Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-05-21
FLOWER OF THE FLOCK.


There are three girls IN our family,
Constance, Juliet and Ismay, and il is ],
Juliet, who am writing this little history.
I believe-I may be mistaken-that
looks have great deal Of influence over
some peoples fate. III had been as
good-looking as my youngest sister I
should now be Mrs. Lorraine, instead. of
. forlorn maiden, gazing hopelessly to
. 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 che came out. was fifteen &C the
time, and little Ismay only twelve, and
the next five years were the happiest
period of my life. The LorTaines were
our oldest and dearest friends, and Is
may and / studied with the girls under
the same governess at their house. Ny
father was the squire OF the village
where we lived. Mr.. Lorraine was the
rector, and there were no other families
Of any consequence within FIVE miles.
think began 10 live my life when I
was sixteen. It was October. Guy Lor-
raine had left Rugby and was going into
residence at Cambridge. We young
ones had been spending month sc the
seaside under Fraulein's protection, but
the holidays were ct an end now, and
felt somewhat gloomy as wandered
alone in the rectory garden. TO lose
Guy, and begin lessons tomorrow | It
was too bad.
/ was q medium-sized girl in those
days, with q round face, tremendous
mop Of fair hair, blue eyes and 8 de-
cidedly retrousse nose. remember
that October so distinctly. The scarlet
geraniums in the parterres glared. It
was last pickering glare before winter.
The Gloire de Dion roses bloomed
everywhere and stocks and asters made
O brave show, but feeling Of autumn
and decay lowered in the sir, and the
leaves on the trees were changing hue
rapidly.
I was attired IN my usual white flannel
frock. somewhat dilapidated q was never
tidy), and one Of Guys straw hats,
which / had taken out of the hall. AS
stood by the dial on the lawn, q white
figure lounged in &c the gate and
made for me. OF course it was Guy.
He was q wonderfully handsome boy,
tall, slight and dark, with clear-cut fea-
lures and an eagle nose. had always
admired him immensely; / am an artistic
soul, and worship beauty. That even
ing felt painfully conscious Of looking
q fright, and began to straighten my
crumpled frock and pushed back my
curly, towzled wig.
Don't do that, Ju, said Guy, Is he
approached, 81 like y0u ever so much
better when you're untidy."
ssThen you must like me always"
SCI do six days out Of seven; Sundays
an exception. =
"And / always look so nice on Sum
day." $.
your hair IN 4 tail, and your best frock
ON. If you only knew what perfect
contrast you are TO Ismay, you'd leave
vour pew and come and sic with us. !"
Indeed wouldn't--rd choose some
one civil. not you"
ssAh, you're jealous Of Ismay, and /
don't wender; but I'm not going TO talk
about her just now. Do you know
came home specially to see you p
81 wondered what had made you
leave the river SO early, but I'm not
surprised to hear that was the attrac-
ton.
"You conceited monkey; ( should en-
Joy boxing your ears, but / haven tAime.
want to talk seriously.
I giggled outright, but he pulled my
hand through his arm, and we marched
OF Ia silence. After minutes pause. I
opened my mouth 70 speak, but be broke
Gu, you know I'm going away TO-
morrow.
+" Well 2"
NO. I'm very glad / hope you win
come back improved. You require I'M
You tiresome creature r. BE threw
down my hand. ''Nhy won't Jon be
serious
81 SIN serious. You're asking me
stupid questions, and I'm answering
them seriously. "
ooh, Juliet, Why WON'T Jon UNDER
standf Don't you know I'm sorry to
leave you -
I nodded. ssOF course ron are"
ssAnd ron must know the reason why,
ia: I'm fond Of you.
"Yes, I know that TOO.
You're RELY past al endurance.
Must 1 explain every thing. just as e you
we're baby. I'm not fond of yOn Il
that way.
Which ways" / insa.rupted inno-
uensl