Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-11-29
dagger and loops innumerable of black


turning her spectacle glasses full on the
girl.
'I've been trimming bonnet for
you"
"You might have saved yourself the
trouble" sharply spoke the matron.
But don't you like it9" pleaded
Leona, who was beginning to tremble all
over.
"It's very nice, dare say, but Pm
very well suited already with what I've
got"
"But, Aunt Bliven-"
"'Taint worth while to discuss the
matter" said Mrs. Bliven, drily. 81
calculate I'm old enough to choose for
myself what I'll wear and what won't!"
Leona shrank into herself like the
leaves of sensitive plant; she crept
back to her bedroom with the rejected
triumph of home made millinery, and
had good cry over it.
Presently she heard her aunt calling:
"Myral Myra"
She ran out.
''Oh, Aunt Bliven, had forgotten to
tell you. Myra had a telegram from her
sister up at Portland, and she had to run
to catch the 10 o'clock train. Her sis
ters husband has had an accident, and l
promised her I'd explain it to you. She'll
be back as soon as they possibly can
spare her, and I'm to do the housework
while she is gone"
Old Mrs Bliven shifted discontentedly.
''Seems to me people are always havin
accidents" said she. "However, you
may go and pick some Lima beans and
sweet corn, and we'll have dish of good,
old fashioned succotash. Myra is good
cook, butshe never could make succo-
tash. And in the afternoon We'll have
Toby harnessed up and drive over to
Widow Sally Smiths to tea"
The long shadows of afternoon were
lying athwart the closely mown grass
when old Toby was led to the door, and
Mrs. Bliven called loudly to Leona to
bring down her bonnet and shawl.
The girl, who had no especial fancy
for the society of Widow Sally Smith
and her hard voiced daughters, istlessly
obeyed.
But the moment she opened the "best
bedroom" door, where the old lady kept
her choicest treasures, she uttered shrek
of dismay. There, on the floor, in Sc
ries of jagged strips and indistinguish-
able debris, lay Mrs. Blivens's famous
Leghorn bonnet!
Goodness mel" cried shrill voice,
Hwhat's the matter2"
And Leona became conscious that old
/ Mrs. Bliven had toiled heavily up the
stairs, and stood close beside her, .peering
over her shoulder. Her face grew black
as night.
ooh, Aunt Bliven," gasped Leona,
chow could this have happened2"
''I see through it all, plain enough, "
said Mrs. Bliven. "You needn't trouble
to tell any lies about it, Leona Parish |
heard what you and Myra were talking
about yesterday morning-about the old
lady and the bonnet that was shipped to
/ pieces and the blame laid on rats. It's Il
very smart, ingenious plan, / don't
doubt; but somehow it don't suit me to
have such very smart, ingenious folks
about my premises. So, if you please,
I'll dispense with the rest of your visit.
The horse and wagon are at the door,
and little Peter will drive you to the de-
pot as soon as ever you've packed your
trunk"
''But, Aunt Blivcn, never"
81 told you I'd have no more false
hoods" sternly interrupted the old lady.
II don't know what sort of consciences
you girls have, in this age of the world
Be silent, / say, and obey me"
And thus, in all the bitterness of un-
merited disgrace, Leona was turned out
of the house, that was beginning to b'
unspeakably dear to her.
James Bliven, when he came home,
was thunderstruck.
Mother, for heavens sake, cried he
'twhat is this? The girl has no place tC
go to-"
, "Let her 90 back to the boarding
school she came from!" said Mrs. Bliven
sternly. ''I'll have no double-dealers il
this housem
: "I'n go after her and bring her back.
, "You'll do as you choose" said thu
old woman; "but if Leona's the girl
take her to be, she won't come wit