Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-18
A GIRLS FOLLY,

porch, green lawn before il surrounded by
flowers, and a charming country landscape
Spreading out in the distance. Inside, in its
Email but very pretty parlor, on the red table
cover waited the tea tray with its cups and
saucers. The window stood open to the still,
warm autumn air, and the French porcelain
clock on the mantelpiece was striking five.
slender girl of some 20 years came in. She
was very lovely. But her light-blue ewes bore
sort Of weary or DISCONTINUED look, and her
bright brown hair was somewhat ruffied She
wore print washing dress of black and white
neither very smooth nor very fresh and q lace
neck collar fastened with bow of black ribbon.
CHANGING around the room and seeing nobody
In 1t. she went to the open window stood there
In a deep reverie, and then leaned out to pick
q rose. Its thoTns pricked her delicate fingers,
and she let it fall with pettish exclamation
Mrs. Reece came in next. middle-aged.
faded woman of care. in a small widows cap
and neat black gown. She looked flushed and
;atigued.
Have you made the tea, Allson'"
NO. mamma"
"Oh. but you might have made it! 1 wish
you would, child. I am very tired"
Alison turned from the window. brought the
fea-caddy from a side-cable and put two caddy-
spoonfus of tea into the metal teapot. Then
she carried 1t out to the boiling water i'm the
kitchen and brought it in flled. On days dedi-
Gated to some special household work the Young
servant had to be spared as much as possible
This was fronfng-day, and Mrs. Reece had stood
at the board herself. ironing what they called the
fine things. which meant laces and niusns and
helping generally. She was not strong. and a
Lttle work tired her. But she sat down to pour
out the tea as usual, Alison taking a seat which
faced the window.
"Why have you not changed your frock this
afte,noon! exclaimed Mrs. Reece. suddenly
noticing that her daughter wore the cotton she
had put on In the morning. And it may as well
De stated that at that time many years ago
now, the dresses worn By young ladies' whether
OF cotton or silk, were universally called
''frOcks"
..Oh. L don't know" carelessly replied Alison.
1t does not matter"
'.Did you forget that Thomas Watkyn was
coming?"
Not at all" said Alison. in a slightly con-
temptuOu5 tone, her fair face flushing rosy red
and her blue eyes rowing outward to the dis
tant green meadows. TO the sheayes of tine
golden corn and to the already changing tints
OF the foliage. ''Tm sure the frOck Is good
enough for Thomas Watkyni And don't see
why he need be dancing to our house so often,
mamma"
"Alison, be silent. You are behaving ill, and
you know it."
81 am very sorryyou should think so, mother.
] do not wish to behave ILL to YOU
THAT Is behaving ill-saying those last words;
because You know well that l did not mean you
were behaving ill to me- but to Thomas Wat
kyn."
Alison Reece pouted her cherry lips and eat a
whole slice OF thin bread and butter before re-
plying.
Mamma, how particular you are"
al never thought Won could behave So Six
months agoyOu would not have believed it your
SELF"
Would you please let me have little more
milk In my tea5''
You treat Thomas Watkyn outrageously."
continued Mrs. Reece. as she passed the milk
jug. lone day you smile ON him. draw him
on-yes. You do. Alison; don't interruptm me
and the next day you will hardly speak to him
pleasant word. But he is worth more than
that other: that foolish Vavasour with whom
you have been flirting lately.
''Worth more" retorted Alison resentipo these
Charges, which she knew were all true and
having no other answer at hand
~ e5; Infinitely more. Compare a dandy-fop
like Fayasour with Thomas Watkyn, Alison,
you must alter your behavior. You are engaged
TO young Watkyn, and"
There was no engagement" interrupted All
con.
1t is equivalent to one He comes here
openly to court you; YOU have until lately re-
sp0nded t9 It., Why, don't you see that ne wor-
ships the very ground YOU tread on:''
pretty blush and conscious smile illumned
the girls face.
g! say things must not go on as they are GO
1ng. repeated Mrs Reece. EITHER tell Thomas
that you cannot marry him, and beg him not to
come here; or else make up your mind to do so
and cease your silly Irritation with the other.
1T is not silly f1irtation,'' angrily replied
Alison.
''Indeed, see not what else it can be-"
81 don't fiirt; he does not flrt. He calls here
sometimes and we talk a little; and--and-I'm
sure there's nothing in that to make fuss
about
'.And how often do YOU meet him when vou
are Out.-and how often do l see him stroiinp
with you about yOndef fields. Alison, take care
that In trying to grasp the shadow YOU do not
lose the substance
''What substance:" asked the young lady in
nocently.
Thomas Watkyn. union with him would
be very substantial one indeed; thoroughly
good settlement in life for you. Mr. Vavasuur
at best Cooking at him in this light is but a
shadow. These aristOcratie. flirting fops rarely
nave marriage in their heads. The amusement
OF the moment; the talking sentimental nom
sense with silly gir that is all they look after.
VIII You take another cup of tea:'
''Oh, no. thank YOU This lecture is as good
as ten cups of tea"
Then ring the bell"
Patty, the young servant came In and carried
away the tea tray. Mrs. Reece went upstairs To
put array the Clothes ironed that day, and Miss
fleece went back to the open window. leaned
against IT'S side frame. and fell into reyerie
SIZE hId pretty good notion herself that
matter would not 90 on much LONGER. Thomas
Natkyn would not lie, Them More than once
he had said TO her 4 few words and she had
iau1heu them OIL lie was a fine man and a
good man. and a weil-educated man for those
Gays, but De was farmer. Alison had thought
herself fortunate that he should choose iner for
She WAS not OF much account in the world and
could say with the milkmaid in the old sonn
My face Is my fortune; and if she was not des,
perately III love with him. she liked him very
much. esteemed and respected him.
But stranger made his appearance In the
place, one Reginald Vavasour, WHO had come
TO read with the clergyman. previous to passing
some examination. A high-bred man of good
faIHily-there could be no doubt of that-and a
man OF fascinating manners given to take the
female heart by storm. He had accidentally
made the acquaintance of pretty Alison Reece
had talked great deal of lazy nonsense to her
for his own amusement, just to pass the time
away during the intervals Of mis- attendance In
the Reverend Mr. Tarbey's study; and Alison
was supremely fascinated. Beside that slender
young arlstocrat, whose clothes were of perfect
cut. anG whose easy manners mot to saw jnso
lent were as perfect as his clothes. whose very
drawi betrayed his conscious superiority to
men OF the rustic locality, no matter what their
staIidint might be, what could plain. unpre-
tending Thomas Watkyn be In Alison's sight.
Nobody.
Yet he was goOk-loOking In his way this
ihomas Watkyn. well-grown, well-made
nne man. beside whom the other looked like a