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

compel me to put it in that way" SAID
Miss Vervain.
"Indeed!" The old man lifted his
grizzled brows. Il may not be one of
your fashionable tops"
THAT is easily to be SEEM" con-
temptuously interpolated the young
lady.
But am clean and decent, added
the stranger. However, | dare say
Mrs. Mkt can accommodate me with
plate and knife and fork in another
room. if my presence is really obnox-
ious to these young women"
Young ladies, sir, if you please, +"
said Miss Vervain, with toss of her
head.
He smiled a shrewd, sagacious
smile.
LAS to that" said he, Opinions may
perhaps differ" and he followed Mrs.
Mkt into the kitchen.
Clara Vervain took her seat COM
placently at the table.
These people will begin after q
while to comprehend the difference
between a lady and a shop-girl," said
she. 1T is quite evident that they
not favored with many travellers"
Half an hour afterward, as the old
man in a snuff-colored suit was step
ping into plain little carriage. a soft
hand touched his sleeve, and turning
he found himself looking into Lucy
Vervain's troubled brown eyes.
well, my DEAR" said he, kin lily.
what is it?"
II only wanted to beg your par
don, SIR" faltered the little brunette.
Il am sure my sister did not mean to
hurt your feelings, and"
Il am sure, at all events, that you
did not" said the Old man, kindly.
and l dare say that your sister will
be wiser one of these days!"
And thus speaking, he nodded good
humoredly and drove away.
1t was nearly dark, however. before
the clumsy caryall which was to con-
vey the two New York ladies to their
destination arrived, and they entered
it.
"To Cliff Hail." said Miss Vervain,
haughtily, as she leaned back in the
seat and settled her skirts languidly
about her.
Cliff Halt" said Mr.. Mkt, staring
you don't never mean as you're
going to Cliff Hall?" echoed Mrs.
Mkt
Il think we have considerably as
tonished these good people," said Miss
Vervain, with a smile, as they ratified
away from the door.
Il only hope our Uncle Cliff will re-
ceive US kindly" sighed poor Lucy.
Cliff Hall was a substantial old man
sion, built of gray stone with a sue
cession of terraces falling down the
mountain side and exquisit groups of
statuary half-hidden in the forest trees,
and the lights were already beginning
to CLEAN Hospitality along its front as
they drove up. An old man-Servant
opened the outside door just far
enough to reveal the CHEEKY glow of a
wood fire and the deep tints of a GRIM
son Administer carpet within.
"Is my Uncle Cliff at hnme?" said
Miss Vervain, with an air anu a grace.
"Mr Cliff is-ay, men," answered
the servant, with strong Scotch &C.
cent.
Tell him his nieces from New York
are here-the Misses Vervain," said
Clara, as she swept into the ante
chamber.
AS she entered an old man dressed
in snuff-brown rose from before the
blazing logs.
My nieces from New York, ehP"
said Caleb Cliff. "They are welcome"
And To Miss Vervain's surOriSa and
dismay she found herself face to face
with the old man of the Catskill way
side inn.
"You are astonished?" said he,
slightly arching his hrows. $50 am l.
1t is not always best to Judge by ap-
pearances. Sit down. Sanders" to
the servant, "let dinner be served"
Miss Clara Vervain left Cliff Hall the
next morning, with all her bright an
ticipations shattered to the dust. But
little brown-faced Lucy staid to keep
house for her uncle.
"She's too genteel for us, isn't she?"
chuckled old Caleb Cliff, as the car
rage drove away which was to carry
Miss Clara Vervain to the New York
station.
Clara went back to her teaching,
and if the bitter tears of repentant
modification can wash out the past,
that day in Catskills would have been
erased long age.
"If,I had only known who he was"
said Miss Veryain.
Alas! this world is full of "ifs."-
n. ], Clipper.