Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-08-30

dppAIltiou oA ING sCcuc3 duO " toAA,
handsome gentleman stepped into the
dell. ....-
Meta dropped the corners Of her
apl on, away went the flowers and
MOSES on the bank, while the gen
tleman equally astonished at the ap-
pearance. of a beautiful young girl
perched in a tee, with curls blown
like gold mist about blackberry
stained face, stood still fer an instant.
"Pardon me, if hnye startled YOU"
he began, "but-" .. @ w..
ooh, you havn't startled me-" said
Meta, Immediately recovering her self
possession; 81 suppose you are Cap
tain Dale \" -a. az ...s
eyes, but who in the name of
Titania and all her elves are youp
81 am Meta Vernon" .-
And as she spoke. she sprang lightly
from her lofty perch, and glanced at
her reflection in the natural mirror
formed by the CLASSY stream below.
"Oh, dear" !" she exclaimed, "what
will Isabel sayf my curls-my mouth
and my new white dress What
shall do 7" 'i'
"Well," laughingly answered Cap
tain Dale, to whom, in the perfect
confidence of childhood, Meta had
thus appealed 81 should smooth out
tho curls and wash the mouth as well
as could, and as for the dress, it will
do very we'll" ..f. ...
Meta stopped over the river and
dashed the drops over her hair and
face. ...-- -
SIS it all rightn now' ?" she appealed.
"Yes, it's all right now," gravely
answered Captain Dale, looking with
evident admiration-and truly she was
as lovely creature as one often secs,
with her sparkling violet eyes and
gold-bright hair, and checks tinted
with the softest bloom. ...- ....
And Meta, forgetting all about her
dishabille, in the pleasure Of the stran-
gers companionship, led him through
the woodland paths she was so familiar
with to the hall.
"Meta," said her sister, gravely
drawing her aside when Captain Dale
had gone to his room before lunch, 81
am ashamed of YOU"
"Whyi" pouted tho child.
"What will Captain Dale think p
"What should he think I" said Meta,
defantly. -. ...s.
"You must have shocked him ter
ribly," demonstrated Bell. ..a
"He did not appear very much
shocked" -. ...
"Oh, Meta, Meta! how can you be
so obstinate and naughty Z" pleaded
Isabel.
But Meta only laughed and walked
away. .~
Captain Dale's visit at Vernon Hall
was,protracted day after day and week
after week beyond. its original limit,
and Mr.. Vernon began to congratulate
himself that Captain Dale had taken
fancy to Isabelw
81 couldn't wish better match for
the child" thought old Mr.. Vernon.
"He is unexceptionable in every par
ticular. Really l think we are very
lucky! If only Meta doesn't frighten
him away with her pranks and tricks!
l don't know but 1 had better send
that child to Miss Prinpetal's board
ing-schoor for another two years.
Only it would be very lonely with Bell
married and gone, and little Meta bur-
led up IN a boarding-school.;"
Just as these reflections were pass
ing through Mr.. Vernon's mind, the
hero of them entered.
"You are alone, sir. 1 am glad of
that" he said, "for wanted to speak
to YOU"
go on, my dear boy" said Mr..
Vernon, politely.
81 want to ask great favor OF
you-the hand Of your daughter ~
went on Dale, little nervous.
"Has she said yesi" asked the old
gentleman.
"She has" ... s... .--.
"Then l say yes, too. She is good
girl, Dale, and will make you an excell-
ent wife"
81 am sure of that SIR" said Captain
Dale, fervently, Sand"
But just at this instant old Thomson
the butler, put his head into the room
asking to "see the master just min
ute," and when he returned Captain
Dale was gone.
81 suppose he couldn't stay away
from his sweetheart" thought the old
gentleman, eomplacently. "Well, well,
it's just exactly as it should be-"
Isabel was sitting alone in the
breakfastroom as her father entered it
some minutes later. He walked up to
her with beaming countenance.
"My DEAR" he said, 81 congratulate
you"
"What upon, papaf"
/