Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-07-03

lOHccOint Higut I'll mo- itl aH
Lisette's handsome dark face had
suddenly grown rather pale too, but
she shook off her momentary terror
and answered bravely:
cts wolf, but it won't eat us.
1t can't get into the cabin, and we're
not going to sally out and give him
neighborly reception, are we?'
II should hope NOT returned Err
mine, laughing as she rem embered
that the coyote was not considered
by the settlers particularly dan
gerous animal.
So they gradually oyercame the
fears which the lonely prairies at
first inspired, and resolutely set to
work to make their barren posses
sions "blossom as the rose
1t would have been nine days
wonder to their Eastern friends
could they have seen those two slen-
der, delicate girls planting and hoe
ing in the few acres which they had
hired "broken upo by one Of the
young farmers in the neighborhood.
Then, in the intervals of heavier
labor, dainty moss-edged flower-beds
were laid out in front of the little
cabin, and the praries rified of their
choicest wild flowers with which to
deck them. Cool green vines were
soon climbing luxuriantly over the
implanted walls, while inside hum
dred skillful little touches of cheap,
bat tasteful decorations, gave home
like appearance to the issolated lit
tie dwelling that was very inviting.
"Now that our farming is done for
the SUMNER said Ermine one even
ing, as they sat on the doorstep en-
joying the beauty and fragrance of
their pretty flower beds, as well as
the more substantial work of their
hands in the vegetable garden be-
yond, II feel an inspiration coming
over me to return to my old occupa-
ton. Don't you believe, Lisette,
that even in this out-of-the-way
place there may be enough vain devo-
tees of fashion to keep my needle
occasionally employed and my tai
ents from rusting p
"Of course l do,'' said Lisette, de-
cidedly. "Have you forgotten the
mansion on the hill just beyond the
western boundary of our claim, and
the carriageful Of fashionable young
ladies we saw driving out sthere n
week ago? I've no doubt they
would employ you gladly, for your
taste and skill are simply exquisite,
mon anle. 1t is thousand pities to
bury such grace and talent under
the roughness Of a farmers life. But
we've got our land, thank fortune p
Lisette added, her black eyes snap
ping with triumph.
eyes, | might get work there, per-
haps," said Ermine, musingly, her
fair face flushing at Lisette's we'll
deserved compliment "And if you
could only find a school, Lisette--"
"Oh, bother the schools ~ broke
in that young lady, irreverently.
"I'm sick and tired of them, Ermine;
and, | give you my word, I'd q thou
sand times rather train these beam
stalks and morning-glory vines how
to climb than the young idea 'how
to shoot, any day. And speaking
of shooting, Min, reminds. me that
I've almost concluded trade with
young Thompson for that rifle I've
coveted so long, and he has promised
to give me few lessons in its use"
ooh, Lisettel ~ cried Ermine, with
scared white face, uplifting her hands
in horror. you'll be certain to
kill yourself or some one else if you
persist in that wild undertaking.
Do, please, give up the idea before
it is too late.n
"Couldn't think of it," was the
prompt answer. "And / guess you'll
be glad enough to have some one in
the house who can shoot when the