Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-12-18
ONE IN A THOUSAND.
A STORY FOR THE GIRLS.

eyes, they're oil going to be there
Nan. and the two Fargo girls, 10 Wads-
worth-and oh, wc'll just have a glorious
timcl" and Louise Alley looked up from
the trunk she was packing, her dark eyes
shining with an anticipated Joy.
"Well, you certainly deserve some
fun if anyone ever did," rcioined her
friend, May stillman, tanning herself
vigorously with paper novel, HmalSing
martyr of yourself stewed up here in
town half the summer. Here, let me
help you shut that trunk, Rand May who
was byn means a sylph, promptly sat
on the lid till the hasp clicked in the
lock.
MIR. and Mrs. Alley had been spending
June and July abroad, the trip having
been undertaken by the doctors orders
for Mrs. Alleys health. But it was out
of the question to take Besa, who was
just five, and if she stayed behind,
Louise must stay, too, and as tho house
had TO be kept open for Fred, who was
in business down town, the three lived
there for the two months together.
And now the travellers had returned,
and Louise was on the eve of departing
with her brother aud May Stillman for a
fortnight'sstay il The ACKNOWLEDGES. They
were to leave by the night boat that very
day, aud when May left to 20 home and
finish her owh packing, Louise turned
to and helped her mother with hers, FOR
the rest of the fsmily were going off at
three to Long Branch.
1t was busy time, but everything was
labor of love for Louise, for was not
every moment carrying her nearer to the
joys that lay before her up in the north
woods, where so many of her friends
were already gathered, eagerly expecting
herr Jt'SN
AT last the Long Branch party were
got off and Louise had gone up to her
room tp.1put on hertraveling dress. But
just as she took it from the hook the
front door bell rang.
''Who can that BET" she said to her.
self. 81 wonder ifmothor has forgotten
something and sent back for it."
She slipped out into the hall and
leaned over the ballustrade US Della an
Swered the summons
docs Mrs. Alley live here2"
1t was woman's voice that asked the
question, a high keyed voice that Louise
did not recognize. Then, on Delia's re-
plying that 1t was Mrs. Alleys home, but
that the lady herself was away, the Wis
itor went on: &
Eyes, | know, but Miss Louise is in,
isn't she2 She is the one want to
see." 49,
Louise, hearing this, gearly lost her
| bnlnnCp and 1uapt bao1 Er,+ <,,,a. ~, Ill
lister. A strange woman inqniring for
her; and at such timel q;
She stepped hurriedly back into her
room and glanced at the clock on the
mantel. 1t was ten minutes to fur.
May was to call for her with the carriage
at five. She must contrive in sptne way
to get through with her callcrwithin the
next ten minutes. There were so many
"last things" to be done. @
But. now Della appeared with the mes
sage:
"Please, miss" she said, "there's an
old lady down stairs who wants TO see
you. She didn't send up her name be-
cause she says you expected her. "
Expected herr" Louise repeated the
words mechanically. "Why, i don'tlcx-
pect anybody but Miss May. You're
sure, Della, it is not she, up to some Of
her tricks?"
sob no, miss" responded the girl.
"She's sure enough old person, and she
seems kind o feeble. Her bag vas
pretty heavy for the like O. her to be
carryin'."
|. , sHer bagl" gaspqd Louise. SIS she
"No, miss, l think not. She's been
travelin' in from the country, 1 take it,
an looks clean beat OUT
swell, will go down at once and sec
what she wants. The expressman has
come for the trunk, has he Delia?Y
T. Eyes, miss
| Louise paused for ain instant with hei
hand on the door, racking her brain to
try and gain some glimmering as to the
identity of the person awaiting her in
l the parlor, some person who had said
that she was expected.
Il 'llt's some one who knows the rest OF
the family are away too" she unused.
a but this fact did not enlighten her in the
4 least, and finally she went. down, still
Il mystified. \,
i ~ or was she any wiser when she en-.
Slstered the drawing room and beheld q
II Little old lady seated on the sofa. Il Tho
COP ott her head could snrely Soma M
8 at q hs;> lopise's shoulder, taee