, 1885-04-12
WILLS WIFE.

Virginia Dare. coming down the wide stairs
into the cool wind-swept hall, where her
sister Ciceley was putting on a big shade hat
before the lo~oking-glass in the hill rack.
@Yes, l am" said Ciceley, laughing.
HStrange, isn't itf'
HYes, / think It Is" answered Virginia.
I'VE have been here only four days, and you
must already have explored the surrounding
country for at least fifty miles"
Don't exaggerato,n said Ciceley. @There
are half n dozen roads that l haven't even
looked at yet.H
you'll look at them before the day Is
over, I'll engage. Do you ever penetrate
tho inner recesses OF the farm houses along
your reuter-
"Why, Of course answered Cicoley. Il
make all sorts Of excuses TO get acquainted
with the farmers wives 1 like TO hear
them talk
II don't believe | should. l have no taste
for tho PASTORAL said Virginia
you don't care 10 culture 1t, either I'm
afraid. wish you would go with me this
afternoon. Virginia.
1T Is Of no use to wish. Nothing would
Induce me to expose myself to this sun.
You'll be simply III animated freckle. by
the time you go home, Ciceley."
II suppose So said Ciceley, drawing on a
pair of slate-colored cotton gloves, Abut l
MI Ib1Akuou " NY Ahlt. 4 munl kO Jul L
couldn't endure to sit in the house hour after
hour as you do"
aAnd doyou imagine that l don't find
IL dullir cried Virginia. II sincerely trust |
may be spared the misery Of another
summer In such a place as thisl /
ought 70 DO enjoying myself at some
watering place, but instead, | am
vegetating in this sleepy little village.
where the arrival of tho stage every
evening Is the only excitement the natives
ever know. am heartily tire d Of going 10
places recommended 10 US simply because
they are cheap"
"You know you can nave luxury il you
choose said Cicelcy ~nonchaiantly. @and
you'd better choose soon, in my opinion, for
times up this evening"
'Oh, l shall write to-day, Of course. and
decide the matter one way or another" said
Virginia. III only he wasn't so uglyir
There's one objection or another to every
one,n said Ciceley, sagely. "You can't tx
pect perfection; and 1t seems to me hat you
are rather to old to waste sentiment on an
ideal OF the im%agination-H your last birth
day, you know"
Don't come out with my ago In that cold.
blooded manner" cried Virginia. Il fully
realize the number Of my years without
them held up individually before me"
Ciceley laughed.
1T was rather cruel, that's a fact" she
said, "but, seriously, Virginia, you ought
not to lose such an opportunity to settle
yourself well. This Is the best offer you
ever had"
"If | only loved him-even a little, - sighed
Virginia, "but I don't, and l don't believe l
ever could
That's all nonsense said Ciceley, decid-
edly. YOU'RE too old for that, as 1 said be-
FORE 1anff laIfo~-o I,.o ,o.., =. .,-.r
much, after oil, and II you're sensible write
to Horace Worth that you'll marry him in
the fall"
SO saying, she took her umbrella out Of
the rack and went out, leaving Virginia gaz-
ing meditatively at the oilcloth.
Ciceley walked slowly up the village
street past the postoffice, whore half "a dozen
men-as Is the custom in country places
were lounging on a wooden bench, smoking
and gossiping. They all gazed at her
steadily as she passed by, unconscious in the
pride of her youthful vigor and energy, she
was filed with a contemptuous wonder at
their idleness, and wished heartily that she
might tell them what she thought of them.
Coming to where, on the outskirts
OF the village, two roads met and
branched of In different directions, Cice-
ley chose the one having the most shade,
wondering as she turned into il, where 10
would lead her.
About a mile further on she came 10 a
house which looked sufficiently interesting to
make her think 1t might be worth her while
to stop and ask for a drink OF water.
1t was a large frame building painted a
dark brown. and it stood back some distance
from the road, being approached by IA neat
gravel path bordered on either side by rows
Of dark green box. In front was a large
flower bed, in which sun flowers. %geraniums,
holly-hocks, tiger-lilies, and sweet williams
bloomed in luxurious confusion. Upon one
side was a large grassy orchard, we'll stocked
with apple and pear trees, and at the back,
as far as tho oye could reach, stretched fer
tile, well-tilled fields, and green shaded
pastures.
Ciceley stopped at the little wooden gate
and looked in at tho garden a moment, then
pushed the cato open and entered. As she
did 50, a man came out of the house, a tall,
well-built, muscular, young fellow with a
clear complexion, grey eyes, and closely
cropped brown hair. He stepped out of the
path with a slight bow to let Cicely pass.
then continued his way, going out OF tho
gate, and down the road which led to the
village.
Ciceley's eyes were following his graceful
figure with a good deal Of admiration, when
the sound Of a crutch made her turn to SEQ
n little old woman standing on the porch,
framed in like a quaint, old fashioned por-
trait, by the luxuriant green vines which
crept fromIpillar to pillar.
well, dearf' she said, -interrogatiysly.
May l nave a drink OF waterT" asked
Ciceley, feeling alittle confused. "pve been
walking some distance, and the heat has
made me thirsty"
@Come in, come in " was the ready re-
Spouse. II kalkerlate we have the coolest
water in the hull country. And you'd better
rest a bit; you look all beat out"
Ciceley was only too willing to comply
with this suggestion, and followed the old
woman into a large, cool hall where she was
given a comfortable wicker rocking-chai
and a dipper OF the coolest, clearest water
she had ever drank.
DO you live here all aloneTr she asked,
as the little old woman handed her a palm
leaf fan and took her shade hat
"Well, now, that shows tina You're a
stranger ~hereabouts,r was the reply. "No-
body as he'd lived In Pottsvflle any time
would nave needed to ask that Simeon
that's my brother-he bought this place
nigh on to thirty.five years back. win he
was born here, and Mahaly she was born ON
the old place in Granger county. She's
Twin there now. Simeon he alters knlker.
lated to leave it to her, an so she didn't find
no trouble in talkin' him into lettin' Of hei
have 1t when she marriel old Winters last
spring. Old Winter he wasn't any too fore.
handed, an he was proud to git it long o.
Mahaly. Simeon. he wasn't any too we'll
pleased with the match; but he didn't
darst to say much, for he Lnowed how
dretful sot Mahaly was He give her a
good send-off, m she has clothes enough 10
last her a tol'ble spell She was that foolish
bout havin' thingsi acted like she was IA
stead O. nigh on to 10. WIN, he amt hut 81,
though there's some as says hs looks older
says It to bis trouble"