Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1889-11-17

ago." replied Hope.
o''I shall never endure them or their
brotheri" said Mrs. Charlton, land
they ought to have waited till We
called on them; It was taking liberty
to rush in like that"
Hope was delighted with her visit
to the manor in the afternoon, and
found Mrs. Caleb Gerrans charming.
She was small and dark, with bright
eyes and sallow face, and exquis-
itely dressed. She greeted Hope cor
daily, and babe her come right
close" to the fire, while she seated her
self in luxurious chair, and holding
tiny handkerchief in one hand,
shaded her face from the flames with
feather fan held in the other, and re-
counted her difficulties with Mrs.
Potter.
"She never heard of wafhesl" she
said, plaintively.
"And had no notion what hominy
was" said Pauline.
"She thought only children liked
molasses:" put in Clarissa.
Hope laughed merrily, and bright
hour followed, during which she be-
came accustomed to the quaint 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.
The three girls very speedily be-
came friends, and Pauline and Clarissa
were also soon popular in the neigh
borhood Their piquant faces, beauti.
full dresses and sociable manners stood
them in good stead, and they rode
well, walked a great deal, and went in
and out of the cottages, and talked to
old and young as if they had been
amongst them for years. They inva,
riably called Mrs. Charlton "Ma'am, :"
and astonished the youthful vicar OF
the parish by addressing him as Sir"
while they told Dole Charlton she
was real smart" and said Mile was
the ''cunningest little darling" they
ever saw.
''Mr. Gerrans is a most charming
man!' was the unexpected greeting
Hope received one afternoon in the
week before Christmas, as she opened
the library door on her return from a
walk with her little sisters.
''Is he, mother2 You have seen him,
then2" was the smiling response.
"Yes; lie has been here for nearly
an hour, and he might be an English
man as far as manners and appearance
go" said Mrs. Charlton, by way OF be-
slowing the highest praise in her
power on her new acquaintance.
"Does he mean to stay longG" In
CURED Hope.
81 do not know" was the reply,
.sbut imagine he does, for he is plan
ming all sorts of improvements; he is
going to drain the meadow by the al
ders, and put up new gates in all the
Home farm Enclosures, and"-
'But, mother" interrupted Hope,
.'those things are not a tenants bust
ness, am sure. Why should he do
it,"
ssHe says he cannot help feellng IN,
terested in the place, his mother and
sisters have been SO happy here; ne
thanked me warmly for all the kind
ness shown them He seems to have
thought of all the things your father
has SO much wished to do.
Z Z: hen did he arrives" asked Hope,
!; IN a tone of yexation. BE seems to
have become very quickly acquainted
with the state of dilapidation we are
inf :,
ssDo not speak like that, my love; it
sounds as # you were not pleased.
Ms Gerrans arrived yesterday, and
has DeeD about with Hopkins this
morning. He brought an yitatien
sffrora his IS ipot hels for you to- dine there
MIG Z :g1s s.Qala 3 q