Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-07-25
A COUNTRY GIRL.


live with her mothers brother and his
wife, and he educated Atterward
she was to stay with them, or come
back and live on the farm with an
other uncle, brother Of her fathers,
just as she might choose, for Lois was
an orphan.
Her city aunt had come down for
her. bringing all sorts Of fincry with
her, and promising Il great deal finer
when they got to town.
Mrs. Warburton did not attempt To
conceal her contempt for her pretty
niece's surroundings, laughed aloud at
the little trunk which contained all
Lois available possessions, and con
tidentially informed her as soon rs
they were a safe distance from the
farm house the Warburtons were quite
different set from the Motifs.
Lois stood not little in awe Of her
grand and decidedly handsome city
aunt admiringly in awe, that is.
She was secretly in ecstasy at the pros
pect Of the grandeur she was going 20,
but she was very fond Of Uncle and
Aunt Mott, too, and her eyes filled
with tears as she remembered how
sorrowiul they had felt at her going
and how pitifully her aunt Mott had
said to her Aunt Warhurton
You'll teach her to feel above
country folks. | calculate, Salome"
Mrs Warburton had laughed and
responded with courteous negative
but so indiilerently spoken that it she
hal dared, Lois would have flung her
arms about her aunt Motifs neck in
addition 10 exclaiming with suppressed
indignation, "She never, never could
feel above anybody she loved -
The city was like fairy land to
Lois
The education her aunt talked so
much about proved scarcely what is
generally understood BY the time Lois
had teacher in music, and one in
dancing. For the rest she had a
hair dresser and mantuamaker, who
did their nest to distigure that wild
rose pretiiness of hers, and only par
tally succeeded.
Simple Lois was romantic.
Very soon upon her coming TO the
city she had meet her hero and duly
shrined him in her waiting heart. 1t
was one dav when she had been out
shopping with her aunt. The horses
had started Just as she was entering
the carriage, and she would have fall.
EN- but for the swift and strong arm
of gentleman who was passing. She
was conscience at the moment OF beam.
ing dark eyes. Her aunt thanked
him for her, and she. scarcely daring
to lift her eyes yet, became somehow
aware that he was tall and distinguish
ell looking and had beautiful smile
"It must be love at first sigh" "
sighed Lois, as she dropped her head
upon the pillow that night and fell
away into happy dreams.
After that she saw him from afar
often. when she was out with her aunt
in the daytime. and she knew by his
glance in her direction that he re.
membered her.-That was food
enough for her romantic heart for a
time
But she never met him at any 0!
the festivities which she and her aunt
frequented night after night, till Lois
young fresh eyes showed signs of wear.
mess and she began TO think balls and
parties were not the height of felicity
after all.
One day she had left her aunt nj
Madame's ordering dress and gown,
at her desire. and went on indispensa-
BILE errand to another street. 1t was
so near she had not taken the car
riage, and returning in sort Of trance
at having met her hero squarely, and
involuntarily given him blushing
little nod Of recognition, she took !,
wrong direction, and before she knew
it. walking as in a dream. she found
herself involved in one of those street
crowds, which, in. New York, swarm
like magic at the slightest excuse.
Then she suddenly discovered where
she vas, but before she had time to be
frightened scarcely to be bewildered
by the loud talking and rough iostling
about her, a voice at her side said
"Please take my arm. think you
must have lost your way And there
was her hero again.
He smiled ut her surprise and con
fusion.
Il was not following you," he said
/. though it looks like it. | am glad
, came this way, however. for YOU nigh
have got into trouble. This is bat
locality"
He left her with courteous bow
as soon as he had put her fairly in tn,
: right way again, and silly Lois littl
feet were shod with clouds the rest o
the day.
"lt is just like story" she said t,
!, herself with sighs Of rapture. "Hoy
nice it was Ia meet him so, and hoy
handsome he is, lie must think m