Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-03-03
A SUMMER B0ARDER.

Janet E!wood stood in the low, vine
wreathed doorway of her home, q comfort
able Maine farmhouse, at the close of
sultry July day. Her glance was directed
toward a manly, sun-burned young fellow,
tall and broad-shouldered, who was making
his way toward her through the wide, sweet
clover meadow.
Nearer he came, until smile broke the
naturally grave expression of his handsome
mouth, and he stretched out his arms to
draw her to his breast.
Janet, instead efnestling close against the
manly heart which she knew beat always
warmly and truly for her, drew petulantly
away. A deep-red flush mounted suddenly
the young mans forehead. Helooked at her
averted face, her Indifferent attitude, with
amazement. Was this the girl who had put
her hands in his over six months ago, and
pledged herself to be his town little wite2"
Janet" he said, what is itP"
What do you mean, John?" Janet kept
her eye fastened on the toe of her little shoe,
that notwithstanding her appearance OF
GOODNESS, beat lively tattooo nervously
against the painted boards. CHANGING up,
she saw an expression on that face bending
sternly above her, that forced her to add, IL
AIN tired. ! have been helping mother get
ready for the boarder who has engaged the
front chamber for the SUMMED"
~ did not know you expected to take
boarders, Janet"
He is the only one. He came last week,
when mother was at the sewing circle. and
showed him the room, and he engaged It
for two months, and~-and-that's how it
is"
Janet's cheeks grew as she thought
ofthe dashing strangers look of admiration,
as, in her pink, print dress, she had stood at
the gate when he went to the city for his
baggage. Her tongue seemed unloosed now,
and she gave an animated description of the
new boarder, inform 'ng John that he was
an artist from Boston, wealthy and of good
family: his name was Raycliffe, Eugene
Raycliffe. She pronounced it lingeringly,
twice over.
John was far from elated at the prospect.
He could not see the delights of the Boston
artists heightened society as plainly as
Janet. He said so in so many words trifie
more theoretically than the occasion war.
ranted, perhaps, but Janet was very pretty
and the honest young farmer was very much
in love.
ANYBODY would think he was an OGRE"
pouted that young woman, seeing with Ter
quick bright eyes, instantly, the state of
mind her lover was in.
There he comes now" she cried.
Engine RayclifIe smiled under bis droop-
ing, ietty nustaohe rs he noted Janet's
lover.
Some country pumpkin, boring her halt
to death, I've no doubt. I'll soon settle
him."
These remarks (made mentality were &C.
companied by such an air OF self satisfied
complacency, as he threw his satchel down
on the steps, and sat down beside it at
Janet's feet, that John Wentworth scarcely
bowed in answer to the languid, "Glad to
know you," which followed Janet's intro
duction.
John suddenly felt overgrown and awk-
ward. Eugene Raycliffe's hands were ex-
quisitely white and delicate, that his own,
seemed, by contrast, redder and Of more
gigantic proportion than ever before.
His attire seemed rough and ill.itting
compared with the natty ''store clothes
of the artist from Boston, and, altogether
John felt awkward and uncomfortable
standing with his broad back against the
lattice work of the porch, and observing,
with scant approval, the upward glance,
from Mr.. Raycliffe's black eyes to Janets
brown ones.
''Your friend seems slightly displeased at
something" said he, as John, with brief
farewell, and never a second glance at
Janet, walked away, with firm step, and
his head well up.
John had no fancy for standing about I'M
noticed white the girl to whom he was en-
gagged coolly allowed comparative stranger
to monopolize her smiles and society.
Don't go off angry, John" said Janet,
trying the witchery Of her eyes on her farm
er-lover. He Is go deeply in love with me,
l can wind him round my finger" she
thought
And it would be very fine to have two
SWANS signing at her feet, especially two
like John Wentworth, by fer the Fest catch
in the country around, and the
stylish, dashing saycliffe, the new arrival,
sure to Create furore among the maids and
matrons of Sunnydale.
John would not soften, spite of the moon.
light and Janets appraised eyes, shining TN
der the curly lashes
II will come back when you can treat
fellow decently, Janet. am not going to
be fooled to The top OF my bent to please my
girl. Mr.. Raycliffe is getting tired waiting
for you, SO will not keep you ans foonger.
Good evening"
That was the last Janet saw of John.
But she had little time to think of him,
while Mr.. Rayclife devoted himself SO en-.
trely to her amusement. He painted her
portrait; and while she sat for him, begtiled
the time reciting in melting tones yards OF |
tender, sentimental poetry; they went on
sketching tours they sat on the piazza in
the twilight, and sang together, for Janet
had sweet alto voice, which the boarder |
was not long in finding admirably suited to
his owns,
Things went until Janet's mother, with |
manv nod and beck wreathed smile, init
mated that there was an understanding |
between the young people. John Went
worth was we'll enough in his way honest,
sober, and industrious, and shrewd as need
be, but she looked higher for Janet. Janet
aad been to boarding-school, she had the
of LADY, she could Sing, and
play the piano. and Mr.. Rayclife had
praised her drawing more than little.
And, by the way he hung around (his time
o go back to the city was up long ago, but
re had engaged the room for another naonth)
he WIS sure something wonld come of 1t.
The could sniff wedding in the air, and
vent so far az to ask Mrs. Browns opinion
IS to the most fashionable way of making