The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-06-24
YFREAIN'S MISTAKE.
Tho Ritter Lesson Learned by q
Naughty Woman

Naughty Woman
March in the mountains, Ercshcts
roaring down the ravincs; great thick
cts Of pines tossing their green crests
70 and fro in the rush of the tcmpeStu-
Gus wind; snow shining OF on the pla-
tcau-, and pink clusters of trailing
arbutuS breaking into bloom in south
crn nool1S ana sheltered places where
last winters dead leaves had not vet
drifted away. And Lucy Nrrvain,
standing in her ruSset walking dress on
the porch of the little mountain inn,
wondered if the famous Bcrnesc Alps
were prandcr than these same CatSlliIl
heights.
Lucy Ncrvain was small and slight
and brown skinned, but she had large.
wistful eyes Of 50 dark Il hazel that
they seemed to melt into black around
the iris, and there were quick roses
ready 10 deepen in her checks if any
one spoke to her. She was pretty. in
her way, like wild flower, or Il little
brOwn-winrcd bird; and she looked
around with a troubled air, as the
sound OF an excited feminine voice
fioatcd ont from the one unpretcntious
little best parlor' OF the inn.
It's utrg-cous,'' said Miss Clara
Ncrvain.
Il m very sorry, ma am said Mr.
Mkt. who kept the house.
"Uncndurable." declared Miss Yer
vain.
1t does happen sometimes. ma'am.
whom the streams is high at the spring
OF the year" the landlord pleaded.
You see there amt no bridge can
stand the frcshct. if
And we have got to stay here in this
horrid hole OF n place until your tum-
ble-down bridge Is mendcd?"
Il don't see any other way for you,
ma'am," said Mr.. Mkt, meelIly.
Its the most provoking thing ever
knew in my life" said Miss Ncrvain.
She stal<ed about the room like Il sec
ond Lady Macbeth as she spoke; for
Clara was as unlike her blushing.
shrinking little sister aS the tall poppy
il to the humble cOrn-ilowcr. She was
handsome and stately. and wore long
trains to her dresses and bangles on her
wrists, and used perfume on her hand
llcrchiefs and did" her hair after the
latest fashion plates.
1T amt my fault, ma'am," said the
landlord driven to the very confines of
despair. II can't stop the frcshet, nor
yet l can't build a now bridge"
Clara dear, don't allow yourself TO
be so annoyed, =" soothcd Lucy. coming
like noisclcss little gray shadow into
the room. 1--WE shall only be detained
a day after all, and am sure it is very
pleasant here"
Il am not accustomed To delays, said
Miss Nervain, loftily.
II know, dear, but"
"Aud if am compelled 10 remain in
such a place as this" added Clara,
glancing supcrciliously around her, Il
must really insist upon privacy"
"Eh?" said Mr.. Mkt
THAT old person in the snuff-colored
coat" said Miss Ncrvaiu. with a royal
motion OF her head toward an old gen
tlcman in n wig and spcctaelcs who
was reading the paper by distant
window. Il dare say ne viii do very
well in your kitchen or barrOom, and 1
prefer this apartment To myself"
"Oh, Clara. pleaded Lucy, crimson
ing to the very roots OF her hair.
The landlord looked puzzled, but the
old man himself folded his newspaper.
returned his Spcctaclcs to their case
and rose slowly TO his feet.
Certainly. miss" said he; certain
~ II III AilLA AA'tAlA-- II 20 A'f lilt
kitchen. There's always room for me
there. Eh, Mixit?"
And ne trudgcd with alacrity out of
the room, followed by mine host.
I'm afraid you've hurt his feelings,
Clara" said Lucy, piteously.
''Who cares for his feclings?" said
Miss Vcrvain, shifting at her scent bot
ties. Mine are much more To- the pur-
4 I
with every country farmer ia the
Catskills."
CLARA, dear!''
'.Wcll?"
we are only a bookkeeper's daugh-
tcrs ourselves"
''As if that signified," said Miss
Vervain, scornfulIy. 1--WE are going to
our ariStocratic relations, aren't wc?''
"But perhaps they won't care to
keep MS"
That is neither here nor there" said
Miss Ncrvain. But you never had any
proper pride, Lucy"
Little Lucy Vervain was still ponder
ING with a puzzled brow over the dis
tinction between proper pride and pride
that was net proper when the landlords
wife. a buxom dame in madder-rcd cali
co and frillcd white apron, came to
summon the guests To dinner
We've only roast fowl, with bread
sauce and a little cranberry jelly" said
Mrs. Mkt; but it amt often as folks
stop here over a meal, and hope, la
dies, as you'll kindly pardon any short
comings."
But Miss Nervain stopped short on
the very threshold of the dining-room.
Il should prefer table to myself" T"
said she, haughtily.
"Ma'am.' said Mrs Mkt. ~