Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-20
A VILLAGE BEAUTY.

! Dacre-s village which produced crops OF
pretty girls, just as naturally as 1t did big
rocks, shaded roads, cool glens and pict-
uresque and highly dangerous water
falls
Everyone liked Dora The young men,
because she was handsome and unaf.
fected; the girls because she was amiable
and always had the prettiest patterns OF
any one in the village, and was quite
ready to lend them: and the m ammas on
account Of her substantial charms-such
broad meadows, such goodly cattle, and
stores of linen made up by the hands OF
the thrifty Dora; such massive silver and
Old fashioned china rs belonged to Des-
con Maxwell, and a goodly portion OF
which must go to his eldest and hand
soonest daughter, would have made even
a sQuint, red hair and bad temper endur-
able in their eyes.
So all the village regarded her as a sort
Of personal property, and every mother
who had a marriageable son watched over
her with vigilance and interest truly sur
prising, and which ought 10 utterly con-
found those who don't believe in the na-
tural goodness and purity Of human
nature. Spite of which, in her 23rd year,
Dora was Dora Maxwell still-a fact
which she didn't take at all at heart,
though some Of the envious had com
menced to whisper, "old maid"
II was the first Sunday in June, a
warm, balmy, smiling, fragrant morning,
just deepening into noon, as the deacon
and his family came home from church
Mrs. Maxwell had on her loose dress and
was summing herself by the window,
while Dora and her two sisters, having
laid away their hats and parasols, were
getting dinner, when their mother ex-
claimed: Dear me, IL there amt Eph
Schenck comm up the walk" The girls
giggled, and Dora Redeemed
Eph Schenck was a long, tall, sham
bling, freckled, red-haired youth, who
had disagreeable way of driving over to
church from his fathers farm (ten miles
distant) and then concluding to take in
ner with Deacon Maxwell She knew just
how it would be. He would sit there in
that corner by the eight-day clock, his
chair tipped back, his huge mouth open
and his eyes fastened on her in stupid ad-
miration. He would choke himself at
dinner, and break out in perspiration in
trying TO say something tender In her ear.
He would go with them to church and
tumble up the steps; he would tread on
her dress and tear it; he would insist on
singing out OF the same book with her,
and to a doleful tune of his own imagin-
ing; he would stare at her during the ser
mon and wipe his shining head alter
nately till he had all the younger portion
of the congregation engaged in doing
their best not to giggle He would go
back and choke himself at tea, and after
tea father would go to look after the
chickens, and mother and the girls
TO see about the work, and then
who could tell II he wouldn't take
it into his stupid head to ask her to be
Mrs. Eph Schenck. Down went the cloth
from Dora's hand as this last dreadful
possibility presented itself to her mind,
and away she ran, like a startled deer,
across the garden and out of little back
gate into the broad meadow, where she
almost rushed into the arms Of James
Van Buskirk, the clever son OF good
for nothing father. who bade fair to re-
trieve the position which his father had
lost, but being only half way up the hill,
was only partially countenanced by all
those prudent and worthy people who
will nearly shake your hand off when you
are safely at the top.
Dora was about to pass him with dig
nified bow, but the young man, whose
dark eyes were dancing with mischief,
stopped her by gravely inquiring II she
had the dyspepsia and was running for
exercise.
mo, sir, / am in a hurry" tartly ar
swered Dora, who thought 1t was none o.
his busines
~Oh, indeed, don't let me detsin yo1,
then" and, turning, he coolly walked OIL
beside her.
Dora bit her lip. James Van Buskirk
was the smartest, the worthiest, and the
most agreeable young man of her
acquaintance; but she was Maxwell,
and, though it was never openly spoken
OF, there was coat of arms, and certain
traditions of titles and ancient splendor
that she had not forgotten. She would
not be uncivil to Mr.. Van Buskirk, but,
of course, she could not encourage him;
and holding her head at a much loftier
angle than usual, she marched on erect,
and in silence.
Il think | saw Mr. Schenck drive by a
few moments ago." remarked James, did
/ not!"
lulpS AlhtAsp Oub "hdt oi Ak1
Nothing only it struck me as little
that according to my cal
you must have gone out Of the
back door precisely as he entered the
front one"
This was too much for Dora's gravity,
and she burst into a hearty laugh.
you may think 1t does not concern
me" proceeded the young man. with the
same imperturbable gravity, but l am
only in pursuit of information. Am to
Miss Maxwell, that when
wish to see you, my best way will be to
knock at your fathers door, and then
take the shortest cut to the Meadow"
Dora could hardly credit her senses.
James Van Buskirk visit her, Wish to
see herr In doubt whether to give him a
saucy, or a coldly- -scornful answer, she
looked up; but, in spite of herself, her
cheeks glowed with blushes, and her eyes
fell before the kindling glance that met
her own. James smiled to himself
You have not answered me- he said,
after short pause.
IL don't know what you mean," she
My fathers house is open to
all"
The young man shook his head
Il don't doubt that, but that Is not the
question 1t is you i care for. Will
you receive nle, Do you say that may
comef
Dora was silent.
Speak" he said impetuously. T have
no fear or shame in asking you to be my
wife, heiress though you are. want
nothing that is your fathers, nor would
take it; but swear to you, that if you
will only have the courage to acknowledge
the love that know has long been in
your heart, Twill at no distant day place
you in q position far above the one in
which you now are"
Dora trembled, for his words awakened
echoes in her heart for which she could
nowise account; but pride and prejudice |
are strong-stronger than love, and she |
only answered: