Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-01-02
ANEW YEAR ROMANCE

ANEW YEAR KOMANCE
"You may talk as much as you
please" said Muriel Vane, nodding her
curly head, "but I'm going to receive
company in the parlor on New Year 8
day. Why shouldn't I? Every other girl
does"
"It's "a sinful, wicked waste Of time,"
said Mrs. Vane, when tho quilting is
so behindhand and there's such deal
Of sewing to be done"
but life isn't all for work." plead
ed Muriel "And Mr.. Clifton is coming
oil the way from the city in his sleigh
to soe me. Oh, mother, please let me
have loaf OF homemade cake and some
red apples and real cream for the coffee |!
just for this once! It's only one day
In the year. Do, mother!'
STUFF aud nonsensel'' said Mrs.
vane. who was one Of those aggravating
women who make up their minds on
tho least possible grounds and then
pride themselves on adhering to their
word. 1--WE said no, and I mean no.
When I was a young girl wasn't set
ting my cap at every fellow that came
along"
Mother" cried Muriel, In an agony
Of wounded pride. "do you mean to say
<1,ok An .roh n th{uo2,,
"You think a deal too much Of the
beaus anyway" said old Mrs. vane.
screwing up her thin lips. And I'm
going to break up that sort Of thing.
See II I dou't!'
It was with difficulty that Murtel
vane, naturally a high tempered girl,
checked the indignant retort that rose
TO her lips Surely. surely, 1t was not
right that she, a girl Of ls, who was
earning her own living by teaching in
tho district school. should be treated
like o child of 8; that her tyrannical
old mother should place no confidence
whatever in her sense Of right and deli
cacy. Up to this time she had rendered
tho tribute Of an unwilling obedience
TO Mrs. Vane's behests, and now she
felt that tie moment for just rebellion
had come. She felt that she could not
1.-Two any longer in this cralnped, mig
gardly sort Of way, with tho very Jumps
OF sugar for her tea meted out to her,
one by one. and the pipptn apples for
her lunch dealt sparingly forth, as II
each one were nodded In gold, Mrs
Vans took her lamp away at O'Clock
every night She dictated to poor Mu-
riel us to tho very color Of her dresses
and the number Of yards which che
might purchase for them; In fact, the
girl scarcely dared to think for herself.
Could she live thus always7 she asked
herself. Was it right that she should!
'At all events, mother, said Mu-
riel, speaking in low. determined
tone. II shall receive my friends on
New Years day 1t is my privilege.
and claim itr'
"Humph - was the contemptuous re-
joinder. but there was world Of mean
ing in it.
So Muriel retrimmed her one black
silk dress and bought new ribbon sash
and baked . great. golden New Years
cake filed with plums and studded all
through with translucent bars Of citron
and herself hargained with the grocer
for two pounds Of real Java coffee with
a. little adulteration Of Rio, Maracaibo
and chicory as he could bring himself
to ooncoot.
II can use the china that my grand.
mother Vane left me in her will"
thought Muriel. "That. at least, "a
mine, although mother would never a.
low me to unpack Ill"
She was busy decorating the walls OF
tho little parlor with laurel leaves and
long, dark green trails Of PRINCES pine
ON Now Years eve, when her mother
came into the room.
"Muriel," said she, Il want TO send
some dressed chickens and peck Of
those golden pippins to your Aunt Dora
ct the lighthouse. jenkins boy Is ready
with the boat, but he's such limb that
] don't, for the life Of me. dare to trust
him with the apples and the bag Of
hickory nuts. want you to 60 and ask
Aunt Dora for the pattern Of the new
bedquilt-the Philadelphia pavement,
you know"
Every we'll, mother" said Muriel in
the old submissive way. "But isn't It
rather late1"
"Pshawr' said Mrs. Vane. why,
the sun is an hour high yet. You'll be
back long before dark II jenkins boy is
swy with the oars"
Aunt DON, Mrs. vane's only sister,
was . worthy scion Of the family tree
tall, masculine and hard featured. She
had always taken the entire charge Of
White Reefs lighthouse, even although
the official appointment was conferred
upon her husband, and when one day
that public servant departed this life.
things went on precisely the same Mu-
riel was not fond Of her Aunt Dora, and
her Aunt Dora regarded her as poor,
chicken hearted oreature-Vane all
over" But Muriel did feel sorry for the
lonely old woman, and ahe thought that
even pair Of fowls and few apples
this unwonted manifestation Of sisterly
feeling-were worth carrying TO White
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