The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-03-11
PASHA.

PASHA.
1t was very foolish of Mr.. Peppers
to think he could keep Jessica from
falling in love, and other people from
falling in love with Jessica; she was
altogether too pretty for that. Just
seventeen, with a round, rosebud face,
wealth of dark brown hair and the
sweetest temper in the world. 1t was
sight to see her upon her weather.
beaten, choleric old fathers arm on
the way to church. He looked like q
thunder cloud which had captured a
sunbeam; or. as the young men irrev-
erently said, a pompous old turkey
cock escorting dove.
He glared about to the right and
left, snorting defiance at admirers, so
that the sunbeam glowed and the dove
tluttered under very difficult circum.
stances. But there she was, in spite
OF the peculiar paternal oppression,
the brightest, sweetest creature you
can imagine; and with bit of native
coquetry about her, too, that made
even the lifting of those curling, dark
lashes extremely perilous to the mascu-
line hearts so plentiful about her.
Caltord was full of young men.
There was college, and anaval acad-
envy, and a pianoforte mandatory
there; then Calford was headquarters
tor artists. the scenery was so beauti-
full: And it so Glanced that there were
few young ladies in the town.
feter Peppers was q WidOwer. He
had browbeaten his little wife to death
when she was very young. She had
left him two daughters, Rebecca, made
of the same harsh material as her fa-
Their, and Jessica, who was exceeding
~ like what the mother had been.
There was no danger of any one fall
ing in love with Rebecca, or Becca, as
she was called. Her tart and puckery
countenance carried terror to the
stoutest masculine heart, and she was
left whitening on the stem, in her thir-
ty-second summer. Her father found
IN her spirit equal to his own, but
they 9TH agreed in keeping strict
watch upon Jessica.
Yet, in spite of continual scolding
and fault-tinding, Jessica continued to
be as happy as a bird. She had youth
and hope on her side, and she could
hardly 60 abroad without getting some
hint of her power.
Jessica had been allowed the priv
ilege of an intimate friend, a very
sweet girl afflicted with lamencss.
named Olive Allys; but Olives two
brothers came home from sea. and this
intimacy was interdicted by Mr.. Pep
pers.
Jessica was no more to visit her
friend.
To do Mr.. Pepper justice, he was
very fond OF Jessica, and proud of her.
He knew she was charming and good,
and without much forethought he de-
termined to keep her to himself.
But fate AMI Mr.. D'Albert were too
much for Mr.. Peppers.
Mr.. D'Albert was the principal of
the naval academy. He saw Jessica,
and then meeting her again at church
party, asked his landlady for an intro
ductiOn to her.
Mrs. Jsponica hesitated, declaring
"Actually, daren't.
AAAA' "Ou1uu \ Ike
''But l should,'' laughed Mr.. DIAL
bert.
''Mr. Peppers never allows gentle
men to pay attention to Jessica. If it
were Becca, now, the case would be
Different
''lt's not Becca. l wouldn't kiss
Becca for fifty pounds
mercy! Well, when you get a
chance to kiss Jessica, let me Know
Il will.''
Mr.. D'Albert went away and found
some more daring soul who was willing
to introduce him to pretty Jessica.
He stood by her side some ten min
utes, saying the usual pleasant nothings
OF society, admiring the smiling red
mouth and dimpled cheeks, and guess
ing at the length of the curling dark
lashes, when Mr.. Pepper discovering
the situation, with a portentious mt,
ting up of his under lip, fastened upon
the scene, and, frowning heavily into
Mr.. D'Albert's handsome face, drew
Jessica away.
Mr.. D'Albert's quiet smile told that
he understood the situation, and the
lookers-on laughed, but no one guessed
the end.
Mr.: D'Albert did not guess it him.
self until weeks had flown, and he had
somehow accumulated vast deal of
information concernig the Peppers.
Then he became acquainted with Olive
Allys and the latter spoke of her friend
with enthusiasm.
'1f were young man. concluded
Olive, excitedly, I'D fall in love with
Jessica, and run away with her. She
is so bright and pretty, and she never
gets taken out for concert, or a ride
or sail, as the other girls do. They
keep her as close as nun, and viii
until she's dried to parchment, like
Becca: don't see how poor Jessica
bears tim sure / don't!''
Mr.. D'Aibert had spells of deep
thought after this conversation, especi-
ally on learning that the only place
where Jessica was allowed to walk of
Sunday evening was in the cemetery.
1t CHANGED, too, that from his win
dow he could see the back garden
where Jessica sewed and read, and
tended her canary, and daily his re-
spect and interest deepened. He had
half dozen merry, joyous sisters at
home. and dwelt on the contrast.
Now it happened that Jessica
thought as much of Mr.. D'Albert as
Mr.. D'Albert thought of Jessica. She
knew his window in Mrs. Japonica's
Pretentious boarding house; knew his
horse when it galloped past her father
door; knew-at least, knew we'll
enough-where the lovely flowers
came from which sometimes reached
her.
and Becca thought Olive sent them but
Jessica knew we'll enough that the
choice and costly selection came from
an unexpected quarter. Mr.. D'Albert's
glance said as much whenever she
CHANGED to get bow from him, and if
she blushed wildly, who can wonder ?
She could not think of one objection
against Mr.. D'Albert as lover: nor. in