The Portland daily press., 1888-03-03
TWO OF A KIND.
BY FLETCHER REEDE.
[Peterson's Magazine.l

ing already appeared in society as buds,
were now in various stages of bloom ant
blossom.
Lillian, tall graceful girl Of 10, stood by
the open window, half hidden behind the
lace draperies that swayed back and forth IN
the light breeze; whice Grace, the younger,
bent over her embroidery, absorbed in the
mystery OF the latest Kensington designs.
The air was full of the indeinable fresh
ness and fragrance of early spring. A hand
organ, that appeared as silently and almost
as mysteriously as the crocus-buds beneath
the window, was grinding out wheezy wei
come to the April sunshine. Little patche:
of green lay here and there on the Common
like hopeful prophets, in the sun, the spar
rows chirped noisily in the trees, and the
faint sweet odor of the opening maple buds
mingled with the heavy perfume of the hya.
cinths in the window.
Lillian" said Dorothy, looking up from
the paper which she had been reading, 81
have found my mission"
'Have you?" inquired Lillian, with Ian
guild interest. Sand what may it be, pray?'
Don't scott, Lii dear" answered Dorothy
''but listen" And, glancing down the col
umn of Wants." she read the following
tenn:
'Wanted-An intelligent and eomely
young woman, Ecapable Of doing plain and
fancy cooking. She will be received as one
of the family, in quiet country home
Address, Mrs. Helen Henderson, Maple
wood, VT"
"Therev' exclaimed Dorothy, waving her
paper. sam not comely? Am not in
telligent? And can't do plain and fancy
cooking. after three-months' course with
Miss Parloa and Mrs. Lincoln? The place
was evidently made for me, and L for the
place."
g"But. Dolly" exclaimed Grace, ''you are
not really in earnessP You couldn't take a
servants position and expect to be received
in society again"
''Nonsensew replied Dorothy. Society
needn't know anything about it. Society
win be politely informed that am spending
the summer with my aunt in the country.
She is our aunt, you know. Don't you re-
member the winter she made mamma visit,
just before l came ont, and how she reviled
us, one and all? Boston girls she said,
COuiu 10 UOluluB Dub dlbcuu DIOWulhS Oiupo
and French classes, and dance the German.
Now, will show her that they can DO all
that, and something else beside. Mamma
will give me a recommendation"
"Mamma will do nothing of the kind" in
terposed Lillian from the window. She has
engaged rooms at the Falmouth from the first
of June, and Goldthwait is to begin on our
dresses tomorrow"
Dorothy looked up with bright SMILE
LILLIAN, you and mamma ought TO be glad
TO have me off your hands, especially when, l
relinQuish, once and forever, all claim to
those charming toilets which Goldthwait is
in that wonderful brain of hers.
Think of the peachblow silk, Lii, and the
India embroidery, and be grateful for my
inspiration"
to enthusiasm by the generosity of this unex-
peeted offer. but what are you to gain
from it all?"
SUGGEST answered Dorothy dramatical-
ly. And, Selling her sister by the waist, she
waited gently around the room to the strain
of the untiring handorgan outside. just
then a caller was announced.
Dorothy glanced at the card.
"'Mr. Clement Rich Give him my ex-
cuses, please. have an important letter to
write-a business letter connected with my
arrangements for the summer. Don't betray
me, girls" She hastily disappeared through
'One door, just as the caller entered by an
other.
Mr.. Clement Rich was young man with
good figure and a prospective fortune
There was absolutely nothing to be said
against him, and he was greatly admired by
all discreet and sensible mammas.
If the lines of his mouth indicated irreso-
luton and indecision, no one was the wiser;
for his handsome blonde moustache was so
well trained as to conceal the fact in man
ner that was both clever and becoming; and,
if the young ladies voted him dull they must
have been very exactlng to expect nature TO
.bestow all her good gifts on one person.
If Mr.. Clement Rich was not intellectual,
neither was he arrogant; if he was dull he
was good-tempered; and the annoyance
which he experienced at being deprived Of
the pleasure of the eldest Miss MillerS socl-
ETY. found no expression in the gentle suayity
of his tone and manner
He had fallen into the habit of depending
on Miss Dorothy to guide the conversational
frigate of an evenings call; and, at first,
feeling someNOW as If he had lost his bear
ings. he was puzzled how to proceed. But,
IL the conversation moved less brlskly than
was its wont, it was also less exactlng; ana;
to a person Of Mr.. Rich's ability, 1t seemed
quite as pleasant, now tsat he had tried It,
to drift quietly with the tide OF almless talk,
while he allowed all his energy 10 become
in the contemplation 81 Liiiiah
fair face
He had for long time considered hlmsen
hopelessly in love with Miss Dorothy, Dut ne
missed her much less than he would have ex-
pected; and when at parting, he told lne
young ladies that he had spent most ue-
Iightful evening, he did not feel that his I'M
conscience had been stained ny
even the shadow of an untruth.
Lillian went upstairs with half-smile on
her lips, that made her look prettler than
ever. AS she looked into Dorothy's room to
say good night. she hesitated moment ana
then said abruptly:
dolly, are you sure.gulte sure-that you
xvouf 20 m m Varmont 9v
"Perfectly sure" answered Dorothy with
emphasis.
to tell you that Mr.-that certain person..
is to be at the Falmouth, this season. ana, IL
you are not there, / am afrald-that some
thing may happen"
Dorothy took her sisters delicate face be-
tive on both her hands, looked into the blue
pves II It'll the faint bushes came and went
in the gin IS cheeks, and said gayly:
LET it ha ,Spen, dear--mamma VIII be very
Lillian turned away with little shame
II really am glad that Dolly doesn't care"
she said to herself; - have thought some
times. that perhaps she might" And she
went TO sleep with rosy dreams floating be-
fore her eyes, satisfied that, III tne ele,
would arrange itself quite 70 her
Early June found Mrs. Miller and her two
Young daughters S6Jtleu dJ Long IldhOo.s
where a brilliant season was predicted-ano,
N fact, already begun, according to the socl-
,ty-column of the leading paper Of the place;
Elbow much your poor dear papa would
nave enjoyed ali this" observed Mrs. Miller,
Dlaintively, as they stood together on the up
Der yeranda overlooking the. beach. ne
was so fond Of the sea, although SO ABSORBED
n business, poor man, that he never had
lime to devote to needed recreation. .
Mrs. Miller aid not often indulge In senti-
mental or painful reflections, but it seemed
proper that her daughters should be remind
ed occasionally of the fact that they once had
a father, who, it istrue, disappeared from
their view SO long ago that they were in
some danger of forgetting him. lie had been
a quiet man of simple habits, and, having
provided his family with an ample fortune,
which seemed TO be all that was expected of
him, he had unobtrusiyely exchanged this
world, with its eyerchanging tide of events.
for the serenity of that changeless world
which we have all been taught to consider
far better one.
Mrs. Miller would have considered herself
deeply sinful If she had not been resigned
and no one ever ventured to assume that she
was not; but certain events had transpired
of late which made her feel the loss of her
excellent husband in very real and practi-
cal way.
Many Of her investments had proved UNI
Fortunate; and, unless a certain combination
of railroad magnateS could be brought about,
her confidential agent warned her that moth