The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-05

Der of plays of Shakespeare, and for
amusement had brought several chests
of costumes, and before the long mir
rors in the drawing room had acted
many parts together.
t When they again appeared to Amy
from an inner room they were in the
cistume of Rossalind and Celia in the
forest of Arden. So perfect was their
presentation of this part that it certain
ly entered the borderland of art.
'Bravo!" CREW Amy in great excite
ment. Well not go to Washington;
We'll have Washington come TO US.
Wen send lot of invitations and have
the gayest home party that was ever
known in the country"
To this plan Hulda and Jane gave
slow consent.
A month later every guest chamber in
the fine old country home was occu-
pied. The news of his sisters wonder
full accomplishments drew the beloved
brother in Washington to the home he
had not visited for 20 years.
They were mostly the brothers friends
and Amy's, who made the place gay
with laughter and song.
But one room was reserved for
guest whom Hulda and Jane had spe-
cialiy invited. II was late one even
ing after all the others had retired that
he arrived. Amy was greatly amused
and surprised the next morning when
she met on the stair one of the nearest
neighbors-an old gentleman who lived
just across the country road.
why, Mr.. Weston" she exclaimed,
ARE you the guest of honor?"
He was tall. handsome man with
most dignified bearing.
I've always been an honored guest
in this house." he replied, holding out
his hand. The girls thought ] couldn't
really be one of the party unless
closed my house and came over bas
and baggaS Sc. Now, if you don't mind,
Amy, just keeping it to yourself, let
them think I'm a dignitary from some
remote quarter Of the globe, and they
will appreciate me. but if they know
I'm John Weston. who lives across the
road, I'll figure for a simpleton."
No. indeed. you wouldn't, Amy
laughed. You'll be re life of the
party. 1 hoped you'd come over every
day, as you always do, but it will be
so much nicer 20 have you in the
house.
Half an hour later, when the merry
party had gathered at the breakfast
table, the guest OF honor was present
ed. No one had ever a truer gift Of
conversation than John Weston. He
naturally assumed the position of his
long friendship with the family and it
was noticed that Huida and Jane de-
ferred to him in all things as though
they were used to depending on his
Judgment.
The following day it was rumored
that the sisters intended giving the
balcony scene from Romeo and
Juliet in their first appearance, before
their guests.
Amy had been out sleighing all the
afternoon with a number of the young
people and had not known that her
aunts intended representing these jul
Venile lovers. The drawing room was
being set in readiness for the amuse-
ment when the party returned.
John Weston, acting as stage archi-
tect, was hanging a painted screen
against the winding staircase. III
have to run over home and get my
screen with the woodbine," ne was
saying to the man who was assisting
him.
There was a burst of merry laughter
in the doorway.
80, Mr. Weston. what are you do
ing?" Amy exclaimed, running for
ward, Aunt Jane and aunt Hulda
surely can't act Romeo and Juliet"
Cant they? Wait till you see them
try it. You heard me say that 1 live
across the road didn't you?" he added,
smiling at the young people who had
followed Amy into the room. We'll, we
need both houses to circle around in
anyway"
With a girl on each arm John Weston
presently went down the snow-beaten
path and across the road to his own
home among the evergreens.
Il asked Amy who lived here the
other day." said one of the girls, land
she said: An old gentleman who spent
all his time with his books. I've been
so interested wondering what you were
like. What made you keep it secret
that you lived here?"
30, just for sport. I didn't really ex-
pect to be able to keep it all through
the month"
e'But this is such a beautiful home!"
There isn't d finer interior in the
country" said John Weston proudly.
do you live here all alone?
well, I'm over the way great deal,
and they are over here.
eOh. how a astic,' the other of the
girls exclaimed, as they entered the
hall. You've been abroad. Only people
who travel have houses that look like
this"
= have been in every country that
ever heard Of" John Weston replied,
smiling Now, just roam around and
make yourselves at home.
One. of the girls wandered away, but
the other sat down and fixed her bright
ewes on the erect old man before her.
well. what is it. my child p he
asked.
viii you think I am very rude if
ask you something's"
mo, indeed; you may ask me any
thing you please.
do you love both of them just the
same?"
John Weston's face flushed like a
boys: smiling. he shook his head.
lis that answer sufficient he asked.
.eBut how DO you know? They are
Just alike. None of US can tell them
apart"
They are no more alike than you
and l." he replied grayely.
4 suppose I shall know which it is if
I wait patiently" the girl said with
pert toss of her head.
aNever,' John Weston answered
quickly: "but if you live long enough
YOU may know what friendship is when
it is free from selfishness.
The guests gathered in the long draw
ing room that evening were prepared
for nothing more than amusing melo
drama What could Jane know OF Juli-
cts supreme surrender of love? How
could a little old lady Of 60 be other
wise than amusing as the ardent
young Montague?
The room was but family lighted
when frcm out the garden thicket young
! Romeo stepped. His first words held
his listeners pest allSHliOH. ne JSSeS
at scars who never felt wound.
If Jane and Hulda Wainwright had
employed their years in earnest efforts
to win the attention of an admiring
public they could not have succeeded
more completely than they had in pri-
vate study for their own pleasure and
| Improvement The old house rang with
applause as the scene came to an end.
This was the beginning of series OF
o-+o,-so inp,aD+c Surely month like
this had never been spent in the coun-
- ,,-,e ,a~faot Tho