The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-27

you don't have some of 'em for your
dinner. and u dish OF ten, too, I'll come
In bimeby and give your Lyddy a piece
of my mind Good-by!"
Off she trudged, burning with u sense
OF the old lndys wrongs, and trying to
peep into the reconstructed best parlor
as she went through the entry.
Lydia sat quietly after tho voices had
died away, no longer sleepy, but half
amused, half sad. She had been thor
oughly discontinued at the homely old
farmhouse after her very modern home
at school. 1t really seemed to her that
She had shown nobleness of soul in
choking down the despair in her heart,
and trying to make the best of things.
The parlor especially she looked upon
quite as an artistic triumph But no
amount of talking and scolding could
put the Marcy household on q stylish
footing. Plain and old-fashioned it
was, and so would remain in spite of
all her efforts
Grandma is so obstinate!" lydia had
groaned in her own room.
The little talk she had now overheard
put new aspect upon it all. She saw
as If veil had fallen from her eyes
how her grandmother had been sorely
bewildered by the new ideas, aud how.
the sweet old soul had struggled silent
,ly to come into harmony with a strange
order of things, with an unselfshness
that made Lydias trials seem trifling.
Then she flew to the best parlor, and
in very little While had brought back
its old prim order. She pushed the
hair cloth chairs back stifiiy against
the wall, closed the blinds at the win
dows, and took away every aesthetic
touch she had given
Last, but not least, out Of the closet
under the stairs she dragged the de-
spised portrait of her ancestor in the
gaudy militia uniform. Laughing
quietly ut its grotesqucness, she hung
this work of art up on its old nail, where
it was easily the most prominent thing
in the room.
When all was done, gloomier and
more forbidding apartment had never
been seen, but, just as it was, grandma
loved it
When the old lady awoke, the sun
was streaming in across the sitting
room floor, and the bell was ringing for
dinner. Lydia appeared in the door
way with a bright smile, prettier than
ever.
Come, grandma" she called, din
ner is ready, and Mrs. Seavey has just
sent in little Katie with some delicious
cakes for you"
A great pleasure fitted over grand
mas face as she stepped eagerly toward
the dining-room, leaning on her cane.
81 do believe they're rye and Iniun,"
she exclaimed. as delightedly as child.
helping herself from the well-illed
plate.
II thought perhaps you might like
cup of tea, too" added Lydia, getting
up from her place TO put the cup down
by her grandmother, and trying not TO
see the scorn of the hired girl from the,
city, who had great contempt for din
ner at noon and tea at dinner.
Lydia laughed and chatted cheerfully
until the meal was ended. and Mrs.
Marcy breathed long sigh of salts
faction.
II declared" Mrs Marcy said, rising
from her seat at last, 81 don't know as
I've ever had anything taste so good to
me. Those cakes of Mis- Seavey's were
just beautiful. and do enjoy some hot
drink in the middle of tho day. 1t kind
o goes TO the spot"
Lydia drew her gently along until,
through the open door in the parlor,
her glance fell upon grandpa's picture
back in its old place on the wall.
"Why, Liddy!" she whispered, with a
start of surprise. why, Liddy!"
YES" answered Lydia. merrily. ~
suppose the parlor is better the way
you used to have it 1t goes better with
the rest of the house. So put all the
things back again as they were"
Grandma's eyes wandered lovingly
over the stiff and solemn room. A
mist came on her spectacles, and, rs she
took them off to wipe them, her thin
@:N 4 ANN, L>>N-,Ao