Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-01-15
THREE RIVALS.
by MARY KYLE DALLAS.

Laura Hunt stood on the front porck
of her aunt's residence looking across
the garden where the artemisias were in
bloom and late dahlias nodded their
heads upon their slender stalks, and
the seeds were browning on the morning
glory vines.
She made pretty picture in calico
OF crushed strawberry tint, bcltcd Mt tho
waist, and with white kerchicf pinned
turban fashion about her head to keep
her gold waving hair from the
dust.
She had been doing the Fridays
sweeping. rs became Il poor relation,
while the cousins, the Misses Cumfry.
were taking their last morning nap, with
Madame Cheathan's celebrated dream
of cowslips Oh their noses to repair the
ravagcs OF late hours, and gloves on their
hands ID whitcn them. To carry out
the Cinderella simie. these Misses Cum
fry ought to have been ugly spinsters
with very evil tempers, but really they
were very pretty girls, with neat features
and trim figures, twins who loved each
other and cared for nobody else, and
who had been humorcd into Il sort of
dual scllishness by their mother, while
Laura, their cousin, the child of her late
husbands sister, was early taught to
make herself useful and find some &C.
cupation for every hour of the day.
So Laura had already swept and
busted the parlor aud filled the flower
vases and tidied the cup. closet and
rubbed the dining-room windows, whil1S
the twins, side by side in their r;rctty,
white bed, were still fast asleep.
AS Laura leaned upon hcr broom and
contemplated tic lingering autumn flow.
ers, some one watched her from the road
"a young man, fashionnbly dressed, and
with his 1uill share Of good looks.
"If'that is the girl she is rather pref
ty, he said to himself. "That makes 1t
easier, and although Pm lucky fellow
| expected to find n dowdy or fright
Pretty cheeky business this, but Pm en-.
dowed with the natural qualities neccs
sary for the adventure.
And lie walked slowly up the road
opened the gaze, and lifted his hat grace
fully.
"Bcg pardon" he said. "NIrs. Cumfry
live lere2"
YES" answered Laura, CHANGING al
her big apron, and regretting the broom
and turban little. eyes, sir, and aunt
is in if you would like to see her."
81 should very much, indeed, thanks, ,
the young man replied, and Laura ush.
cred him into the pailor, where, while
he waited, there came to him, through q
door that had been unwittingly left ajar,
frasrmputS Of n ponvprcntinn.
Laura Hunt, why didn't you ask
| what he wanted2"
Laura Hunt. I'm all right" he SAID
to himself.
'Its Il book agent or Lightning rod
man, or somebody with silver polish, oil
course" continued the shrill voice.
"You might rs well have said no MS L.
"Oh, auntic, I'm sure he is nothing
OF the Sort said the softer voice of the
girl who had spoken to him. "They
always look so tired and anxious, poor
things! And he is $3.50 stylish"
"Good! I've made an impression, =
said the young man to himself, ms the
otcps OF woman came toward the door,
and middle-aged lady opened it and
entered the parlor.
"If it's anything to subscribe for
she began.
Then, seeing smile on his face, pauscc
suddenly.
"There are SO many of them" sh,
apologized.
The young man bowed and Offered
her his card; on it she read: "AIr
Maync Morton"
"Still you have the advantage of me,
she said.
81 am quite stranger, Mrs. Cumfry,
young Morton replied, "but 1 think
you knew my aunt, Miss Brunder, ono,
upon time. She boarded with som,
of your neighbors."
Mrs. Cnmfry smiled vaguely; she did
not remember the name; still, no doub
he was right.
al am taking my vacation rather late, )
he said, ''and this is such pleasant lit.
tic place, and my aunt told me that il
you would take me to board should b,
so comfortable"
'Is' cried Mrs. Cumfry. "Why,
haven't taken n boarder in five years
Then it was only old MIR. Palmer, the
real-estate agent. He gave no trouble
and wanted the comforts of home"
"Exactly what 1 want, and 1 vii
promise to give no trouble either" said
young Morton. 81 detest hotels;
can't endure the class of people one meets
at common boarding house. A refined
family, especially where the young adie:
were musical, would be my ideal"
This thought had occurred to him a:
he remarked the presence of an upright
piano, on which the twins were wont t.
play duets.
Mrs. Cumfry looked at him.
SHE is stylish, " she thought. 'Laura
was right, no doubt. He is very well
off, in good business, anyhow" Her
thoughts climbed the stairs and viewed
the sleeping twins in the innocence OF
their morning slumbers.
"What q nice match for Dora or
Cora" she said to herself. .Eligiblc
youn', men are scarce here. 1 think I'll
do It,"
81 have no need to keep boarders, so