Smyrna times., 1886-05-12

You're mistaken. l would sooner
die than marry a country girl"
But, Fred, suppose her intelligent,
moral, full of natural poetry, tender
hearted, graceful, unspoiled by admira-
ton, a guileless, simple, loving crea-
ture?"
"Oh," said Fred, "choice collection
of virtue and grace. Country beauties
are always sweet, and so are country
COWS. No, 1 tell you, if she was
as lovely as an angel, with the best
sense in the world, still if unskilled in
music and literature, with no soul
above churns and knitting needles, l
would not marry her for fortune"
"Ha! hap laughed Helen Irving,
but it was a very pianissimO laugh,
way down in the very corner Of her
heart. Hidden by the trunk of a very
large tree, she sat reading within few
feet of the egotist.
In another moment the young lady
came in sight. Fred's face crimsoned,
and he whispered, with visible trepida-
ton:
"Do you think she heard me?"
mo-" replied the other, audibly,
" she shows no resentment; she has
not even looked up from her book /;
you are safe she could not have heard
you; but what an angel she is"
Yes, Helen was an angel, as far as
outward beauty might merit the en-
comium. She sat half-reclining on a
rustic seat. striving to smooth out the
dimples in her cheeks as she laid her
book aside and began twining an un-
finished wreath of wild roses.
Leaning on one white arm, the
gnarled white oak tree in the back
ground, flowers strewn around her,
peeping from her white dress, she sat
quite at her ease, apparently uncon-
scious that two handsome young gen
tlemen were so near her.
Approaching, with low bow, upon
which his mirror had set the seal OF
faultless elegance, Frederick Lane took
the liberty of asking if the young lady
would inform him where Mr.. Irving
lived.
With an innocent smile, the beauty
looked up.
"Mr. Irving, the only one in the vii
lage, is my father" she said, rising in
a charming and graceful manner
"The large house on high ground, hal
hidden by trees and thick shrubbery
that's where we live. l believe it was
an academy once, that's sort of selec
school, isn't it ?'' with the most nat
ural simplicity, turning to Fred.
He replied with another graceful
bow.
"Tell your father" said he, that
shall do myself the honor to call on
him tomorrow. He Will remember
me, Frederick Lane, at your service.
" Yes, sir; l will tell him for you,
said Helen, tucking her sleeve arounC
her pretty arm, and making a rathe
formal courtesy. Then catching VI
her book and gathering some flower
she hurried home.
Now, father, mother, aunt ant
sis" exclaimed the merry girl, bound
| ing into the room where the famil,
were at supper, 80 sure as you and
| live, that Mr.. Lane you talk so mucl
about is in the village. He will cal
here to-morrow-the first specimen O
a city beau las of course he is), all sen
| timent, refinement, faultless in kids
spotless i'll dicky, important and self
assured as one of that class can possi
bly, be. Promise me, all of you, tina
you'll not lisp one word about music
reading and writing in his presence, be
cause l have a plan. Father will moi
I know; but if you, sis, will keep quie
and ask nc questions, will give yO
that wOrk-box you have coveted s
long"
"Helep, you are not quite respect
full" said her father.
"Forgive me, dear father" and he
arms were around his neck. :" al
ways meant well, but 1 am thought
less. There, all is sright nOw," she sale
kissing him lovingly on the cheek.
"COme, sis, what say you ?"
"Why, on that condition, I'll be a
still as a mouse, but what's you
reason ?"
"Ahl that's my own business" sal
Helen, dancing out of the room.