Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-16
DOROTHY.

1t was in accordance with an establish.
ed family custom that I went down to
Ashbrooke the day before Christmas for a
weeks holiday. Ever since my eldest
brother, Tom, Lad married and had home
of his own, this had been expected of me,
and though only twenty-six 1 considered
myself confirmed bachelor.
Tom was out when I arrived, visiting
some patients-I forgot to say tina he was
a country doctor-and. Carrie was in the
kitchen, up to her eyes in eggs and flour.
went straight to the loom which was
always called mine; held half-hour's
high revel with my three little nephews
and nieces, who rushed Unanimously to
welcome me; and, having at last gotten
rid of them, ladened with confectionery
enough to produce family dyspepsia, ]
was proceeding to array myself for dinner
! when Tom came in. 90
"Glad to see you, old boy! Looking as
ever-only more so. Seen Carrie? Well
I've scarcely had a glimpse of her myself
this past week! Engaged in the usual
kitchen mysteries of the season.
We chatted on for some fifteen minutes
when the first dinner bell rang.
"There! had forgotten the time,'
said Tom, must be off and spruce up a
bit. Nobody but ourselves and Carries
sister, Dorothy. Quite snug little fam.
lily party. eh2"
"Carrie's sister, Dorothy?" repeated
"Why, how many sisters has Caroline got /!
There hasn't been vacation that have
spent in this house in which hasn't ap.
peared new sister. How many more are
THEREOF
Tom laughed.
"If you had inquired of Carrie herself
she could have answered in the words of
the poets little maid, We are seven.
This one, Dorothy, is the youngest and
the last.''
''Thank goodness for that. I hope she
will soon be off Carries hands, like the
rest, and then shall have chance of
peacefully enjoying myself when I come
here. [ have presentment that, having
| failed in the attempt to bestow upon me
one of the others, she will lay desperate
siege in behalf of this last one. Dorothy!
what a hideous ZANE it is! Say, Tom,
can t you make your wife understand that
| am confirmed old bachelor, or that I
am engaged to lovely heiress, or some
thing of that sort, which will induce her
and Dorothy not to persecute me ~
mot 1" responded Tom, laughing. SIT
is dangerous to NEEDLE with women in
such matters. Besides, Carrie likes it,
you see; and don't want to spoil her fun,
good little soul She's confirmed match
maker, as you know"
"Ah, we'll, must try to take care of
myself. wish 1 were anything but a
young unmarried man with a comforta-
BILE property. Ever since 1 was nineteen,
I've had young women thrown at my
head until m sick of it.'
"Poor fellow! no wonder that under
such bombardment you should feel a
little sore and sensitive. But here comes
Carrie, all ready for dinner, and I must
hurry"
My sister-in-law greeted me in her usu
al affectionate. ELUSIVE way, and passing
her arm within mine, led me to the draw
ing room where after awhile, Tom Joined
| us.
"Where's Dorothy?" said he, looking
around.
II don't know what detains herr re-
piled the wife, with deprecating glance
at me. sab, just in time" she added, as
a young lady slowly entered.
''Arthur, my youngest sister, Dorothy.
Dorothy, DR.. Eustace's brother, Arthur -
Miss Dorothy Lee acknowledged this
Introduction with bow Of the most chill
ing politeness. Her glance scarcely
deigned to rest upon me, and she passed
on to the sofa where little Minnie and
Alice were stifiy seated, in very short
skirts and very wide sashes, dong their
best to keep their promise of being good"
if allowed to dine with us. She became
Immediately interested in the picture
book which one of them had
Decidedly Carries youngest sister was
unlike the rest of the "seven" who were
all pleasant, live, agreeable girls, even
though somewhat commonplace.
At the table took a half Indifferent
half-curious look at her. I could do this
without the least fear of detection, as she
scarcely glanced at me, even when 7
spoke.
She was about nineteen, apparently
tall and finely formed, rather plump, very
fair, fresh red lips, dimple in chin and
cheek, and glossy, goldred hair r1ppled
back from blue-veined temples.
So far she was not unlike two of her
sisters, now married-Kate and Lizzie:
but Kate had been merry, laughing hoy =
den, who rather tired ne with her inces-
SAINT chat; and Lizzie had regarded as
the type of graceful, good natured, insip-
id Incidence.
Dorothy, I could see, was neither
thoughtless nor indolent. There was a.
great depth in the blue eyes, and her we'll
cut lips were closed with certain firm
ness about tEeir curve that spoke Of
more than ordinary decision.
She was perfectly unaffected; answered
pleasantly when addressed by her sister
or Tom, and smiled and spoke sweetly to
the children; but the moment addressed
her she replied me with a cold hauteur.
and answered always as briefly as posi-
BILE.
After dinner Carrie, like good mother.
repaired to the baby in the nursery, and