The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-11-22
CFrom The ArgOsy.1
CHERRY ROPER'S PENANCE.
IL.

way outside TamStOn. The nearest
way from the highroad was path
leading to footbridge over stream,
which ran past the lawn. The stream
was now flooded, and l found the
water just up to the level Of the
bridge, and could barely cross without
wettlng my feet. The river had risen
over the intervening meadows. and
lines of hedges alone enabled one to
recognize localities, like merldians
over the oceans in map. The house
stood on little piece of rising ground,
and the garden sloped down from it;
the lower half was now covered with
muddy water.
The creepers on the house stood on
a little piece of ground, and the gar
den sloped down from it; the lower
half was now covered with muddy
water.
The creepers on the house We're
bare brown stems, the fower-beds
were empty; and | thought to myself
that Mr.. Goldthorpe's first impressions
would certainly not be cheering.
The second impressions would be
reassurlng, though. If he felt, as | did,
the pleasantness of the tiny drawing
room into which | stepped, almost
from the hall-door. Carpets, curtains,
and chalr-covers might be shabby !;
but the greenhouse door was filled up
with blaze Of Mrs. Roper's clever
and untiring gardening; a bright fire
sparkled upon array of fanclful Indian
ornaments and drapery displayed Oh
Il side-tahle, and various pretty foreign
''ohj-cts," and few good water-color
sketches, decorated the wallis as per-
manent inhabitants. Mrs. Roper her
self. Enthusiastically lady, in her quiet
black dress and soft white cap and
shawl, presented no alarming specta-
Gle to man in search of mother-in-
law. | thought Cherry looked less
pretty than usual, rather too smartly
dressed, and rattling lot of bangles
whenever she moved, which was every
minute, as she seemed unable to sit
still.
l duly inspected the Indian articles,
poor Mrs. Roper displaying them in
peaceful unconsclousness of any fresh
disturbance impending; but | own
that | could only give them half my
Il, a,tention, while | listened for step
outside. Presently, there came a
heavy crunch on the gravel, and a
loud knock which seemed almost in
the room. There was startled pause
among US three ladies; Cherry turned
scarlet; her mother glanced at her.
and understood it all. The flush was
reflected more family on her delicate
checks, and she seated herself to await
the event. We heard the little maid
servant open the door, and a rather
loud mans voice enquire for Miss
Roper; then followed shuf1ing and
Stumping with overcoAt and umbrella;
the little maid announced some name
hitherto unknown to history, and re-
tired behind the door to let the visitor
enter.
| really cannot describe Mr.. Gold
thorpe, because there is nothing to
describe about him. Walk down Old
Broad street early in any weekday
afternoon, and you will be sure to
meet half-a-dozen prosperous elderly
gentlemen, any one of whom will do
to represent Cherry Roper's latest
lover. He had City" stamped on
every fold of his clothing; and | felt
sure that Mrs. Roper (whnse connec-
tions were all with the Church and
tie arn,y) was inwardly turning up
the nose Of gentility. With this
phase Of her feelings | did not so
deeply sympathize.
How do you do, Mr.. Goldthorpe?"
she sand, rising to greet him. Il did
not expect to see you in Tam ston at
this time of year; visitors are apt to
be frig ghtened by our floods"
Didn't you, a'am? Ah!-I-I
thought you might have"
Mrs. Roper glanced at Cherry
agalu, but the girl sat mute and un-
comfortable.
No; [ did not know that you were
likely to be IN the neighborhood; but
you must not put an inhospitabe con-
,tructlon on my surprise. Let me
give you a cup of tea. L hope you did
not get your feet wet in coming"
THANK you; no sugar, please. The
roads are abomiuably muddy; ought
to apologize for the state of my boots;
but there's nothing to wet one. Not
that l care about wet feet; never
coddle. | suppose that in summer
this is quite pleasant situation?" he
added, turning the subject.
s"Oh, yes" said Cherry. I'VE have
a dear little lawn. 1t is at the bottom
Of the stream now, but In summer the
stream is at the bottom Of it, and we
keep boat there, and can go on the
river whenever We like"
All, quite so. Just the place to do
the rural in then, but not the thing
for winter. You should come into
town, ma'am; there's always some
thing going ON In London even at the
deadrst season. And Miss Roper is
quite wasted down here
This is my home," answered Mrs.
Roper coldly. Il have neither the
wish nor the power to leave it, and |
should be sorry if my daughter could
not be contented without gaiety."
"Oh, | get occasional runs to Lon
dom" put in Cherry. And even in
winter you see we manage to have
some summer indoors directing his
attention to the flowers.
"Ah, yes" said Mr.. Goldthorpe,
taking the suggestion with greater
qnckness than | should have expected
from him. You have fine show,
indeed May look at them little
closer? do little in primulas my
self, or rather nv head gardener does.
He took first prize at the last show,
but there was nothing there to match
that plant in the middle"
Ffor tbiS talk lanuniShp and 7