The Portland daily press., 1885-07-25
THE FLOWER OF THE FLOCK.


stance, Juliet and lsmay; and it is |, Juliet
who am writing this little history, believe
4 may be mistaken-that looks have a
great deal of influence over some peoples
fate. If had been as good looking as my
youngest sister | should now be Mrs. L0r-
raine, instead of forlern maiden gazing
hopelessly toward 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
feel very sore.
Constance is my senior by four years. She
married, and very well, the year after she
came out. | was fifteen at the time, and lit
tie Ismay only twelve, and the next five
years was the happiest period Of my life.
The L0rraineS were our oldest and dearest
friends, and Ismay and | studied with the
girls under the same goyerness at their house.
My father was the squire of the village
where we lived, Mr.. Lorraine was the rec
tor, and there were no other families Of any
consequence within five miles.
/ think began my life when / was six
teen. 1t was October Guy Lorraine had
left Rugby, and way going into residence at
Cambridge. We young ones had been spend
ing month at the seaside under Fraulin's
protection; but the holidays were at an end
now, and felt somewhat gloomy as wan
dered alone in the rectOry garden. 10 lose
Guy, and begin lessons tomorrow! 1t was
too bad.
was medium-sized girl in those days,
Will Il TOunu lace, anu d IIclu6luouS mop VI
fair hair, blue eyes and a decidedly re-
trOusse nose remember that October gloam-
ing so distinctly The scarlet geraniums in
the parteres glared. 1t was q last flicker
ing before Winter. The Gloire de Dion ros-
es bloomed everywhere, and stocks Of asters
made brave show; but feeling OF autumn
and decay lowered in the air, and the leaves
on the trees were changing hue rapidly.
| was attired in my usual white flannel
frock, somewhat dilapidated was never
tidy and one of Guys straw hats, which l
had taken out of the hall, AS | 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 wonderfully hand
some boy-tall, slight and dark, with clear
cut features and an eagle nose. had always
soul, and worship beauty. That evening l
felt painfully conscious of looking a fright,
and ] began to straighten my crumpled frock
and push back my curly towzled wig.
Don't do that Ju, said Guy as he ap-
preached, 81 like you ever so much better
when you're untidy."
'Then you must like me always"
81 do six days out Of seven; Sundays an
exception
And always look so nice on Sunday"
''Nicel You're perfect object, with your
hair in tail and your best frock on. If you
only knew what contrast you are to lsmay,
you'd leave your pew and come and sit with
u.s."
Indeed 1 wouldn't-I'd choose some one
civil, not you"
'Ah, you're jealous of Ismay, and Idon't
wonder; but I'm not going to talk about her
just now. Do you know l came home spec
tally to see you?"
Il wondered what had made you leave the
river so early, but I'm not surprised to heal
that | was the attraction"
''You eonceited monkey! | should enjoy
boxing your ears, but haven't time want
to talk seriously
giggled outright, but he pulled my hand
through his arm, and we marched off in 81
lence. After minutes pause, l opened my
mouth to speak, but he broke in suddenly:
''Ju, you know I'm going away to-mOr-
'Well?o
''Are you sorry?"
mo, am very glad. l hope you will
come back improved. You require improve
ment."
'sYou tiresome creature!" He threw down
my hand why wont you be serious?
81 am serious. You're asking me stupid
questions, and I'm answering them serious
so, Juliet, why won't you understand ?
Don't you know I'm sorry to leave you?"
nodded. '0f course you are"
'And you must know the reason why, Ju.
I'm fond of you"
eyes, l know that too"
you're really past all endurance. Must
explain everything, just as if you were a
baby? I'm not fond of you in that way"
(Which way? | interrupted, innocently.
Guy took me by the shoulders and shook
me:
''You know what mean perfectly we'll.
I'm going to marry you"
made courtesy.
81 must really tell mother that l am pro-
yided for" | exclaimed; she was very glad
when Connie married, in her second season
but I've done a great deal better. Actually
Guy, I'm engaged two years before I'm ont. y
Guy was leaning against tree, looking
very sulky.
I'm quite in earnest" he growled, 'but
if you're only going to make fun of me, I'll
CO."
''You are going, that is to say, you're go
ing tomorrow, but not jsut this minute, Guy. -
80, Juliet! and do you really love me?"
Il don't want to say yes, and | don't want
to say no."
''But you won't go marrying any other fell
low while I'm away?"
There is no other fellow that 1 know Of
I'll write and tell you if one turns up"
''And you're the sweetest girlin the world ,
Guy, I'm positively growing vain; | wish
Fraulein thought the same"
'EWill you be in earnest, Juliet? ] know
you'll never marry me when you're grown
up. You make fun of everything, and you
will turn out a good-fOr-nothng tilrt.
There was a pause, and | tried to look for
ward into the future. glanced at Guy. His
dark eyes were melancholy, ludicrously so
perhaps, but was touched. He looked 81
sincere, and / feltiunworthy of the alteration
expressed so plainly in his face. was per
ky, odious, and l hated myself.
Are you sure you mean what you say?"
asked hesitatihgly.
YES" he said, simply land l knew he wal
speaking the truth.
"And if you meet prettierrand nicer girl
than l am, you won't like them better thai
me?"
''You are the prettiest andl incest girl il
the world"
81 don't want you to say that; want yor
to promise never to love any one better thai
me-"
Il shall never love any one half so WE'LL"
And so the romance of my life began
When l was seventeen my father gave hi
consent to my engagement with Guy, and VIZ
were to be married when | was twenty. Tit
course of my love ran very smoothly. Gu!
took honors at Cambridge in his third year
was eighteen then, and was taken to towr
for my presentation. | stayed with Connie
butt made not the slightest sensation.
was not pretty, and, with one exception,
positively hated and feared young men,
was fdrouche, and conscious Of being quite
the plainest in the family Little Ismay
grew more beautiful every day.