Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-07-29
CHAPTER XVII.

Ii was n glorious day-that first of
May! Never had the yerdant Island,
the broad river and it's wooded banks,
seemed fresher. gay er or lovelier.
Within a shaded creek on the south
crn side OF the island, a little boat of
snow-white sails was moored. Ii had
Just arrived from Cornport. with GER
tain luxuries and elegancies for the &C.
aston. And oh. but everybody in the
little seaport town must have known
what was going on at Fuljoy's Isle
that day.
Within the mansion all was in a high
state Of hustle. getting ready for the
reception of the bridal party. This was
the day after the wedding and the
happy pair We're expected to arrive in
time for a late dinner. Preparations
were therefore being made upon a
great scale; the house had been newly
furnished. and decorated in elegant
style. And the last finishing touches
were now being made, under the SUI
pervision of Miss Mehitable Powers.
Miss Hit limited her labors to the ex-
ertion of moving slowly from room to
room, sinking heavily into easy chairs.
and signing forth her instructors TO
the troop of eager, excited houseiaaids
that attended her. She had waddled
through the house about nine times that
day, and was about to commence her
terth and last tour of inspection, when.
suddenly, without rapping, Etty Burns
danced into the hall. Etty Burns, the
black-haired, red-cheeked little niece OF
old Major Patrick Burns. Of Burnstop.
eOh, Miss Hit. / have come to see the
rooms before the wedding party ar
riyes! You will show me through them,
will you not?" exclaimed the GREATNESS
girl,
Bless my life and soul. Etty, how
you did startle me-. Why, however did
You get acrossg'
why, rowed across, of course; did
you suppose I swami
you'll drown yourself some day; l
say 1t and stick to it. l wonder 1t Ma
jor Patrick TO let you run on as you
do.'
There. now, I didn't run. / row.d,
| tell you. But now! show me through
the rooms, that's a dear, good Miss
Hit"
..Show you through the rooms.
humph. yes, and put all sorts Of things
into your head! humph, well. i suppose
they would come there all the sane!'
sighed Miss Hit.
"You can make your affidavit to
that.' assented Etty.
"Humph, ha! well, II wasn't so when
/ was young!.'
mo: for people had no rooms to think
about: they dwelt in tents in those am
tediluvian days! Come away and let US
see the suite"
"Oh, Etty. what n shame your grand
mother don't take you homer
My grandmother Is Ger aud to be
flashed wi the likes o. me-"
"Oh, Etty. Etty, how your education
has been neglected. The likes OF you,
But come along; Ii you must see the
house you must. l suppose"
They were 10Y standing in the hall,
and Miss Hit opened the door on the
right-hand side. and displayed the draw
ing room in its splendid new suit Of
furniture. all blue and siiver-blue sat
In damask curtains faced with = FER.
and draped with inner hangings or lace;
blue velvet sofas, and ottomans. and
easy chairs; silver chandeliers to
match: and, finally. a Brussels Garnet.
with blue harebeils running over n sill
very-white ground. The room was dec
Grated with flowers, wreathed around
the chandeliers, festooned over The tops
of the mirrors. and grouped in vases
upon the mantel-p,eces and center ard
side tables.
Etty. who had never seen ANYTHING
better than the plain. old-faslioncd
farm house furniture at Burnstop. was
in raptures at all this f1nery, among
which sh ewould have loved to linccr
had not Miss Hit opened n communicate
ing door. and introduced her into a very
pretty little morning room, the hang
ings and furniture OF which were OF
maize-coiored silk.
They then crossed the central ball.
opened the door on the left hand, and
entered the dining room, the walls of
which were covered with the finest pic
tures-some were originals Of celebrat-
ed living artists. and others excellent