Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1898-08-19
ct shall take the head of the table

myself now. Miss Nancy" declared
Octavia, as she came down TO break
fast, in pink mo ming dress, not at
all suitable to her light complexion
and red hair. PA ant afford 10 keen
a hired housekeepe. now I'm at home.
so you had best 10 out for another
situation. OF course we could give you
references for honesty, and so forth"
and Octavia jingled the teaspoons in
the cups, and took her place at the
head of the table with a flourish of
trumpets. as II were.
Great was the surprise OF Farmer
Mavis when Octavia informed him that
Miss Nancy was going away.
Going away!" he repeated, staring
half stupidity at his daughter.
That's what said. amt it?" snap
ped Octavia. tartly. Going away. She
knows you don't need two housekeep-
ers; and now I'm here, OF course It's
my place."
So there was no help for It, and
Farmer Mavis harnessed up the horse.
and helped Miss Nancy into the spring
wagon.
That's the last OF her. thank good
nessl" muttered Octavia to herself
when old Dapple had trotted out OF
sight; land I'd give Viney her walk
ing-papers. too, II it wasn't that |
really need somebody to do the heft OF
the kitchen work. But I'll teach her
to know her place. She's no better
than a servant-girl, IL she is pas niece.
| ~ Nvh
the visit he promised | shall keep her
out OF his sight or of course she'd be
asserting her cap for him when she
knows how rich he is"
The sun had slipped quite out oi
sight In the crimson west, and night
hawks and bats were fitting about In
search of their prey. when the sound
of wheels was heard in the lane. and
old Dapple came trotting into sight as
briskly as II he had been in the pas
ture all day. instead OF travelling
twenty-four miles to and from the
railroad station.
Pas comet" announced Octavia.
sailing out to the back porch, where
Viney sat, with dropping head and
aching heart, signing over the happ>
days that were gone forever. And
good gracious. he's brought Miss
Nancy back againl" she cried. snap-
pishly. as two figures came up the
walk in the purple gloaming.
"Oh. no. Octavy. l hain't brought
Miss Nancy backl" returned her
father. good naturedly. This here's
my wife. Mrs. jeremiah Mevis. /
hadn't no use for two houselxeepers.
you know" he added with a sly
twinkle in his eye. so l concluded TO
keep Nancy"
Octavia tossed her head, and founced
off to her own room.
II won't stand 1T" she declared 10
herself "Ill marry Archie Grey. and
snap my fingers at pa and all the rest
OF them"
She went sulkily down to breakfast
the next morning, without deigning
a glance at her stepmother. who sat at
the head OF the table. pouring out cof-
fee. Her father seemed in high spirits.
wal, Octavy. If you can't be the
housekeeper, you kin soon hev Viney's
place, / reckon" he remarked, with
twinkling eyes. "One weddln' makes
many. they say an she's a-goin to be
married afore long"
Married."
Octavia was thunderstruck.
YES" said Farmer Mavis, while
Viney blushed like a brier-rose.
"Archie Grey has been a-comin' to see
her off an on fur a good spell now;
an yesterday we met him nigh the par
sonage, an he asked me plump out for
Viney. So / said / reckon ! could
spare her. seein' you was home now.
to take her place"
Viney made pretty, dimpled. blush
ing little bride. but Octavia is an old