Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-08-22
A PRISONER OF WAR.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
"There she comes now," cried Kitty
Coram, standing on tiptoe to peep over
the great gate in front of the old brick
house.
And George, her elder sister, came
flying up the snowy path, with cheeks
like roses, brown eyes that sparkled mer-
rily, and huge, fiat parcel under her
arm.
'sDo look like the town carriera" she
demanded, jubilantly. "Oh, have run
so fast from the train, to get into the
wood-path before the grand sleigh from
Ormistan Hall overlook me. 1 can't bear
Mrs. Ormistan to put up her eyeglasses
at me and drawl out, How do you do,
ma dcah2 How's your deah awntG"
"Wcll, George, what luck2"
"Oh, splendid," the new arrival
breathlessly responded. "Seven yards
of three-inch deep embroidery on white
merino. And we're to get dollar a
yard, if it suits"
"Scven dollars!" repeated Kitty. "a
deal of money, isn't iti But how we
shall have to work for it!
ats world of work" /" responded the
elder girl, clapping her cold hands to re-
store the circulation and making haste to
unfasten the collar of her black cloth
coat. elbow nice the fire looks. just
like picture. What blessing it is that
our wood doesn't cost us anything"
"Oh, blythe way" said Kitty, sold
Giles wanted to chop down the big, black
oak tree next"
''What! The big one on the edge of
the swamp2 Tc cut it down! Is he a
Goth, or Vandala"
''Just what said. It's the only tree
in the neighborhood that has mistletoe
growing all over it. l wouldn't lose that
beautiful old tree for hundred dollars ~
''Neither would 1, said George, ,drily.
ESPECIALLY as don't know of anybody
who would offer us hundred dollars fol
it."
Just at that moment, by one of those
strange condolences which are more
common in this world than people have
any idea of, old Jane, the rheumatic
servant, came hobbiing to the door.
.Does Aunty Anne want us, Jane?'
cried eager George. SIN going to hel
directly"
"'Tain't your aunt, MISS" said Jane
"It's Mr.. Miles, the footman, from
Ormistan Hail."
George turned, with glittering eyes
to her sister.
81 told you so," she whispered
"We're going to be invited, after all, t.
the party"
| "And he says" droned on Jane, "hi
missus wants to know what you'll TAX
for all the dark-green shiny leaves
mistletoe, you calls 'em, doesn't youa-
on the big swamp oak. They want 1t TO
decorations"
A sudden change passed over George
face, such as comes across landscap
when the sun retires behind q cloud
Kitty froze visibly also.
"Tell Mr.. Miles, from Ormistan Hall,
said George, Ito give my compliment
Miss Coram's-to his mistress, and sa
that the mistletoe is not for SALE"
Old Jane withdrew. George an
Katy stood looking at each other.
"Oh, Georgie, ''said the younger, "di
you want so much to go2 But l tol
you how it would be; they never had th
least idea of inviting us. We don't bt
long to the enchanted circle"
"Yet they brought Colonel Hay hel
in wild strawberry time to spend the da
down by the Moss Rocks, said Georgi
in slightly tremulous voice. "An
they always bring picnic parties here
summer to go over the old house an
row on our lake."
I ssWe are convenience" said Kit
, eve are not on Miss Omissions regul
visiting list"
"But did think that Colonel HI
would have called, after all he said tn
day." softly murmured George.
: Sand so he would, you may be We
sure," said Kitty, ''if Dorinda Ormist,
would have let him. She's a deal t.
polite George dear, to let him contrs
her thirty year-old complexion al
IS pale-blue eyes with your roses and spa
d kles."
swell, it doesn't matter much now
said George, mournfully. 81 dare s
'a he has forgotten us-there's no earth
IS reason why he shouldn't. Now | mi
l. go up to Aunty Anne's and tell her
\ my adventures in New York"
I, For old Miss Coram sat up in
= room, neatly embroidering flannel
an order from the South. A lady be
al and bred, yet she saw no degradation
these bread-earning tasks.