Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-10-26
THE BRIDES BARGAIN.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.


a-purpose. The idea of Squire Brownell
marrying such slip of thing as that
Hardly more than sixteen, with hair
| flying down her back exactly like q
child's; and he past fortyl l call it ri
diculous."
And Miss Drusilla, who had not been
without hopes of capturing the well-to-
do widower herself, turned away, with
the frosty tip of her nose elevated SUI
perciliously In the air.
But while the villagers of Grange
field were thus freely expressing their
minds, Hetty Brownell, the bride, was
skipping from room to room of the
picturesque little cottage which was to
be her summer home.
ooh, what a lovely pale blue carpet"
cried she. "Andwhite muslin curtains,
Topped with blue ribbon, and a mirror
that one can see ones whole self in.
But the dining-room is deal too dark
and gloomy. I shall get Cecil to have
it upholstered in rose color or pale buff.
And such a lot of horrid old twisted
chairs and spider-legged tablesl"
She was as fresh and pretty as a rose
bud, with her baby-clear complexion,
coral lips and innocent blue eyes-this
young wife of the sage lawyers.
He had fallen in love with her as
suddenly and inextricably as if he had
been schoolboy instead of widower
Of forty.
She was the niece of the old man who
officiated as janitorin the great marble
fronted building on Cedar street, where
lawyers, brokers and insurance agents
congregated like bees, in huge,
swarming hive.
Old Hopkins was stupid and litter
ate enough, but Hetty was like deli
cate wayside flower, and Cecil Brownell
lost his heart TO her at once0She had
some education, for she was training
for district school teacher, and she
had an innocent winning way, which the
lawyer could not resist.
So he married her, and Dreamed away
1 happy month on the breezy heights
Of the White Mountains, before he re-
turned to the beaten tracks of everyday
ifc.
And now Hetty had come 10 G1hge-
ield, where two staid old family SER
'ants, who had belonged to the first
Mrs. Brownell, were waiting to well
'ome her; and Mr. Brownell was to fol-
ow, as soon as he adjusted his accu-
nulated arrears of business.
"Why, she amt nothing but child"
aid Dorcas, as she Aounced back into
Ter kitchen. II axed her what was her
riders for breakfast, and she says
avs she, Il don't know. JI7st what you
,lease, says She"
mo more like the first missis than
halk is like cheese" ret orted Mary
INN. ave might as well have a big
wax doll about the place. Ifyou'n be-
leve me, Dorcas, she's a-si.ttin fiat on
he floor now, a-playin' with the catl"
But H city Brownell was presently
reused from her frolic with the kitten
y tie nasal and insinuating accents of
peddler, who had come clear up onI
he yeranda, and was putt ng his head
brough the lace draperies of the win
ows.
"China, ma'am?" said he, with bow
nd a serape. Elegant vases? Gift
ups an sa-aacars? Ma ntle-!ier orna-
lents? In exchange fer secondhand
lothes, or any old truck you've got
bout the house, ma'am.."
Hetty looked at the contents of the
'ell piled basket with sparkling eyes.
he had all the admiration for gaudy,
howy things that belongs to q savage
r child.
GLOW pretty" said she picking out
gilded vase. painted all over with
prawling 70 ses. "But L haven't any
Id clothes.
"Oh, L amt roways part cular,
la'am," said the man. 'tAny old stick
furiiture'll do-plated-ware, picters,
nyth'ng under the sun as you're tired
e.
Hetty looked around. In her secret |
Aind she had already established the |
lift vase on the top of an antique cabi-
ct opposite, and filed it with the
oneysuckle sprays that were twining |
o luxuriantly around The piazza col
INNS; and she took an ancient and var
ished-looking porcelain ornament
rom the sideboard-a dragon, with
i'm green eyes, and shifting peacock