Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1898-04-15
GETAWAYS WORK.
They are coming. Viney,"


Miss Nancy Crowfoot tucked ber
Dali OF blue yarn into her apron-pock-
ell, and shading her eyes with one
hand. looked down the lane, where tall
mulberry-trees threw their long shad-
ows on the velvety grass.
Coming, Miss Nancy" echoed a
sweet voice.
And pretty Whey Mavis hastily
showed gooseberry pie into the oven
and came out on the back porch. with
Its drapery of pink and violet-cupped
mornlng-gl vines.
She. too, gazed eagerly down the
long lane, and soon the sapphire-blue
eyes sparkled and the pink-tinted
cheeks broke into dimpling smiles.
It's them." she cried. 81 could tell
ola Dapple's jog-trot a mile away"
whey had been up since peep of day.
when the first touch of pink blushed
In the eastern sky. and when the
thrush and the cat-bird were thrilling
their earliest morning peans.
She had MIXED the strengthening
cows, their dew-laps still wet from
contact with dripping grass, and had
breakfast ready just as the crimson
sun was peeping over the cloud-capped
bluffs, lining the shores OF the great
Father of Waters.
1t was an extraordinary occasion. as
Farmer Mavis was going to the rail-
road station. twelve miles distant. to
bring home his only daughter, Octavia.
from the boarding school.
Don't you bother yourself about
breakfast. Whey" said the farmer.
good-naturedly, as he lighted his cob
pipe at the kitchen fire. Il kin eat a
snack, and hev breakfast when we git
home"
But Whey would not hear to it, and
with her own hands she fried her
uncle's favorite pancakes, yellow with
eggs. poured his coffee, and set a glass
of fresh, sweet milk ut his plate.
Dinner will be all ready when you
get back, uncle. so bring n good ap-
petite" she said, kissing him good-by.
1t was happy family that dwelt at
the old brown farmhouse.
Farmer Mavis was good nature per-
sonifed, and Miss Nancy. the house
Keeper. was sweet-tempered old
maid; not so very old, either. for
youthful crinkles still lurked in her
soft brown hair, ard her cheeks were
as rosy as winter pear-main Just
touched by the frost. She was a dis
tant connection of Farmer Mavis. and
had kept house for him ever since the
death of his wife, six years ago.
Whey was his niece. and was as dear
to him as an own daughter.
Great were the preparations which
were made for Octavia's Homecoming.
Miss Nancy had secured the windows
and made up the plump bed, with fresh
lavender-scented sheets and pillow
slips. and the best homespun coverlet.
And Whey had cooked a substantial
dinner-roast chicken and cream bis
cult, new potatoes and green peas and
cauliflower, with custard and goose
berry pie for dessert.
In the meantime, Octavia was on the
cars, speeding along at the rate of a
mile minute. She was a sharp-feat
ured. thin-lipped girl, with light hair.
and face as freckled as n turkeys egg.
81 am going home to keep house for
my pa" she had said, affectionately, to
her girl cronies. "To-be-sure. he has
a sort of relative keeping house now
an old maid-but shall soon set her
adrift. detest old maidsl"
In due time Octavia reached home.
She bestowed cool nod on Miss Nancy
and touched Viney's fnger-tips frig-
idly.
Mercy on u.s." she cried, in a thin.
high voice. as she entered the house.
Dinner at this hour? How horrid,
What does make pa keep such old
fashioned hours?"
Miss Nancy and Whey stood aghast
at this unlooked-for reception.
I'VE had it earlier than usual on
your account. Octavia," ventured her
cousin. I'VE thought you might need
something"
Need something, indeed" shifted
Octavia, with sneer on her thin lips.
DO you spose I've been starved where
| came from? Besides, had n lunch
on the cars. I'm going up to my room
to take a nap now" she added. ct
will be soon enough for dinner after
that" and she swung out of the room
without waiting for reply.
wal, eff that don't beat ALL" grum-
bled Farmer Mavis, his honest blue
eyes expanding with surprise. EFF
Octavy thinks we are goin' to wait for
her to nap afore we eat dinner, she
kin think so. that's all! Fetch along
the coffee. Whey"