Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-01-25

week passed away, and Paul
found himself grooming in spirit over
tho Misses Clements. Ho had wan
dered in search of tho picturesque
with Nora. had sacrificed gloves and
boots IN the pursuit Of wonderful
ooughs and inaccessible flowers. Ho
mad listened to Georgiane till his ears
fairly aohed, and he was divided in his
own mind as to whether the performer
or tho listener deserved the moro pity.
He had admired Cordelia in every va.
riety of costume, in every effective at
titude; had seen her eyes raised and
tho long lnshes of the dropping lids;
and marveled Mt the whiteness of her
hands, Mt the profusion of her curling
hair; had considered her beauty, n
WEAKNESS and a burden of spirits.
The three eldest girls were o good
deal puzzled dNbout DIR. Goddard, and
not a little hNmiliated by his apparent
indifference.
"He doesn't seem to possess The
least love for art, " said Nora, disdain-
fully. 81 have shown him my very
finest pieces of work, and when I at
tempt to discuss them he looks bored.
He is our guest, ] know, but really 1
must say he is rather rude"
"As for music" chimed in Gcorci.
ana, 81 don't believe he has any err
: for it. Tho other day I went into tho
drawing-room with my latest piece of
music. / thought ho might like to
hear it, but would you believe it.
girls, ho listened TO my singing,
thanked me absent-mindedly. and then
excused -himself?"
HE isn't q bit clever at turning
compliments, sighed Cordelia, rising
and examining herself critically in n
mirror. GIVE changed my costume
'at least three times every day, and no
has never once told mo that such and
such dress became mo wonderfully. :"
''He's BEAR" cried Nora, resent.
fully. 81 really think, girls, that
WED better stop trying TO ploasc him
land devote ourselves to our own
'bents."
For somo moments tho girls wcrc
silent. 1t was tempting retaliatory
but would DIR. Goddard
care? He certainly seemed most
'unapprecintive young man.
No; they could not afford to let him
severely alone. Young mon were too
scarce, and each of these thrce girls
had secret but positive desire to
marry and have homes of their own
1t was only Maggie who found no
fault with Paul. Sho devoted herself
to making her brothers charming
friend comfortable, and permitted
herself to have no other thought.
Aud she knew that Paul was enjoy
ing himself. She read it in bis eyes,
which glistened ut cveryfrcsh sign of
her though&fulness, q Which ono of her
sisters dj2he prcfe}? she wondered.
But 81 oulL aid but little time to
speak to Maggie. 'Ho saw the ovi-
dencos Of her industry and tasto in
every dekiil of housekeeping; knew
whose skill directed the servants
whose fingers filled tho flower vases !;
whose Dyes were everywhere. But tho
very perfection of all these arrange
mnets kept tho little woman too busy
for many idle moments, and in the
evening the older sisters were all-on-
crossing.
Two months had passed., and in
stead of June roses, early fall fruits
and flowers were abundant at Moss
vale, when Paul Goddard passed. again
through the village, and called Mt DR..
Clements's Office.
~ am sorry" said Howard, as he
cordially shook his friend by the hand.
Cali the girls are away. Uncle James
invited them to pass month ut tho
White Mountains, and they deserted
me-"
"Thon you arc alone"
ooh, not entirely. Maggie stays to
keep house for me"
ooh, Miss Maggie is here? Shall I
intrude if stay a day OF two, How
nrd?'
"Intrude, Paul? Far from it. am
not very busy, and Maggie was telling
me to-day that time actually hangs
heavy on her hands. Yon know she
was always running for the others. So
now the little damsel has time 10 en-
Joy herself, and wo have had some
lovely rides and drives. Maggie does
ride beautifully, 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 TINT the
retiring, modest girl was one of the
pleasantest companions it had ever
been his good fortune TO meet.
II WAS IN amusement the young ply
stefan enjoyed, to draw out the nc
complishmonts that had been over
shadowed by her sisters loudly-pro-
claimed talents and attractions. He
found that Maggie could sing wish n
sweet. bird-like voice, though ale
never attempted the difficult, songs in
which Georgiana was supposed to ex-
eel. She could play simple pieces
with feeling and expression, and her
fingers would fairly dance over the
Keys in livelier music that required no
wonderful talent or elaborate execu-
ton.
And it was wonderful how pretty
the child-like face became in Paul
Goddard's eyes. There was charm