The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-07-04
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and where.
This Is really comfortable place
and the inhabitants thereof are very
much like other folks, with one excep-
tion.
I'VE are twelve, all told; only three
men, one of whom is very much sought
after.
Zone is an invalid-is almost near
the end of life, think. The second,
though not nearly 50 i'll, is so cross
should think all his folks would be glad
when ne is gone over. Now, that sounds
hard, but why need people be 50 dissl-
greeable?
''Of the ladies Mrs. A. is wealthy
and wants every one to know it. She
thinks money is all.
''Mrs. BIS in reduced circumstances.
There seems TO be flavor of better
times about her She makes the best
spread what is left, though.
Miss k is "A lady of uncertain
age. If she would get good match on
her false hair she would look better.
She simpers and always wants gem
tleman around to kill the snakes and
bugs when we go picnicking.
"Mrs. F-is bony, angular and sus-
picious, always watching to see if some
boby isn't doing something injudicious.
Fan and | give her plenty opportunity,
for We always manage to act our worst
when her green eyes are watching Us.
Fan is a distant relative of Mrs.
c., another lady here. She is so fat
and asthmatic she can't go anywhere or
do anything except read and knit. She
is really good. like her and / like
Fan sometimes. She is bit free and
sentimental, but then she is only sew
entecn.
Miss l., school teacher, we do
not often see. She seems tired and
sleeps great deal. Should think she
would want to take regular Rip Van
Wrinkle nap. Ii must be hard work To
teach. | don't think teachers are half
appreciated.
''The exception Ispoke of is Cleval
Ashby. He is very peculiar young
man, twenty-eight years old perhaps.
One day he is sober and dignified as a
judge. Then he seems about forty.
Next day he frolics like a boy. Then
he seems eighteen. He is really nice,
but sometimes | feel quite afraid OF
him, and then again ! could say any
thing TO him.
Certainly he is reliable any one
would say that. He knows all the
pleasant places here, for he used to live
here when boy so we all rely upon
him rs a guide. Now, you needn't
think / am going TO fall in love with
him not u bit of il l wouldn't dare
besides he doesn't care very much for
ladies society, and he never would
think of silly little thing like me.
"Now you know all about us, and |
will keep you informed if you feel an
interest. Thine, NJ"
She folded this and then discovered
her envelopes were at the house. She
descended from her perch to return to
the house. As she came down the let
ter fell unnoticed by her side, and she
walked on leaving her missive behind
her.
Meanwhile, down beyond the "south
medder," Cleval Ashby, tired Of ang-
ling, stretched himself under an old
pine tree, and using his hat for desk,
scratched off the following epistle:
"BRooKsIDE FARM, Aug. 5.
"DEAR OLD Boy II deserve no end
of censure for my silence, but the fact
is have felt disinclined to write even
TO YOU. You will know there must be
special reason.
"You know promised to tell you if
anything special ever happened to me.
Well own up-confess the soft im-
parchment and all that. am fairly
caught and no mistake. There never
was another before and there never will
be again. ''She's all my fancy painted
her." etc. But she is unattainable as
the moon. Have been here five weeks
and shall stay while she stays.
''You may call me fool if you like,
but l can't go until she goes, and then
well, must make up my mind to
live without her.
''Does she know? Not except 10y
suspicion. Her aunt his hinted to me
of the brilliant match she expects to
make in the autumn, so I'm dumb, of
course.
''Now that have freed my mind to
you, L have one request to make. When
| see you don't speak of her To me. /
could not bear it. Cupid's arrow, of
which we have jcsted so much, has
struck me deeply. c. A"
He folded il compactly, placed it in
his pocket, intending to add the enve-
lOpe at the house. He started, taking
short cut across the orchard.
As he passed one of the trees he saw
Maey's letter lying ON the grass. There
was no address, and only the signature
M
As the pages slipped in his hand he
caught sight of his own name. Could
human nature Withstand the tempta-
ton to read? He read just the parts
concerning himself He sat down on
the grass to think.
shouldn't dare ~ he repeated.
"That means, of course, she is not at
liberty, even if she We're inclined.
"There is but one NJ among Us, and
80 il must be Macy. And to think she
Is sometimes afraid of me don't
wonder! / must be feroeiOusly cross
some days have to be stern i'm order
to keep myself well in hand. She's
'sillyr I'll find way to disposess her
of that idea To me she is the wisest
woman in the world. Well, she has
evidently lost this here and must car
ry il to her"
He placed il in his poeked and walk
ed on. Then thought occurred to
him
'.She will miss it and come here to
look for it. / will leave il and she need
not know have seen it,"
| H., rpfrace,l his stems took the letter