Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-08-03
MIGNONNETTE'S
ROMANCE.

....ROMANCE.
Spring time, with the blue glim-
mer Of violets on every sun-leaning
meadow spring time, with the Grim
son OF blossoming naples lightning up
the woods and the sweet breath of
growing green things and little lame
Mignonnette sat on the doorstep,
where the level sunshine touched her
bright hair with caressing fingers, and
watched the shadows creep over the
door-yari and the white petals of the
plum blossoms showered down like Il
perfumed rain around her feet.
She was very small and slight. with
great gray eyes and red-brown hair
and transparent skin. Not pretty
nobody ever thought of calling Mign-
onnette pretty-but with one of those
sweet, wisttul faces, with the inner
meaning somehow nesting back from
the surface, which irresistibly tempted
one to look second time. And rs
she at there the gray kitten climbed
into her lap, and the spring chickens
with yellow velvet jackets and eyes
like black glass beads huttered over
feet, and the motherly old hen, who
distrusted every other created thing,
clucked close to the very folds OF her
dress.
''What a beautiful world this is, !"
Mignonnette thought, land how kind
people are to me +! | can't remember
the far-away time when Richard found
me, clinging to my dear mothers
breast, in the drifts OF frozen snow, but
l know they took me in and cared for
me, and l have been happy"
And Mignonnette leaned her chin
on both her hands and looked dreamily
over the sunny fields to where tiny
church spire rose out of the woods,
pointing up to heaven.
Sylvia Martins clear voice broke
through the thread Of thoughts. She
had come out of the house, and stood
leaning against the door, bright,
hazel eyed brunette, tall and vigorous
as young tree.
$50 they are refurnishing the parlor,
Mignonnette And Mr.. Richard is
having new carriage, and his aunt
is making up new linen. What does
it all mean?"
Mignonnette looked up shyly. She
thought she must be very wicked for
disllking Sylvia Martin, but she could
not help it. Sylvia spoke with such a
loud voice. and she had such a positive
way with her, and seemed to exult so
in her own strength whenever she was
in the lame girls presence. 1t might
be all her own fancy, but Mignonnette
could not drive it away.
Il suppose it means that we are
going TO have things nice and new" !"
she answered.
'Is that all ?"
"What else should it be?''
''Pooh!'' said Sylvia. "As if you
expect to make me believe that you
are such blind mole as that Mr..
Richard is going to be married =
married y Mignonnette's gray eyes
were wide open now. "Who told you
so?"
Little stupid" laughed Sylvia
lightly. Cannot you see thing
unless it is told you in so many words ?
Nobody told me, yet | know p
Married y repeated Mignonnette,
"ani to whom?"
"How should | know retorted
Sylvia, coloring and looking coquet-
tish. And the thought flashed into
Mignonnette's mind that Sylvia her
self must be the future bride.
"Of course you won't like it, went
on Sylvia, "and it isn't natural that
you should"
"Why should ! not p Mignonnette
struggled bravely with herself to say.
you'll have to 60 away. 1t isn't
likely that Mr. Richards wife will
want you about the place you're lame
and can't do much, you see. Where
do you suppose you will go? Sarah
Clegg went TO New York 10 learn the
dressmaking art yesterday, and Mil
dred Hoyt has got an excellent place
in milliner's."
Don't talk TO me now, please" i'm
plored Mignonnette, with scared look
in her great gray eyes, and Sylvia
went away with half concealed smile
lowering about her lips.
"The little dolt :" she thought to
herself. live put one idea into her
head, at least and if he does propose
to me, as he will do if I've any tact,
she won't be in my way. She can't
expect that because people have been
kind to her, and brought her up, they
are going to support her always. |
couldn't have her round in my way,
and it's a kindness to Richard Owen