The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-06-23
SELECT STORY.
GOOD FOR NOTHING.

SraSn went lne beautiful cuCSlaSs
vase on the stone steps, and down a,
the feet of the culprit lay the crushed
roses amid the glittering ruin.
"Oh, Maud = cried low, grieved
voice.
A white robe, dainty and perfumed
flashed through the open door in angry
haste, and paused beside the gingham
dress of the culprit
81 knew it," retorted a high-pitched
voice in calm despair. Each day see:
my opinion of you verified, Kathleen
You are not to be trusted ~
"Surely, Maud, you do not think ]
purposely broke your vase ?" asked the
girl in gingham looking proudly
at the angry face of her elegantly, clad
companion. ... -ho'
Maud Severn shrugged her shoulders
she had learned how from her French
master; and with her head on one side,
the action gave her quite a foreign air,
she thought. ......
What matters it whether you did it
purposely or not 2" she retorted con.
temptuously. ''Those great, awkward
hands of yours are forever doing mis-
chief--they are truly good for nothing!
Kathleen looked down at her brown
haGds, and smiled sadly.
"True,' she said, as she bent down
and gathered up the lovely roses, that
seemed to cling tcnderly to the 1.-THE
brown tingers-"true, good for nothing
rs things count in your world, Maud
but We are not at the end of time yet,
and my record may read differently.
then"
"What nonsense You will never be
ladylike or graceful, SO do your bes,
with your own virtues T. cried Maud
angrily, as the proud, quiet manner OF
the other betrayed natural dignity
she could not initiate. Put the roses
in another vase, and clear away thai
rubbish"
Kathleen was looking at the broker
glass with glad relief in her face.
81 can mend this, Cousin Maud, she
quietly said land it can be used with
safety"
1T will take gentler fingers thar
yours laughed Maud, coolly. But dc
as you please Only, Kathleen'-sh,
paused at the door, looking back ovel
her shoulder-''you needn't think il
worth while to appear to night. Nam
ma thinks three unmarried daughters
sufficient to entertain the guests with
out
"a portionltss niece of her dead hus
bands quietly interrupted the young
girl, with far-away smile, II under
stand, Maud. Don't think shall regret
it. ! 90 not like good for nothing,
any more than you do.
Maud stamped her foot angrily.
SAT least the new doctor is good fol
something !" she cried eagerly, betray
ing her own tactics for the evening.
$50 he should be, to fill the position
he assumes. trust he has more ambi
ton than vanity, or the poor of Gllfort
will suffer
Kathleen carried the vase within
doors, and though she was quick n
repartee, there were tears none the les,
in her gray eyes, and wistful pain it
her heart.
But she quickly completed her task
of arranging the table and flowers, be
sides nu merous little touches OF fruit
and ices, without which the effec
would have been narrcd, if left to tn,
one clumsy servant, or the indolen
daughters of the house.
When all was done, she felt free I,
seek her own pleasure on that lovell
June evening. And strange pleasur,
it was for one 50 young!
She took down broad brimmed ha
from its familiar hanging place benin,
| the kitchen door--it was needed too
often in her daily duties to rest idl,
beside her cousins on the hall rack
and in her simple gingham dress, will
its neat, white collar, FASTENED quickl,
through the back garden ont on to tn
highway, and took the road to the vii
lage.
''rhe new doctor!' she poniered
Sand how he has disappointed me,
did hope that clever, earnest physi
clan would come to Clifford, and hell
the poor folks, aud instead we have
fashionable, gay young man, who fre
quents lawn parties and tlirts with sill
girls. Oh, if ! were only man"
Kathleen was CLOSING a mudd
patch in the road as she arrived at thi
wish, and making quick spring to tn
dry side of the road, turned her ankl
with sickening pain and fell prostrat
upon the grassy bank,
"Oh, dearl Maud is right, after all
she moaned, IN despair, half comic,
and yet painful withal. "Two mile
from the village or home, on a by Ian
very few frequent, and unable to NOV
with sprained ankle"
| And after summing up her position
Kathleen first laughed, then cried.
"Poor old granny she sobbe'
"She will think | have deserted he
and she is so poor and i'll, with no OF