The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-12-12

"Miss Margaret ' had such; 9
thought. she has . fellow"
"what OF the young man Mr..
Clsyton" asked John.
swell, he is everything proper
too" said Ellie, "hsndsome, smart,
rich and good and every girl far and
near has her cap SET"
"There is quite a difference In the
two descriptions of them, yours and
Charities. What did he call them
deceitful, %scheming shams?"
"She calls him ~handsome," said
Charlie with a sneer, land he has
the hstefulest look of any man / YER
saw. II he owned the whole state OF
Missouri instead of that little halt
section, he couldn't put on more.n
John was regarding Ellie and
Charlie very critically as tho to de.
termine definitely what they really
did think Of the new people who
were causing such q stir in the COM
munity.
But they had now arrived at .aThe
Elms," the name Of Mrs. Dabney's
ne country seat. Sure enough,
there stood a magnificent buggy and
team hitched in front, which no
doubt belonged to the new corners,
the Claytons they were just talking
about.
"Now, john" said Charlie giving
his brother a punch, "Mother and
Miss Margaret will commence their
siege on you now, I am thankful to
say"
Mrs. Dabney and her guests were
standing in the front porch as they
came up, and John was surprised to
see in the Claytons quite o handsome
and distinguished looking pair.
Young Mr.. Clayton whose name was
Lionel, abbreviated by his friends to
Lon, was a six-footer, square aud
erect of form, hair black and waved
gracefully over a high broad fore
head, under which shone a pair OF
brilliant black eyes. There was
no mistake John thought about
El6e's description.
He was q handsome man, and
would be picked out as one among a
Thousand.
Miss Margaret was strikingly like
him. John thought he had never
seen as beautiful a woman, so queenly
and graceful and yet so soft man
nered and winning.
He was astonished that Charlie
had not fallen in love at first sight,
as his brothers. impulsive disposition
made him prone to such folly.
But he thought, it is more than
likely he has found out that she does
not like him, and that is why he is 30
bitter.
While these thoughts were passing
through his mind, he was being in
troduced and trying to say something
nice to the young lady who was no.
ticing him as closely as he noticed
her.
''This is John, Miss Margaret,
said his mother, "you have heard me
speak of him SO often you must not
look on him as a stranger" Ei
"oh no." she said, ''it seems like
I have. always known him, I have
heard SO much about him from You
and Ellie"
"Now that he lie at home,n said
Mrs. Dabney, 1--WE will not spend 30
many lonely hours. Charlie and
Ellie are too selfish to try to enter
tain any mi except themselves, and
if it had not been for you and Mr..
Clayton l should have been tempted
to break up housekeeping before
now"
A stiffness fell on them all and
Ellie taking her hat up left the room.
Miss Margaret tho very gracefully
turned the conversation, by saying
to John,
"Mr. Dabney you look so much
like your mother. 1 should have
known you anywhere by the like
ness"
Now Johns mother was q hand
some woman and John was not con-
sidered handsome. He was a mus
cular' and strongly built man, OF
distinguished appearance, but his
face was not to say handsome. A
broad high forehead, large nose and
mouth gave his face a rough, rugged
look, but his intelligent, thoughtful
eyes in which kindness shone, made
his face pleasant to ven strangers,
how much more to those who knew
and loved him.
81 consider it a compliment to be
thought like mother" he said to
Miss Margaret.
"And so do l." she said, ''for very
few people are as handsome as your
mother"
Ellie and Charlie were not present
to hear these little compliments
passed. But Mrs. Dabney was
watching Johns admiring glances
with a great deal Of pleasure; and
from this favorable beginning she
was quite sure her favorite son would
please her in this matter If Charlie
did not.
TO be continued.)