Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-04-26

concluded that If Maggie was house
keeper her dinner certainly I'D her
credit.
A week passed away, and Paul found
himself grooming in spirit over the
Misses Clements. He had wandered IN
search of the picturesque with Nora,
had sacrificed gloves and boots IN the
pursuit of wonderful beughs and mae
cessible flowers He had listened to
Georgina till his ears fairly ached. and
he was divided in his own mind as to
whether the performer or the listener
deserved the most pity. He had id
mired Cordelia in every variety of cos
tune. in every effective attitude; had
seen her eyes raised, and the long
lashes of the dropping lids; and mar
veled at the whiteness of her hands. at
the profusion of her curling hair; had
considered her beauty, a WEAKNESS,
and burden of spirit
But he could find bat little time to
speak to Maggie. He saw the evidences
of her industry and taste ih every de-
tail of housekeeping; knew whose skin
directed the servants, whose fingers
filed the flower vases, whose eyes
were everywhere. But the very per-
lection of all these arrangements kept
the little woman too busy for many
idle moments, and in the evenings the
older sisters were all-engrossing.
Two months had passed and instead
of June roses early fall fruits and flow
ers were abundant at Mossvale when
Paul Goddard passed again through
the village and called at DIR. Clements
office
81 am so sorry, " said Howard, as he
cordially Shook his friend by the hand
IAN the girls are away. Uncle James
invited them 10 pass a mouth at the
White mountains and they deserted
me-
Then You are alone?'
'oh, not entirely. Maggie stays to
keep house for me
"oh. Miss Maggie is here. Shall in
trude if stay a day or two, Howard?"
.Intrude. Paul Far from it ! ain
not busy, and Maggie was telling me
to-day that time actually hangs heavy
mon her hands. You know She YVES
always running for the others So now
the little damsel has time to enjoy her
self. and we have had some lovely rides
and drives Maggie does ride beauti-
fully and her horse is very fond Of her.
1t was true that Maggie was finding
many leisure hours while her sisters
were away, and Paul found thatthe re
| firing, modest girl was one OF the pleas
ATTEST companions IL had ever been his
good fortune TO meet
Il was an amusement the young physi-
clan enjoyed to draw out the accom-.
plishments that had been overshadowcd
by her sisters loudly proclaimed talents
and attractions. lie found that Mag
gle could sing, with sweet blrd-like
voice, though she never attempted the
difficult songs in which Georgina was
supposed to excel. She could play sim
pie pieces with feeling and expression.
and her fingers would fairly dance over
| the keys in livelier music, that required
no wonderful talent or elaborate exc
cution.
And it was wonderful how pretty the
child-lilse face became in Paul Cod
dard's eyes. There was charm in the
constant cheerfulness that kept the
ROSY mouth ever smiling and sweet;
there was beauty of expression IN
the brown eyes that mere form and
color can never give; there was an at
traction always IN the exquisite neat
ness of dress that was never stiff and
prim, though so carefully arranged.
Howard Clements, who loved mis-
friend, and had hoped to secure him as
brother during his former visit,
opened his eyes wide in amazement
as the DAYS wore away and Paul lin
eered in Mossvale. During his first
visit Howard had hoped TO see him
Weld to the destinations of the elder
Misses Clements. and no maneuverlng
mother ever took more pains than this
brother to display the talents and beau
ties of his sisters. That anyone would
look twice at Maggie when in the com
panv of the Others had never occurre,
: to Howard.
But in the light of Pauls evident adj
miration the brother began to contem
, plate with different emotions the pos
: sibilitv OF losing his little sister. lie
! had borne with perfect composure th'
r prospect Of parting with the others I
seemed no great hardship, even wher
: the separation involved the disappear
/ ance of Nora's masterpieces ans
, Georgina's music rack. But to ios'
S Maggie was quite another matter.
1 Who" Howard asked himself, il
j dismay-"who would superintend th,
e servants and keep the house in order
Who would wait with cheerful smile
a upon him when the duties of his pro
4 fession obliged him to ask for meals a
: all sorts of irregular hours?"
$ Visions of Nora in paint-bedaube,
q dresses, Georgina with frowsy hal
: and Cordelia in inert beauty presiding
] over the household hDSd Howard
2 brain; and, while he lanrented, he ad
> mitted that "Paul's head was level il
his apparent choice.
: Maggie could scarcely believe sh
heard Alright when FRul Goddar
pleaded for the gift Of her love an
IA H.. - . es.va =