The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-02-17
= / doub. if she calls my regard a


"Why don't you try the expert
ment of proving whether 1t Is OF
not?
That might be wise-to know
the worst-only haven't spirit FOL
it"
Faint heart never won fair lady. !"
at would seem rather unfair,
wouldn't it t2-to the third party, l
mean-if you'll pardon the conceit,
unless-unless you will consent to
play proxy yourself?"
Il never thought of it." | return
ed but it would be good fun
something to laugh about when you
and Lena have married and settled
into the Darby-and-Joan style.
1t would be the only safe way,
he said. There would be no dan-
ger of mistake on either part; we
should both know our role and If |
should fail in mine," he continued,
with a gallantry touched by melan-
choly, ''and overdo it, Lena would
lose nothing she values, and you
would gain as little.
What would Lena say if she knew
we were plotting against her peace
of mind?
Weds,esdoy-So the play begins.
l was helping Lena on some gar
ments for missionary box, when a
maid came up to say that Mr. Os-
trander was waiting.
Please excuse me to him" said
Lena, laying on the patterns and
calculating the cloth ; 81 really can't
see him to-day"
1t was the other young lady he
was askin' for" corrected Bridget.
"Ohl for you," looking up alb
sently, with suspended scissors. at
is so dreadful to have an up and a
down to anything. Don't let me
keep you"
"No. l won't" said I. "We are
going out boating floating, float
ing, like a dream Mr.. Ostrander
and T."
You and Ostrander," )" she repeat
ed mechanically. Well, ask Brid-
get to put you up lunch"
She won't take my usurpation so
calmly by and by, or I'm no proph-
ct.
Monday.-Rain, nothing but rain
since Wednesday-and Ostrander.
Lena goes out all the same to ragged
schools and committees on charities.
Ostrander offers to carry her um-
brella, but she objects that his pres
ence would be embarrassing in sick
chamber or school room. He watch
es her out of sight, and returns TO
me. We played a solemn game OF
cribbage, and then, before l am
aware, l am telling him everything
| know and don't know, and really
making him laugh at my nonsense.
To-day he has an idea; he is going
to paint my portrait. OF course 1t
will be a daub. What will Lena
thiukl We have been singing
psalms and spiritual hymns all the
afternoon. Lena came in on us,
and stood listening in her dripping
clothes. They are to have a yolun-
tary choir at church, and she thinks
we might offer our services. Os-
tranier is afraid we should quarrel,
choirs are so touchy.
Thursday.-I have sat for my por-
trait several times. 1t is so odd to
see my own eyes and nose growing
upon the canvas, and the unreal
semblance of myself "a sort of
wrath. He is painting me as the
lady of Shalott. | don't half like
it. The towers Of Camelot, and
Lancelot riding down, are to be faint
limned in the dreamy distance.
I'm half sick of shadows said
The Lady of Shalott.-
4August.-Lena for some days has
made no sign. but the charm, or
counter charm, begins to work. For
a while Ostrarder and | rowed along
On the river, cantered through the
green roads of Newbury to Crane
neck Hill, to cool ourselves with the
filmv vision of Mount Washington,
against the far horizon together ex-
plored every inviting path through
the woods, and scared the partridge
rom its covert. The neighbors be
gan to look askance at me. They
.hink | am stealing my cousins
over before her eyes But what do
care for their disregard, if so l |
,an secure happiness to Ostrander |
md Lena? And what matters it /
oy what roundabout way happiness !
reaches usl Besides, the more they |
'rown on me, the more Ostrander I
smiles. He is grateful that play |
ny part so well.
One day Lena proposed to join Us.
L WAS about this time that Mr.. Lo-
Yell came to illustrate Uncle Aris-
otle's book on the Andes. He pro-
posed to rival Ostrander, and paint
ne as Hilda in the Marble Fdun. |
.ould hardly spare the time to sit,
or my pleasuring with Ostrander.
Iena took a lively interest in this
portrait, brought her work to see it
row under her eyes. She was too
proud to show a like interest in Os-
rander's attempt; the Bradfords
re proud as Lucifer, and Lena is
Bradford to the backbone. So at
asst there are four of US when we
axe our pleasure out of doors. 1t
5 "a forsaking of work on Lena's
,art; she seems to have forgotten
be lame and the halt. She follows
)strander with her eyes stealthily.
wonder If her heart aches?
Ostrander does not half relish this
lew intruder; be wears wrinkle
cross his brow. / have seen him
o constantly in these weeks that |
an interpret every expression that
Its across his face. Perhaps he,
90, is tasting jealousy, and it has
litter favor. But he has no cause
DR. alarm. l could ease bis mind.
,niy last night, in the windy lane,
,hen a cloud blew over the moon, (
lr. Lowell caught me in his arms {
nd swore that | should love him {
Iilly-nilly. l was too angry to do
but tear myself away and
ow | never would. {