Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-08-05

ment.
Mrs. Wylie was the rector's wife, a
bustllng, genial matron, of forty or so,
and was hugging and kissing Mabel
Markham with empressement.
"How very fortunate that l should
have met you here, my dear, and how
we'll you look! Ah, teaching agrees
with you, see And how is your sick
friend, Miss Claremout"
"She is better, Mrs. Wylie.
"Is shel I'm sure I'm delighted to
h EAR it, for"
Here the chirping little lady broke off
abruptly, for she had just caught sight
of Rosa, still glancing over the worn
hacks of the well-read volumes, and
yawning behind her French kid-gloved
hands.
She ran up to her at once.
"Rosa Vernon, you here tool Why,
YOU are the very person | wanted to see!
Come and let me introduce you to my
friend, Miss Markham3"
She laid her hand lightly on Rosa's
arm as she spoke, but Miss Vernon drew
back, little haughtily.
Excuse me, Mrs. Wylie, but have
no anxiety to become acquainted with a
school teacher"
Mrs. Wylie looked bewildsred.
"But, my dear, you don't understand
that
~ do understand all that l care to,
Mrs. Wylie-you will please excuse me
from the introduction.
AS she drew coldly back she saw with
internal satisfaction that Miss Markham
from hel position at the counter beyond
had doubtless heard the whole couver
sation. For the crimson had overspread
the oval cheek turned toward them, aud
Mabel's head dropped an instant.
ooh, dearl" cried Mrs. Wylie, in evil
dent CONSERVATION, "I do hope she
hasn't heard us!'
ut is quite a matter of indifference to
me whether she has or not!' said Rosa;
"she is only school teacher"
Mrs. Wylie turned away, hurt aud
disappointed, and Rosa swept out of the
store.
'Mabel, dearest, you won't mind a
petulant child's ill-bred criticisml" she
pleaded, coming close to Miss Markham,
and possessing herself of one slender
little hand.
"No, Mrs. Wylie."
'>And you'll come home to tea with
me2"
But Mabel declinel--she had
pressing engagement, she sad. Whether
that engagement had anything to do
with Mr.. Boo Vernon, we don't pretend
to say, but certain it was that she
walked with him in the moonlight that
night, under the poplars in front of the
gray old Macpherson mansion, until the
village town-clock chimed eleven!
And the next morning Bob proclaimed
to the astOnished ears of the family
group, gathered around the breakfast
table, that he was engaged.
"Bobl Engagel And to whomi"
''To Miss Mabel Markham"
Rosa uttered a little breath!ess scream
cf dismay.
$50 Mabel Mlrkhan O5, Bob, you
reckless, imprudent fellow-jus. when
Major Talialerro's niece was coming to
reside in the place, and they say SIC is
lovelyl'
"She cannot be more lovely than my
Mabel, and do not choose to subwlt to
the imputatiou Of being fortunehuiter.
| am ab to earn my own living an1 my
wifes, too. You will call on my fiao:ec,
Rosa, won't your
~ will never speak to her,"
"Then you can let it alone, said Rob.
ert Vernon, flushing a little; "Only l
did not know you were such fool,
Rosa"
And so the matter rested for few
days.
ga party at the Taliaferros-vith
tents on the lawn aud a band Of pusic
from New York; Oh, how splendid"
calculated Miss Vernon, dancing about
the parIor floor with the note Of infita-
tion in her hand $50 the family nave
really arrived at the place and you got
me the invitation from Harry Leslie! So
kind of youl And will the majors
niece be therel"
eyes, she will be there"
"Have you seen herl"
"Yes, often"
sob, do so long to see herl must
send to the city for new white grena-
dine dress, aud wreath of pink gera
nlums-roses are commoni'
And Rosa sat down at once to write
the note to her dressmaker-
s'Of course you won't go, Bob" she
aa;d. Ioftily,