The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-05-16

Miss Jerusha Budd was sitting all
alone in the soft, scented moonlight OF
the summer evening. She had turned
down the light of the little hanging
lamp in order better to enjoy the hush
ed stiffness and the stars and the fra
grant air, and sat with her quaint.
peaceful little face turned toward the
open window.
Je.l sha was an old maid-that is,
she was fast verging upon her 29th
year-and she wasn't particularly pref
ty, nor particularly intellectual. and
she was dependent on her aunt for the
daily bread and mullins she ate, and the
daily cups of tea she drank.
She had bright brown hair aud big
shady hazel eyes, as a sort of set-o{f
against her wide mouth and muddy
complexion, and her teeth were white
and regular and her lips red as the red
dest cardinal flower that blazes in the
woods. So, after all, she had some
thing to be thankful for
Dear me- Jerusha, how frightfully
dark and gloomy it is here. Are you
asleep? Do turn up the lights and
shut the windows" 1t was the voice of
Mrs. Cortland, petulant and irascible
Jerusha rose, with a sigh, to obey the
imperiCds summons. The pretty little
widow was no easy task mistress to
those whom fate had placed under her
command.
There, that's more like it. Now
brush out my hair. It's past y, and so
stupid down stairs. That provoking
Major ROchefort never came near me,
though know he was smoking his hor-
rid cigar out on the lawn. I'll cure
him of that habit when once I'm mar
ried to him"
Mrs. Cortland looked complacently
at the reflection of her face and figure
in the glass before which she sat: q
round, dimpled face with slight touch
OF rouge on either cheek, rosy, pouting
lips, deep blue eyes beneath perfectly
Penciled brows and shiny, glossy con-
fusion Of the loveliest golden hair. No
wonder the widow laughed and drew
ont with her pretty fingers the long
curls that dropped over her shoulder.
Nobody would think l was day
over 30,' said Mrs. Cortland But
there's a great deal in keeping ones
self well preserved. You poor little
Jelusha, You look old enough to be my
grandmother
Jerusha sighed. She would have
been no true woman if she had not
many time wished for the dangerous
gill Of beauty.
but you shall have some of my black
lace to festoon over your old silk, and
come into the ballroom tomorrow
night went on the little widow, feel
ln@ generously disposed.
hank you, aunt. l don't care to
come IN.
But you must. I'll give you pair
o. my gloves and bunch OF white
rosebuds from the garden viii be quite
dress enough for your hair | want
vou to see nv splendid Major Roche.
fort
"Your Major Rocbpfort auntop
AS rood as mine responded the
was captiyated he is. eyervbodv is talk
inc of it. and concratuIatino me ON NV
conquest. Mrs. EIlys saws he has the
sweetest place up the Hudson. and a
house in New York. Won't it be nice?
OF course, Won will come and live with
US. Jerusha."
Jerusha smiled bitterly.
There that will do NV hair is
brushed enouob and the friction of the
brush makes me feel sIeepy."
Mrs. Cortland was in = very III hu-
NOR all the next day. probahlv baca,,se
Major Rochefort had cone off ridino
before breakfast to be absent all dav.
I'm out of all patience with Won J"
she said rs .Jerusha Iahored to ARRANGE
the trimming satisfactorilv on her annf's
white dress. Il never saw ANYTHING so
clumsy in my life! / believe YOU are
crumplinr ND that fulle ON pnrnosen
How Will this do auntio
Il won't wear the bideo,s thino."
But dear aunt" fimidlv beoau
the TREMBLING .Jerusha
Look here, Jerusha I've borne with
your freaks Just about long enough.
You'll leave me tomorrow aud earn
your own livinr. | am tired Of main
tanning YOU in idleness. Do Won bearPD
Il hear. aunt
Then please have vonr trppk naoLad
have made un mind and and I dom don,f Pohgi intend
tc alter it.o
Mrs. Cortland retired with her bottle
Of smelling salts and her book to the
bed, to d0ze away the afternoon. and
try, as She said. ito recover her poor
nerves, if possible"