The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-08-07
SELECTED.
MISS DORoThY'S ROMANCE.

Dorothy Field looked very sweet and
detnufe rs win hoI father; cd SSitssase
Field. and her tall, rather loosely-hung
brother Andrew, she walked to church
one Sunday morning forty years ago.
The little village of Framleigh was always
quiet, yet on Sunday morning 1t seemed
even more peaceful than usual, Dorothy
was sometimes little oppressed by the
calm, and wished it would not make it.
self quite so obtrusive. But on this May
morning no such rebelious thoughts were
In her mind, for she entered into the
gently beguiling mood of nature, and her
heart was full of sunshine.
As they neared the rather stately-look-
ing brick church little groups were seen
coming from all directions, for every one
In Framleigh went to church. Although
the congregation was not large, 1t was on
the whole a well-to.do one, for the in
habitants, of this little village, most Of
whom were descended from few aris-
tocratic old families, prided themselves
on this fact and kept up their good a!
names.
As Eorothy, from the place in the
choir, looked over the familiar faces
which showed themselves over the high,
straight pews, her attention was caught
by an unfamiliar face In Deacon Gray's
pew. Surely never before had she seen
this tall, elegant young man, with the
pleasant eyes and sunny hair. And as
she looked from him to her good-natured.
awkward brother, 1t seemed to her that
Andrews coat had never fitted so badly.
Occasionally, during the service, she
glanced demurely over her hymn-book at
the new face beside the staid old deacon,
ard as she was singing, In her sweet
soprano voice, Sweet Fields Beyond the
Swelling Flood" she looked over toward
the deacons pew to see II the new occu-
pant was singing, and finding his dark
eyes fixed on her with calm, interested
gaze, the simple country girl blushed and
nearly lost her place.
At the various dinner-tables In Franz
leigh that day this young man was spok-
en- Of with more or less interest: 1t be-
came generally known that he was a
cousin of the deacon's wife, and had
been studying at the medical school In
Cambridge, but was now obliged to give
his eyes rest.
The blooming damsels of Framleigh,
who outnumber the young men Of the vii
laRe were especially interested in the
stranger. Rebecca Thompson, good
natured, redcheeked girl, who was hospi-
tably inclined, was much grieved that 1t
was too late In the season to have sugar
party, that she might ask Mr.. Deane but
finally decided to content herself with a
gathering" which meant social meet
ing Of the SWANS and maidens OF Fran
leigh In the large old parlor, where they
played "fox and geese" or "around the
chimney" and ate apples and cake or
hn lisrs tbar nup
break up at ten O'Clock, when those Of
the youth who were not too bashful would
ask their favorite Mchitables or Abigails
IL they might see them home.
This kind Of gayety was quite new to
the young Harvard student, and slthoug b
he went In rather superior mood. think
ing to be mildly amused by the harmless
gambols of these country people, yet he
felt thrill Of interest as he wondered II
be should see the sweet-faced girl who
sung In the choir on Sunday.
Rebecca, the hostess, ushered him In
and introduced him to every one In the
room Then Robert did something which
quite shocked the feelings Of Framleigh
society. On one side Of the room all the
maidens were sitting, while on the op-
posite side we're all the young men, look
ing awkward enough In the stralght-back
chairs and dressed In their best clothes,
for this was the way In which the guests
always were arranged at the gathering"
until the games began. But Robert, with
an easy, graceful manner, took q seat on
the giirs side Of the room, between DorO-
thy and little Ruth Halves, and began
talking to them, - II very much 1t ease,
q proceeding which caused . surprised
hutter on one side Of the room and struck
CONSERVATION to the other.
But when they began to play games.
the chilly cir Of reserve which seemed to
encircle the company was changed to one
OF merry good humor. From the moment
when D0fothy's clear, shy eyes looked In.
to his, % she took the cats cradle OF his
hands, Robert had . feeling Of exhllara-
ton, and he knew that he shonld enjoy
himself. And when he left Dorothy at
her own door, he felt very joyful - he
walked home 70 the deacon's, and 1t seem.
cd to him that there was nothing more
charming than country village In Nay.
Dorothy came down 70 breakfast next
morning looking very trim and domestic
IN light pIint gown, and when Andrew
spoke In . Joking manner about her new
city bean, shs blushed up 70 the little
cuFls On her forehead and looked rather
conscious. aa.
That afternoon she thought she would
70 into he woods to ~ II che could 6nd
some late aSbutus. when she reached the
top Of the hill she feuud, bed OF Nay
flowers which hid come out lete, - they
we're under pine tres which bad kept
oH tAs ,sun. A. shs was bending over
tke flowers nd pulling Of TIE dssd lravs
Which coveeSd them, Dhe heard . deep
vuoce hnm111Ag: 'ss "a 90.