Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-08-22
A LESSON FOR TWO.

ing railway station md hastened up the
walk to greet the sweet faced. middle
aged woman who sat on the piazza busy
with embroidery 81 ks.
Where is Nam" he eagerly asked,
looking behind the vines, through the
wide hall, then to the summer house, but
was not rewarded by the vision his eyes
sought.
"She went down the lane an hour ago
you know we hardly expected you until
the evening train. | fancy you will find
her in the tree" and Mrs. Richards
smiled little.
A shade of annoyance swept over the
young mans face, and he started swiftly
down the path to the lane that led to the
fields beyond. He was soon in sight of
the old elm. and there in its large crotch,
with her back to him, sat maiden as
fair as Dryad. Her book lay in her lap,
her hands clasped idly upon it ; her cheek
rested against the brown Lark of the tree
her golden hair was lightly blown about
by the soft wind. Harold could see the
delicate rose tint of her cheek, the oval
of her face.
My darling!" he murmured to HIM
self, then spoke aloud:
"Nannie!"
She started from her reverie and with
a graceful movement stepped to the stone
wall, then sprang into his outstretched
arms.
"Oh, Hall" she cried, burying her face
in his neck, then lifting her lips to his.
Dear, dear boy! was not expecting
you until this evening, so l came out here
to dream away the afternoon. She
looked little apologetically at the tree,
knowing that Harry did not quity ap-
prove of some of her undignifed habits
that she had not put by with childish
years.
He glanced down smilingly upon her,
feeling that he could forgive so beautiful
a creature anything, yet he did wish that
his bethrothed wife would not climb
trees. OF course it was all right in Brook
vile, yet if his sisters should happen to
visit there he was a little afraid that
Nannie's ways would seem little outre
to people so fastdious. He almost wished
that Mamie did not love the country as
! she did, but he had no doubt that once
in town she would be as fond of society
as all girls were-yet she was littl1 )
queer about some things.
Shall you miss your freedom, Nam
ME, he asked, when l take YOU" but
she smothered his question with kiss.
"1ou know l shall be happy with you
anywhere; then we are to come back to
Brookville each summer.
Yes; but Mrs. Hartranft can hardly
run about and climb trees as Miss Richards
does.
"Oh, | shall not want to then!" she de-
cIared, smiling brightly into his eyes.
"Now confess, she continued, "that you
have enjoyed Brookville-"
"Of course l have" he interrupted: ::
"but-"
More than Newport?" she persisted.
"Yes, but"
isn't Brookville paradise for lovers q"
she saucily questioned. "How could
have begun to see you at Newport, or
any gay place, as l have here?"
Harold began to think the freedom of
that simple spot had been delicious; away
from the crowds and gossip, away from
chaperones and match making mammas :;
but her conversation had led directly to
the subject uppermost in his mind. and
he must not let the opportunity pass.
He started, with his arm yet about her
waist, toward the summer house.
LET us sit here and talk little-first,
here is loves betrothal ring, and he took
red leather case from his pocket and
opened it.
"Oh!" she cried, chow beautiful how
beautiful; I do love diamonds, they
sparkle so brightly"
"Not so beautiful as your eyes, and he
kissed her tenderly and put the ring on
her finger.
Now our engagement will be an
nounced?" she asked.
Yes; and what I want to tell you is
this: My sister Lena, Mrs. Mark Herbert,
mas house at Newport, and she wishes
me to invite you there for August " "Oh,
no." cried Mamie, but suddenly stopped
as she saw Harry frown little.
"Why?" he asked abruptly.
"Oh, nothing; that is; 1 can go next
year with you; this will be my last sum-
mer at home, at Brookville, and l love
the place, you know" she said a little
tremulously.
Mamie, " said Harry, looking her full
in the face, Il can't be with you this
summer; you know must go to Eng
land on business for my father; but l
shall be home in September, just little
before the time they leave for Lenox;
then | can take you home and spend my
vacation with you.
Mamie sat quietly, with downcast
eyes
MY sister is a thoroughbred society
woman; she is the very one for you to be
with a season before you are married. "
Nannie's lashes dropped still more and
the color burned brightly in her cheeks.
Harry went on bravely, now that he
was fairly launched: "You know it will
be better for you to have some expert
ence in entertaining in society before
you are suddenly made to assume the
duties of a hostess" 1t began to be
little hard for him to make himself quite
clear.
But the bother with the dressmakers,"
walled Mamie. Il like to be comfort
ably clothed in hot weather"
"Oh, my sister will arrange every
thing" he said cheerfully. you will
like Paris gowns as well as any girl, my
pretty little one" he drew her to him
and kissed her fondly. 1t was really such
relief to have the matter practically
settled and as dear as Mamie was to
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