The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-01-06
4 COUNTRY PARSON.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES

II Miss Matty Rice had yawned once
since breakfast, she had yawned score
Of times; and even pretty Eveleen was
growing drowsy over her embroidery by
the window. For it was hopelessly
rainy day in mid October, with the sky
veiled in dark gray mist, the tinted
leayes floating down into matted layers
of dim color around the columns of tie
piazza, and the tall dahlias nearly pros
trated by the steady down-pour. No
walks, no gathering of ferns. mosses,
berries, in the still, delicious woods; no
dreamy families to the mountain.tops
and, worst and saddest of all, nothing to
read.
"And I won't be deluded into working
worsteds," said Matty, "nor yet into
crewels and Kensington stitch. Eveleen
W, ere is that delightful little book that
papa was reading aloud out of last
night"
DO you mean the 'Recreations of a
G C,untry Parson2" said Eveleen. com.
pairing two shades of rose-colored wool.
'If that's the name of it-yes."
He took it to the city with him,
said Eyeleen. Il saw it sticking out o.
his coat-pocket, when he, was running
for the train"
"How provoking!" sighed Matty. clasp
ing her dimpled hands above her head
"when it's the book of all books that
should like to read on a day like this"
"Mr. Winton has copy of it," ssiC
Eveleen, threading a worsted-needl,
with the very darkest shade of garnet.
"But what good will that do me?' saic
Matty. disconsolately.
Borrow it," suggested Eveleen. "Ev
erybody borrows everything in plac
like this; and I'm sure Mr.. Wintol
would be glad to oblige you"
"Bu. how2' urged Matty. "The ho
tel is at least half mile away
'Send Nora"
"Nora, indeed! don't suppose Nor
ever did an errand in her life," sal
Matty,
Then it's high time she began.
laughingly suggested Eveleen. "Writ
note, and"
nd rather send a verbal message,
said Matty, ''and wouldn't send at al
if wasn't dying to read the end of tia
essay that papa began last night"
Nora. deep in the energetic occupatio
of backing the Kitchen stove, was sun
moned up stairs.
mora" said Matty, impressively, -
want you to go to the hotel. You kno'
where the hotel is'"
''Sure an do, miss" said Nora. wit
wide-open mouth. and eyes OF intense a
tention.
"And ask for Mr.. Winton, and tell hir
that Miss Matty Rice sends her compl
menls, ard would like to borrow th
'RecreatIons of Country Parson."
''Yes IN, )" said Nora.
You're sure you understan 2"
"Yes'm, an why wouldn't II" prompt
ly Ietorted Nora, rather Hettled by thi
implied as2ersion on her powers Of CON
prehension.
"And com back rs quick as you can.
"Sure an it's me that will. said Norl
And presently the two sisters caught
glimse Of her stout Milesian figure. b,
meath the folds of rusty waterproof
cloak, with a mammoth cotton umbrell
held over her head, disappearing behiu
the huge leaves of the rhododendro
hedge.
Il hope she wont be long" sal
MAtty.
"why should she9" said serene Ev'
leen.
And she went on composedly with th
pomegranate blossom that she was en-
broide-ing, while Matty sat down TO II
little cabinet-piGno, and tried to pick OF
the notes of some dreamy little refrail
which had haunted her ever since 81
heard il at the opera last winter, viii
Patti smiling on the stage, and the fu
orchestra laundering out it, Strains.
Al A~sa, FlA-SIug GvaA ,Ae I4'iu