Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-07-10
THE FLOWER or THE FLOCK.
A Story
CHAPTER I

There ara three girls in our family,
Constance, Juhet and Ismay, and it is
I, Juliet, who am writing this little his
tory. believe may be mistaken
that looks have great deal of influence
over some peoples fate. If / had been
as good looking as my youngest sister l
should now be Mrs. Lorraine, instead of
q forlorn maiden. gazing hopelessl7
towards g solitary future. But perhaps
matters may improve as time goes on;
the wound in my heart may heal, and my
feelings become blunted. just now 1 feel
very sore.
Constance is my senior by four years.
She married, and very we'll, the year
after she came out. I was fifteen at the
time and little Isrnay only twelve, and
tho next five years we're the happiest
period of my life. The Lorraines were
our oldest and dearest friends, and Is
may and studied with the girls under
the same governess at their house. My
father was the squire of the village
where we lived, and Mr.. Lorraine was
the rector, and there were no other
families Of any conseq uence within five
miles.
think I began to live my life when
was sixteen. It was October. Guy
Lorraine had left Rugby and was going
into his residence at Cambridge. We
Young ones had been spending month
at the seaside under Fraulein's protec-
ton; but the holidays were at all end
now, and felt somewhat gloomy as
wandered alone in the rectory garden.
To lose Guy and begin lessons .to-mor-
row! It was too bad.
! was medium sized girl in those
days, with o round face, tremendous
mop Of fair hair, blue eyes and a de-
cidedly retrousse nose. remember
that October cleaning SO distinctly.
The scarlet geraniums in the parterres
glared It was last flicker before
winter. The Gloure de Dion roses
bloomed everywhere and stocks and
asters made brave show; but feel
ing OF autumn and decay lowered in the
air, and the leaves on the trees were
changing hue rapidly.
! was attired in my usual white fan
mel frock, somewhat lllapidated Il was
never tidy, and one of Guys straw
hats, which 7 had taken out of the hall.
AS I stood by the dial on the lawn a
white figure lounged in at the gate and
made for me. OF course it was Guy.
He was a wonderfully handsome boy,
tall, slight aud dark, with clear cut
features and an eagle nose. I had al
ways admire d him immensely; I am an
artistic soul and worship beauty. That
evening / felt painfully conscious Of
looking fright. and began to
straighten my crumpled frock and push
back my curly, towzled wig.
'Don't do that, Ju," said Guy as he
approa ched. II like you ever so much
better when you're untidy."
:"rhen you must like me always
II do six days out Of seven; Sundays
an exception
"And I always look SO nice on Sun
day"
"Nice! You're perfect object, with
your hair in tail and your best froclS
on. If you only knew what contrast
you are to Ismay you'd leave your pew
and come and sit with US.
Indeed l wouldn't It'd choose some
one civil, not you?"
"Ah, you're jealous of Isuay, and I
don't wonder; but I'm not going to talk
about her just now. Do you know I
came homo specially to see you?"
II wondered what had made YOU
leave the river 50 early, but I'm not SUI
prised to hear that was the attraction"
"you conce;tod rnonkAy should en-
JOY boxing your ears, but haven't
time 7 want to talk seriously"
gjggled outright, but lie pulled my
hand through his arm, and we marched
off in silence. After minutes pause I
opened my mouth to speak, but he
broke in suddenly:
"Ju, you know I'm going away to-
morrow"
81 "Well?"
Are you sorry"
"No, I'm very glad. Ihope you'll come
back improved. You require improve
ment."
"You tiresome creature!' he threw
down, my hand, "why won't you be seri-
ous?"
II am serious. You're asking ME
stupid questions and I'm answering them
seriously."
ooh, Juliet, why won't you under
stand? Don't you know I'm sorry to leave
you?'
nodded. "Of course you are"
"And you must know the reason why.
Ju. "Im fond of you."
Eyes, know that, too"
you're really past all endurance.
Must I explain everything, just as if you
were baby. Tn not fond of you in that
way"
(which way ?" interrupted, innocent
~.
Guy took me by the shoulders and
shook me. u..
"You know what I mean perfectly
we'll. I'm going to marry you. r
L made courtesy. W. -, j.:
II must really tell mother that I'm
provided for, T exclaimed; "she was
very glad when Connie married in her
second season; but I've done great
deal better. Actually, Guy, I'm en-.
gagged two years before I'm OUT
Guy was leaning against tree, look
ing very sulky.
"I'm quite in earnest" he growled,
"but if you're only going to make fun
of me Ill CO." s..a ~, : 81
"You are going; that is to say you're
going tomorrow, but not just this min
ute. Guy" s.s&
ooh, Juliet! and do you really love