The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-05-19

| would appear to considerable disad.
vantage in her wetand bedraggled con-
dition.
Minnie's dresses were not numerous.
When she asked her cousin II she in
tended to wear her white or her gray,
Efiie had mentioned the only two
gowns the girl had to wear. The white
one had been washed goodness knew
how many times
IL shall wear my white one, and some
| flowers with it," Minnie said, turning
to go.
"Oh. Minnie, you might come and
help me to choose dress for myself, "
called Efiie, as her cousin was leaving.
Certainly, Effie, with pleasure"
And she wheeled about, and together
the girls began to inspect the ward
| robe.
why, Effie," said Minnie, "you have
heaps. Here Is your fawn lace one.
How will that do?"
Effie turned up her nose even higher
than it was--a feat one would have sup
posed to be almost impossible without
turning it over her head. altogether, as
she replied:
mo; 1 never shall. What, wear one
have worn at dozen garden parties
this summer! Not if know it."
"Oh, Etfie. Why you only wore it at
the Browns fete and at the bazar!"
well, everybody has seen it, haven't
thcy""
Nonsense. 1t looks beautiful, too. "
~ shan't wear it, anyhow"
"Then there is this pale green"
THAT won't do, either"
The inspection went on for some
time, and finally sweet-looking pink
muslin was decided upon. Effie thought
that surely, in this dress. she would be
able to eep Charles attention all the
afternoon.
Two clock arrived and the picnic
party were all present at the rcndez.
vous, with the excep tion of Minnie.
The girls voted for going straight
away, but the gentlemen were of an
other opinion and refused to proceed
without her. This settled matters and
presently Minnie came hurrying up
wearing her old white dress, and q
large straw hat. trimmed with white
ribbon and natural pink roses, and
y
belt. Flushed as she was with her
hurried walk she looked the very pic
ture of health and beauty. Jealous
eyes, even, could not refuse her the
palm.
Etlie had, however, by this time Sc
cured the attendance of Charlie EN-
mot, and did not notice the appearance
of Minnie at all. She was quite con-
tented with her own escort, and even
the latter's added charms were power
less to make her jealous so long as his
attention was fixed upon her.
Charlie was splendid specimen of
an Englishman He was not what
anybody would exactly call handsome
though he could not be called plain.
He stood five feet nine inches in height,
and had a distinguished appearance
which could not fail to attract and
captivate. Moreover, he was the re-
puted possessor of fortune in itself
sufficient to to place him above the vice
of envy. Consequently he was sa-
tiated with the tlattery of anxious
mothers and avaricious maidens. Min
nie he had seen some time before, and
he had been a little piqued by her
evident insensibility to his advantages
1t was new experience to him, and
one calculated to increase, if she had
To-day he had determined that, come
what might, he would speak to her and
obtain an answer to an all-important
question.
On arrival at NNinsford Towers the
party alighted, and luncheon was
served on the lawn in front of the ruin.
After lunch boating was proposed, and
Etfie took care that Charlie should be
her escort, leaving Minnie to one of the
ineligibles. BY this means she thought
to secure her own ends. But woman
proposes and man disposes.
The whole of those present then
moved off to the boats except pretty
Nellie Lansdowne and Frank Gregory,
who had long been known to be numer.
Gus fathoms deep in love with each 9th.
cr. They dropped out of the line very
quickly and retired to quiet spot in
the wood. How they spent their time
it boots not to inquire.
The afternoon was warm and sultry
and the coolest place seemed to be or
the water. That once reached the boat
was rapidly filed. Effie had to be
helped into it by Charlie or she would
never have dared to go to the lake a,
all" she said. Minnie, on the othe,
hand, helped herself, and was seated ir
the boat before anyone had the chanc,
to come to her aid.
The oars were got out and a shady
part was reached, and there, to tn,
ladies' delight, We're some water lilies
To please them the gentlemen were al
on the alert to obtain them. Efiie, by
crafty maneuver, gained possession por
only OF those she had pluclsed for her
self but of those which Charlie hat
got for Minnie, whilst she was onl,
able to get a solitary one. Charlie
would have plucked some more bu
there were none in sight. Minnie
though sorely disappointed. refused t.
show that she cared, and laughingl,
declared that she did not want an,
more than she had.
Etiie held to hers in her usual selfisl
fashion and declined to part with sin
gle flower
The boat floated upon the surface o
the lake for some time without the al,
of the oars, when they came to anothe
cluster of lilies. Minnie saw then
first, the others being too busy talkin,
| or i6lv lyinr down in tho hoot 4.