Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-11-17
MISS VtRVAIN'S MISTAKE,

roaring down the ravlnes, great thick
cts Of pines tossing their green crests
to and fro in The rush OF the Jempestu-
Gus wind, snow shining OF on the pla-
teaus and pink clusters of trailing ar
butus breaking out into bloom in
southern hooks and sheltered places.
where last winters dead leaves had
not yet drifted away. And Lucy Yer
vain, standing in her russell walking
dress on the porch of the little noun
tain inn, wondered if the famous Ber-
nese Alps were grander than these
Catskill heights.
Lucy VerValn was small and slight
and br0wn-skinned, but she had large,
wistful eyes of SO dark a hazel that
they seemed to melt into the black
around the iris, and there were quick
roses ready to deepen in her cheeks if
any one spoke to her. She was pretty,
in her way, like a wild flower or a
little broWn-winged bird; and she
looked round with troubled air, as
the sound of an excited feminine voice
foated out from the one unpretentious
little "best parlor" Of the inn.
It's outrageous" said Miss Clara
Vervain.
I'm very sorry, ma'am," said Mr..
Mkt, who kept the house.
"Unendura ble!" declared Miss Yer
vain.
ut does happen sometimes, ma'am,
when the streams is high, at the spring
Of the year" the landlord pleaded.
You see, there amt no bridge can
stand the freshets, if"
And we have got to stay here in
this horrid hole of a place until your
tumble-dOwn bridge is mended?"
Il don't see any other way for you,
ma'am," said Mr.. Mkt, meekly.
Its the most provoking thing I
ever knew in my life," said Miss Yer
vain.
She stali1ed about the room like
second Lady Macbeth as she spoke.
For Clara was as unlike her blushing,
shrinking little sister as the tall poppy
is to the Humble cornfower. She was
handsome and stately, and wore long
trains to her dresses and bangles on
her wrists, and used perfume on her
handkerchiefs 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. Il can't stop the freshet,
nor yet | can't build new bridge"
CLARA, dear, don't allow yourself to
re so annoyed" soothed Lucy, coming
'ie a noiseless gray shadow into the
room. 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 Vcrv"in, loftily.
Il know, dear, but"
"And if | am compelled to remain in
such place as this" added Clara,
glancing superciliously around her, q
must really insist upon privacy"
"Eh?" said Mr.. Mkt.
THAT old person in the snuff-colored
coat" said Miss Veryain, with a royal
motion Of her head to an old gentle
man in wig and spectacles, who was
reading the paper at a distant win
dow. Il dare say he will do very we'll
in your kitchen or bar-room, and
prefer this apartment to mysCsf."
"Oh, Clara" pleaded Lucy, crimson
inc to the very roots Of her hair.
The landlord looked puzzled, but
the old man folded his newspaper, re-
turned his spectacles to their case and
rose slowly to his feet
Certainly, miss" said he; "certain-
ly. If I'm intruding, I'll go to the
Kitchen, There's always room for me
there. Eli, Mixit9"
And he trudged with alacritv out of
the room, followed by mine host.
"Tm afraid you've hurt his feelings,
Clara said TucV DiteOuSlv
"Who cares for his feelings?" said
Miss Vervain. shifting at her scent bot
ties. mine are much more to the
purpose. And I don't choose to asso-
ciate with every country farmer in the
Catskills."
CLARA, dear"
"Well?"
ave are only book-keeper's daugh-
ters ourselves"
Gas if that signifed." said Miss
Vervain, scornfulIy. eve are going
to our aristocratic relations, aren't
we?"
"But perhaps they won't care to keep
us?"
THAT is neither here nor there" said
Miss Vervain. But you never had
any proper pride, Lucy"
Little Lucy Vervain was still pond
ering, with puzzled brow, over the dis
tinction between proper pride and
pride that was not proper, when the
landlords wife, a buxom dame in
madder-red calico and frilled white
apron, came to summon the guests to
dinner.
"We've only a roast fowl with bread
sauce and little cranberry jelly" said
Mrs. Mkt, "but it amt often as folks
stops here over neal, and hope, la
dies. as you'll kindly pardon any short
comings."
But Miss Vervain stopped short on
the very threshold of the dining-room.
Il should prefer table TO myseH,
said she, haughtily.
"Ma'am!" said Mkt.
"Dear Clara" pleaded Lucy in an
agony of distress, as she saw the red
flush rise to the forehead of the old
man in snuf-colored suit, who sat at
the head of the Widespread board.
Il prefer dining with my sister on
w." insisted Miss Veryain, delighted
with an opportunity of asserting her
exclusiveness. Really, [ cannot i'm
agine how people can obtrude them
selves in this sort of way"
The old man rose quietly.
"Do l understand, young woman,"