Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-12-12
THOSE DREADFUL GIRLS.

l4iilht INlHN' WIS lODhill3 us Otsl one
lovely morning ia Octo0rr, as Hope
Chs. ION To- her way down the ave.
uuu u. Ia.'.7. and watched the rlb-
blIs Is l.Hy NrudGgA merrily amongst
the dw, Irru stalks and the long
gTla,, gUi w The squirrel, racing up
and down l#e tll stems ul the lirs in
the background She felt she was
bound va q strange errand, size was
MOI uev' On the pang which seized her
when slp c.3luc ia sight Of the gray
pile o, home for she might call il
by thai laInr uo longer.
Her FISHER had suffered like many
of his friends during years OF agricul-
tural depression. but had brayely faced
his troubles. and having let his house
tn some Americans who were anxious
10 spend a winter in a good sporting
district, had betaken himself TO ia
maica to see if anything could be done
with al estate he possessed there;
while his wife and children took up
their abode for the time in the Dover
house, an old red brick building,
whose garden walls joined the park
on the side where the village street
came up TO the lodge gates. Hope
and her mother, who was an invalid,
had been with Mr.. Charlton to Mead
hampton, and Hope had seen the last
of tine steamer which had conveyed
HIM away. and was now bent on car
rying out his final instructions. aud
seeing that the housekeeper made
everything look its best for the recep-
ton oi Mrs. Caleb Gerrans and her
daughters Pauline and Clarissa. She
made a pretty picture in the autumn
sunshine as she walked briSkly on,
her gray cap and ulster suiting well
her slim figure and her blue eyes and
bright hair.
The next morning was one of those
hopelessly we days which make one
feel as if the world could never be dry
again, and Hope was hearing her little
sisters lessons. when she was inter
rupoed by a ring at the door bell and
the almost immediate entrance of two
tall girls, who each seized one of her
hands, and exclaimed, in a rapid duet:
We'll, now, you are real goodl we
are ever SO much obliged TO you. Did
youvpick all those nosegays, and fix
up our bedrooms9 They are just
lovelyl II Is wet enough to drown a
beaver, but we put on thick shoes and
wrappers, and came right along.
Hope fell somewhat bewildered with
the highly pitched voices and the
twaug. a. well as by the extreme
beauty Of her visitors; but when they
Were seated IN the faded arm chairs by
the library fire, and she had time TO
disentangle Pauline from ClariSsa, she
enjoyed the long chat which ensued.
The entrance of her mother caused a
diversion, and when the frail looking
lady took her place on the sofa ClarisSa
exclaimed.
GA. my are you sick, ma'Gmi am
real sorry"
Mother Is not strong" exclaimed
Hope; and the young ladies did not
stay long, fearing they should weary
her.
My dear, what dreadful girls!"
said Mrs. Charlton, settling herself
among her cushions, as the door closed
on the visitors.
Hope laughed. They were very
kind, mother, and they like the dear
old house, and eve said one word of
pity 10 US for having 10 leave il. |
feared they would. They lind it diff
cult 10 get Mrs. Potter 10 understand
what they would like in some things,
and l am going up this afternoon to
talk 10 her. They really live IN a
place they say is 'out west, but are
come jail now from New York. and
Their brother will join them soon, they
hope.
Their broiAcrI" said Mrs. Charl-
ton. Il thought Mr.. G%errans was the
father OF lie family
No; their father died ten years
ago replied Hope.
Il sAull never endure them or their
brother said Mrs. Charlton, and
they Oh II to have waited iii we
called Oh them; it was taking a liberty
10 rush IN like that"
Hope was delighted with her visit
10 the manor in the afternoon, and
found Mrs. Caleb Gerrans charming.
She was small and dark, with bright
eyes and a sallow face, aud exquis-
itely dressed. She greeted Hope or
daily, and babe her come right
close" TO the fire, while she seated her
self in a luxurious chair, and holding
a tiny handkerchief in one hand,
shaded her face from the flames with
a feather fan held in the other, and re-
counted her difficulties with Mrs.
Potter
she never heard Of waiiles!' she
said, plaintiyely.
And had no notion what hominy
was!' said Pauline.
"She thought only children liked
molasses" put in Claassa.
Hope laughed merrily, and a bright
hour followed. during which she be-
came accustomed to thequaint phrases
OF her friends, and was delighted with
their pleasure at the prospect of life in
England, and never tired Of answer
ing their innumerable questions. Her
visit made a subject for conversation
all the evening with her mother, and
she felt that a new interest had en-
tered her life.
Tho three girls very speedily be-
came friends, and Pauline aud Clasissa
were also % popular in the neigh.
borhood. Their piquant faces, beauti.
full dresses and socilble manners stood
them in good stead, and they rode
well, walked a great deal, and went in
and out Of the cottages, and talked 10
old and young as if they had been
amongst them for wears. They inya-