Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1886-02-06
Waiting and Winning.

Waiting and Winning.
ait don't matter so much now
grandma" said Ailcen, drying til,
tears that had sparkled on hel
cheeks like dew drops OIL rose
"Of course, it is very silly for me to
cry, but l couldn't help it, just al
frSt.n
"But What is hematter,my pets
said old Mrs. Harrington, sooth
ingly.
She had found Ailecn coiled NJ
in the deep embrasure Of the win
dow, where tn wiuter sunset was
strained through in deep hues OF
crimson and amber, crying bitterly
The Harrington family were am
bilious people. They had come to
Virginia and purchased, at mere
ly Iominal price, the fine old man
sion that had once belonged to a
luxurious planter, long since dead.
MI. Harrington, who had been con.
tented to raise humble corn and
pumpkins in the valley of the Con
necticut river, now devoted him.
self to the more arlstocratic crop OF
tobacco.
Mrs. Harrington. who had been
notable Yankee housekeeper,
hired two negro women to do the
housework, and cultivated society;
and the three Misses Harrington
forgot he days Of factory work and
honest district.scllool teaching in
the gentiliticS Of "Valley Lawn"
The old lady alone remained true
to her colors.
"All this is very fine" said shes
"but Idon't see what's 10 be gained
by it. Dan'l losin' money, as true
as YOU'RE bornw
"Money isn't everything, grand
ma, nsaid her daughter in law, tartly.
And When AiIeen. the orphan
cousin. came down from the New
England hills, grandma was the
only one who really welcomed her.
.tThere are three of us already"
said Selma Harrington, grudglngly
"Why couldn't she have been a
boy, so AS to help pa with the plan
tation~ said Norma.
"What do We want Of any more
girls9" sighed Juanita, whose hap-
tismal name had been "Jud!th."
"Ain't no use of growlin' about
it, said s'Pa," who could not be
made an elegant gentleman,le the
family varnsh and veneer as they
pleased. "uere she is, and here
she's, got to stay. | don't wanther
no mole'n you do; but she amt got
no friends to go to, so whatye goln'
to no about it?"
Aileen was pretty too, in her shy,
wild-daisy way, with big blue. black
eyes, reddisl.brown hair and a rich
Titanesque complexion. The Misses
Harrington were not pretty. This
was another objection, although it
was not generally discussed, and
Aileen soon knew, by instinct, that
the old grandmother was her only
friend in all the big, dreary house.
A third matter of offense cropped
out OH All Hallow Fen, when ALL
cen went out into the woods to
gather hickory nuts to burn in the
Preside blaze.
Perhaps it was not her fault that
Mr.. Daller's vicious bull jumped
through the tumble down fence
and frightened her nearly out OF
her wits; and she was doubtless not
personally responsible for the fact
that Captain Dulany Glanced to be
passing, and rescued her from the
big-horned enemy with prompt gal
lantry.
"He was so very kind!" said all
cen, wistfully. "Do you think
grandma, that | ought to tell my
aunt and the girls that he walks
with me when L go to the post OF
hce9 or that he gave me them beau
liful, deep blue asters that the,
thought | found in the copse? o.
that it was lie who discovered th'
l,;o Iu,noh Of miS,lnt..a i'm Green
ough's woodS?"
"Well, not unless they ask yon,
said old Mrs. Harrington, shrue
ging her shoulders.
For she had heard her three
granddaughter discussing the Du
lany question with some acrimonr
Pm the eldest" Selma had said
tartly, "and [ ought to have til
first chance. If any Of us is to ca
with ma at Dulany Beechcs,
shall be me!m
"You always were aselfsh thing!
said Norma. "Captain Dulany'
mother has a large library, and 80
Know very we'll that I'm literary
"l'm the Youngest, and [ don
see why l should be poked into
corner always" pouted Miss Jual
ita-Judith.
But Selma, by strength Of veal
, and tongue, had carried her poln
So when New Years Day Al
preached, and Aileen timidly col
T suited Aunt Harrington as to VIII;
she should wear, that matron opene
her large, light eyes with counte
teited Amusement.
"You, childY" said she. "syh,
/, ;ou're not to come in all! IT
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