Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-10-14

SO She wrote to the niece she had
never met in person, that she would
cook the dinner, and then refreshed
her imagination by looking at Bessy's
photograph.
She had well called her proud,
pretty little thing. Such sweetness
and such pride are seldom combined
in the same Countenauce. Every
feature was replete with beauty of
its kind. The nose straight and
delicate, the lips firm, yet tenderly
arched; the eyes smiling and lus-
trous the face perfect oval; and,
to crown all, the soft, waVy hair
thrown carelessly from the low brow,
and braided in massive coronet.
This was the picture of which Wal
ter had written just two years ago as
follows:
"1t is not half as beautiful as the
original; color, motion and grace
are wanting. But, oh, aunty, she's
a thousand times too lovely and too
good for me. Shall l ever be worthy
of such treasure ?"
"And now since she has conde-
scended to step down from the ped
estal of worship and care and cook
Tor him, he must needs find fault
with every effort she makes to please
his fastidious palate" she said, in
dignantly. "I'll give him a lesson"
And she INDUCED her sense of
amusement by contemplating the
sort of punishment she intended to
mete out to the rring nephew.
The last of December came, and
1
night he said:
l had telegram this morning.
Aunt Prue will be here by seven
O'Clock tomorrow. l suppose you
have everything ready?"
"Quite ready" was Bessy's reply,
and very anxious TO make her com
Portable. Would you like 10 sec her
room ?"
Well, yes, don't care if | do"
said Walter, who had come home in
an exceptionally good humor, and
taking little Lulu upon his shoulder,
the child Growing with delight, he
followed his wife upstairs, thinking
very probably he might be able to
suggest some improvement. 1t was
his way rather to suggest alterations
than to speak well Of what was al
ready done.
"Don't you think you've looped
the curtains altogether too low 2" ne
querled. And isn't it rather child
lsh to tie them with blue? ?"
thought blue was your favor
lite color" said Bessy, who had fan
cied her arrangement of the one
| pay-Wlndow masterpiece.
Yes; but-yOu see the hanging
basket In the center, being neces-
sarily composed Of green plants and
vines, makes the contrast unpleas-
ant"
True enough" said Bessy, with
the least possible tinge of sarcasm i'm
her voice. | might have looped
them with green, but then, you see,
L would have had to drape the toilet
with green; and the carpet, hap
pening to be blue and fawn, perhaps
the contrast might have been still
more unpleasant. Shall | take the
basket down? You know YOU said
your aunt was fond Of plants"
" Perhaps if she is, she may not
like them in her bedroom. How
ever, let the thing be-" he added,
graciously. 81 would loop the cur
tain foot higher, though"
" And spoil it ALL" said Bessy,
almost petulantly; for she often of
late found herself inclined to snap
under the constant succession of
mildly Irritating criticisms in which
her husband indulged.
No-render the effect hundred
times prettier. But no matter. !
am man, and suppose my opinion
goes tor nothing. Still, would like
TO see the curtains changed"
Little Lulu meantime applauded
her mothers handiwork with loud
acclamations. "Pitty, pity - she
cried, pursuing up her rosy mouth,
ana clapping her baby hands, as she
looked from point to point.
Wouldn't blue have looked bet
ter upon the bed ?" asked Walter,
whose wide glances could find no
fault in the other arrangements.
1t seemed to me white was more
appropriate" Bessy made answer,
but If you prefer the blue I will
put 1t on"
" Most decidedly" said Walter,
delighted with this concession. IL
| knew the room wanted something,
and that was it. am sure you will
be better pleased yourself. 1t won't
be much trouble. You've all day
tomorrow, and particularly want
Aunt Prue to be pleased. From
what L have said of you, she will
have no ordinary expectations as to
your taste and ability. So do me
| honor"
1t was always me with lordly
| Walter Allison.
The next day Aunt Prue came
punctually at seven in the evening.
Bessy, the baby, everything. looked
charming by gaslight.
Aunt Prue was very weary, being
unused to travelling, and declined
supper, taking only a glass of milk,
and retiring almost Immediately.
" How do you like her?" asked
Walter.
Very much. I am sure shall
love her very dearly before long"
l think you will. Has she not
lovely face? She is not as beautiful
as my mother was, but she has al
ways seemed like mother to me-
We must try to make her visit en-
joyable. The only thing tremble
about is the table the fare. OF
course you will do the best you can,
but there is knack about these
things, / might almost say a genius,
which only the favored few possess.
l was glad she declined the supper,
she is so very particular about her