The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-12

- wss- s mSw ~ ihr fh hn,n
pine trees Of the northern woods with
ing themselves about like giants in
ertremis, and the Maryvillc stage had
just come in with two passengers.
Ladies, both of them: one. appar-
entity thirty years old. the other.
scarcely seventeen: and as they sat
there warming themselves by the ho-
tel Grc, the landlord touched his wifc's
shoulder, and whispered to her: Eur
rincrs,"
For there was something in the cut
of thcir curious fur-lined drapcrics. the
shape of their neat Grape hats, the
very way iii which they unconsciously
carried themselves, which was rs for
eiGu as the -UdrscN0ise itself. although
there was no accent in their voices as
they questioned whether any convey
ancc from Barnet Till had been sent to
meet them. And the landlord was
right: for Genevicvc and Gcncvra Bal
lace were the daughters of American
parentage born in sunny France.
Orphaned and alone, they were COM
ing TO America to claim the protection
of 4 relative of their mother. cousin
Fred as they had been taught to call
him.
DO YOU suppose he will be good to
u3?" Gcnevra, the dimpled seventeen
ycar-oldcr, asked, us she sat with her
check against Gencvicvc's shoulder.
II hope SO, darling" said the elder
mo one but brute could be unlsind
to you."
For little goldcn-haired. rose Tipped
Gcncvra was one Of those human sun
beams who take every heart by storm,
and in her deep mourning she looked
even swccter and more attractive than
her ordinary wont. And darle-cyed
Gcpcvicve, thirteen years older than
her sister, had long ago unselfishly pat
aside her own personality and idcnti
fed herself entirely with the household
pet and beauty.
II wonder if he is Il cross old crab"
rondercd Gencvra, as she drank tho
tea brought to her by the landlady. and
basllcd in the welcome warmth of the
blazing logs, ''or Il whimsical old
bachelor, full of cnpriccS. Oh, Gene
We've. Don you dread to meet hn?"
Gcnevicvc smiled.
Little one" said She, don't fret
Whatever happens, we shall he togcth-
or. and"
Tut, just then, the landlord came
busting in.
The double sleigh from Barnet Hill,
ladies'" he said rubbing his hands.
And Mr.. Barnet himself has come"
Close on the landlords words came
Mr.. Sarnct, of Barnet Hill. tall.
handsome man of about thirty, with
hriEht-brown hair clustering over !,
noble forehead. keen, black eyes and
features clear and perfect as those Of
thu Apollo Bclvitlcre.
Are these my cousins?" he said,
pleasantly. You are welcome TO
Barnet, Gcncvicvc and Gcncvra.'
InstinctivclY, little Gcncvra put her
hand to her dishcvclcd curls. Had She
expected 20 see anyone but wrinlklcd,
old scXagenarian, she would have taken
more pains with her toilet. But Gene
We've rose and smilingly PIT her hand
into the cXte ended palm of her cousin.
1t WAS Il long, snowy drive to Barnet
Hill, but Gencvra declared. joyously.
that it was worth it all, when they
were ushercd into the great, old-fash-
Toned drawing-room with its blazing
cannel-coal fires, its ycllow-satin cur
tains and the moss-soft carpet on which
the football made no sound.
do you know" said Cousin Fred,
laughing, that l was expecting to
sec two little schoolgirls in Short
froclis and thick boots?"
And do you know" rctorted Gen
ezra. that our minds were fully pre-
pared to behold rheumatic old gen.
tlcman with crutch?'
And i'll fifteen minutes they were on
the footing of old friends
But they had scarcely lived six
months at Barnet Hill before tho incv.
table little cloud like mans hand"
arose on their atmosphere.
"Gcncvicve," said Mr. Barnet, rather
gravcly, one day, 81 wish you would
warn dear little Gypsy against that
Capt Allairc. Hes "A pleasant, anus.
ing fellow, know; but he's scarcely
the person should select for any girl,
husband"
Yes, Cousin Fred. will speak &c
her SAID Gcncvicvc, signing softly, rs
sue wondered What spell Gcncvra pos
scsscd to win all heart, to herself, from
stately Cousin Fred to the handsome
dashiAG Young captain of artillery.
But have You reasoned with her on
the subject"
Half dozen times" said Barnct
"Hnt She only laughs at me-"
Gcncvicvc was silent. She wondered
If popular rumor was correct, an(
Frederic barnet really did love LITTLE
Geneva SO hopelcssly, So dearly
Gcncvra came home late that even
ing in the rosy sunset with scarlc
Wild flowers in her hair
81 have been to the village" sin
said, with Capt. Allairc"
"Oh. Gencvra!" pleaded the elder sis
ter. when Fred thinl<s-"