Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-10-04
A MISUNDERSTANDING

"Why don't he Gomez" said Lillian
Bourne, peeping earnestly between the
houghs of the monster ilac-bush,
whose purple plumes waved to and fro
in the evening breeze. "Oh, why don t
become? Ican't possibly be mistaken
He said on Tuesday evening at seven
and it's twenty minutes past, by grand
fathers big clock and, oh, dearr" with
a sigh that stirred the bunch of pansies
pinned on her left shoulder, "there
isn't soul in sight.'
BY all the signs and symptoms
LilIian's little pink ear should have
burned that evening, for they were ali
talkiIg about her at Miss Lorinda
Larkins tea-party in Dover street
"Oh, she's born coquettel' said Miss
"Lorinda. Two Jumps of sugar did
you say, or one, Betsey Young?
She can't help it. It's in her nature.
Don't you remember, Mrs. Pepperfeld.
what flirt her mother was before her?
But she'll never play fast and loose
with Gilbert Dawson again that I'll
go bail.'
"Oh do tell us all about it, Miss
Larkins." said the widow Peabody,
with her mouth full of chicken salad.
well, if YOU won't repeat it"
Repeat it. We! Never, as long as
we lve.' was the reply that went
.~aInd the tea-table in one accent.
OF course" added Miss Lorinda,
rs all quite private and confidential.
between ourselves. But it was at the
Me1bury's party. What business the
Med)ury's have to give parties, with
bought Ice cream and two violins and
harp, don't know. Every one is
perfectly aware that there's a mortgage
the place, and that her dreSsmaker's
oil amt paid. But that amt neither
mere nor there. | was there, in my
dyed green gown, trimmed with Aunt
Liddy's old English lace, and l was a.
ookin' at the big orange-tree in the
conservatory that's another of Mrs.
Medbury's sinful extrayagances-when
see Lily Bourne, in her white frock,
IN the other side of the bank of flowers
a-gigglin' and a-whisperin' with Squire
rufus Darling?'
IN, !" calculated the other ladies,
with open mouths.
And up came Mrs. Medbury, all in
smile-she smiles twice as often as
Lcfore, since she got them ew false
yceth-and whispers in her ear. And
.ays Lily, out loud, says she, 'Oh, 1
cam! I'm engaged to Mr.. DarlingP''
NO." cried Mrs, Pepperfeld.
81 heard it with these very ears"
olemnly answered Miss Lorinda.
Engagedp' shrieked Mrs. Young,
whose own dirnpled neice was even
then laying siege to Mr.. Darlihg's
ad,.mantine he,rt.
"En, agedr' repeated Miss Lorinda
Larkins.
"And she keeping company with
Gilbert Dawsonr' exclaimed che widow
Peabody breathlessIy
"But she won't never trifle with him
no more" added Miss Lorinda, with
ill-disguised admiration. "For met
hilbert, yesterday afternoon, and l
.tsk-d him about his mothers rheuma-
tism, and what the New York doctor
,aiI about it ; and he never took no
notice of my questions. You know
that absent way young men have when
they're in love. Excuse me, Miss
arkins' says he but Pm little in
lurry,' a-lcl lkin' right over the top of
ny head, as if l wasn't there at all.
IF fyou're goin' to Miss Bourne's,' says
:. there amt no such terrible hurry
s., ) he. What do you mean? And
he looked at me sharp enough this
ne. IIain't you heerd? She's en-
g"ged to Squire Darling, says |. And
says he, 1t ant be possib.en Says ].
i heerd it from her own lips and all
,pkas;et's talkin' about it. says |.
The idea UI I, youag creeter like that