitely made, looped and adorned
with pink moss rosebuds.
Her father was her escort, and en-
ioyed the admiration she was receiy-
ing to the utmost.
"Prettiest lass here, and best Dress
ed. Well, Pd like to know who can
better afford it, anyway ?" and he
chuckled to himself, thinking of his
bank account and his two fine farms.
"There's that young Carleton the
girls have been setting their caps for.
All, and it's Hetty he's looking at so
surprised like"
Yes, it was true the young squire
was regarding beautiful Hetty in sur
prise and amazement.
"Why upon my word, it's none
other than my charming little berry
grill But what means this transfor-
nation? Tonight she would grace
a queens drawing room I'll be In.
troduced and fathom the mystery" "
And he was, and found pretty,
modest Hetty rare and lovely wo-
man, but it was a long time before he
could discover why she sold straw
berries. When she had promised to
be Mrs. Carleton, she acknowledged
her sore need of money at that time,
even in her old father's. presence,
who, being altogether satisfied with