Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-08-28
THE FONTENOY FLATS,
Ii HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

"Weli," said Mrs. Dedfold, "wc'v,
got to move. That's very plain"
eyes," said Miriam, "wc'vc got tc
move. Nobody could stand that silk
factory that's being built opposite, with
ITS whizzing machinery and the livery
stable in the rear"
"Thc next question:" said Rosamond
sis where we are tc 90"
A dead silence followed this proclamo.
ton. The Dcdfold family eyed each
other, and nobody spoke until Mr.. bed.
fold, bald -headcd man, with weak ewes
and Il fringe of sandy whiskers ON cacb
side of his face, broke the portcn,ous
silence.
For my part said he, 81 should
like little place in the country, where
we could grow strawberries and toma-
toes and see the green grass.
PA demonstrated Rosamond. who
was fine, tall young woman, with q
good deal Of color and sparkling black
eyes.
Quite out of the question:" said Mrs.
Dcdfold, tossing her aquilinc nose.
II don't see that, reasoned Mr.. Ded
fold. doctor Fortnum has offered me
the refusal of that pretty Gothic cottage
OF hls-not more than half an hour out
ON the New Jersey road-with four
acres Of ground"
doctor Fortnum, indeed :" said Mrs.
Dcdioid. ~ wish he'd mind his own
business. Because he chooses TO burrow
Ill the country himself, is that any req
son he should compel other people to do
so!'
''There's quite pleasant little socie-
ty there, " suggested Phcbe, the young
est of all the Dedfolds, who had an an.
ple-blossom face, with inquiring blue
eyes and the palest shade of yellow hair.
Society" echoed Mrs. bedford
tout on the New Jersey road Frogs
and mud-turtles and owls-that's the
sort of society, imagine"
81 haven't seen anything that liked
better than that fat on Fontcnoy
street" said Miriam.
Too high, said Mr.. bedford.
Only eighteen hundred dollars q
year, pleaded his wife. And such To-
cality"'
~ over Il confectioncr's shop!"
That's no objection" insisted Mrs.
bedford. 1.-The finest flats in the city
and all the tirst-class hotels, you know
arc over stores. And D'Artarnau's is
All exceedingly select place. The Stat
lords and Ballingers live in the Fonte-
noy Flats, too"
MIR. bedford groaned.
II never did fancy living in fiat. >
said he. packed in with everybody
else, like sardines in boxl"
II think it would be perfectly dc.
lightful," said Miriam, ecstatically.
ut would certainly minimize III,
trouble of housekeeping" observed hcr
mother.
And it would be so stylish" added
Rosamond, clapping her plump, white
hands
And you know, Paul." added Mrs
bedford, "you always leave these do.
mestic affairs to me-"
The head of the house rose. with ,
shrug of his shoulders.
"Well, have it your own wav," sale
he. "Where are my gloves2 Phcbe
did leave my cane down stars2 Why
child, what are you crying fora"
~ don't know" faltcred the yellow
haired lassie. her head dropping for al
Instant on her fathers shoulder, as the,
stood together in the dimly- lighted hall
~ think it's because we've got to move
And l do so hate the idea of flat"
$50 do J." chuckled Mr.. Dedfold
"But cheer up, Phebe-bird! We can
always have our own way, and mothe
and the girls are determined, it seems.
While Phebe and her father were ex
changing condolences down stairs. Mrs
Dedfold and her two elder daughters. i,
the room above, had resolved thcmselye
into committee os the whole on tn
question of ways and means.
we must have new carpets through
out, said the sage matron. Sand
don't see how We can get along withou
lamp"
What will papa says" brcathcd Mir
lam.
swell, I don't care" flashed out RIOS
amond. "Now that we've really 90
into coed society"
cor, in Short" saucily interrupted
Miriam, ''now that you are going to b
the Countess Scagliosa-"
Don't, Mirry" cried Rosamond
blushins and Laughing. "What nonsens
you are talking!'
well, l don't care; he is very hand
some" declared Miriam. "And thu