The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-20


Laura did not admit it to herself, but the other
girls knew that her good times" meant occasions
in which jack Towslcy present
Laura Van Ness had always had beauX, but Jack
different She would have told you he was
lawfully nice and kind" but that all. What
made Jack SO Fascinating to the girls was that
OF them felt of him. Yet Of late they "n
admitted that he paid Laura more attention than he
did any else.
He came from the East, and was said to be Of fine
family. He tall and slender and very straight.
anti had what the girls called 'arst0cratic nose.
and was altogether desirable
There being a general impression that he rrided
himself en- his ancestry, Laura had furdvely coz
suited geneology in the city library and
had found to her delight that Van Ness old
and honorable name. and that in the old country her
ancestors had been people Of rank and Importance.
Laura had told herself that she liked Jack ToNs-
ley because she afraid of him. just little just
enough to be interesting. Her father had a hard
store and Jack lawyer the son of
judge. and though he said so. she
he despised trade 1t a pleasure, therefore,
tell him of her recent discoveries. and Of her dis
tinguished Dutch ancestry.
He colored a little and was rather quiet she
painted in glowing cOOrs the glory of the Van Nesses
Of medieval days. You value these things very
much Miss Van Ness?" he asked.
81 don't know. 1 do care for honest blood but
1 think that is about all Perhaps if 1 had your
ancestors to be proud of it might be different"
He smiled slightly. and Laura blushed and feared
she had said too much, and admired him all the
more for his modesty.
Like most patriotic Americans the young people
of Laura's set given to celebrating the Fourth
of July by getting far possible from the SOUND
of the cannon and firecrackerS and even the occu-
Si0nal reading Of the Declaration of Independence
which belong properly to the traditional observance
Of the day. They to have d picnic as usuar
this year, and Laura said, it was really too bad
that Elmra should arrive Oh the I'd for a months
visit Mr.. Van Ness had been guilty of extending
an injudciOusy elastic invitation to his sisters only
daughter. and this was the result
Laura could not even say respectfully, ''Oh papa
how could your which would have been a relief 70
her mind, for sisters daughter is rather a near
relative and she wouldn't have hurt papas feelings
for the world.
She hadn't seen Elmira for some years but there
was painful photograph of her, that Aunt Emily
had sent framed, hanging on the wall of the family
sitting room
What troubled Laura most was the marked
family likeness between her and her cousin. only IN
Elmlra Laura's defects exaggerated almost
carlcatured, and whereas Laura distinctly
pretty Elmra distinctly plain She was five
years Older than Laura and five inches taller
On the evening of the fst of July Jack Towsiey
called. MY cousin Elmira is coming tomorrow"
said Laura abruptly.
THAT is NICE he replied innocentIy "Sba VIII
be here just in time for the picnic"
Yes" said Laura, with so little animation that
Jack looked at her questioningly. 81 suppose she
will go to the picnic? he asked
"Oh. yes suppose She-she is a few years
older than 1, and she lives in very small town and
don't think she Dances" said Laura hesitatingy
ooh, we'll then, a picnic is just the thing" said
Jack cheerfuly. at viii give her chance to meet
everybody. Is she going to stay some timer"
Yes about month. [ believe"
"1'hat will be pleasant for you. 1t must be very
lonely for q girl not to have any sister"
How kind Jack is.' thought Laura; ''but he
hasn't seen Elnlira. If enly some Of our nice look
lnS' agreeable relations were coming. AS l remesn-
Der poor Ellnra she wasn't bit interesting and her
grammar wasn't always above suspicion either"
The next day Elnlira came, and Iaura's worst
fears were realized. The family had evidently ex-
erted themselves to make Elmira "presantable"
She would have appeared better in her ordinary
clothes The profusion of cheap lace and Gibbons Of
uncomproLising hues was worse even than Iaura
had anticipated and her best hat looking like had
ly arranged iIlkept flower garden almost drew from
LauTs's lips an exclamation of dismay
Ellnira, mistaking her expression for one of sur
prised admiration, smiled complacently as she ex-
planned
It's gay, amt it? But we've got real swell
milliner in WoOdbne now. She goes to Centervlie
every spring and fall to get the fashions"
That's very nice" said Laura feebly 'but we
girls sailor hats so much of the time you can
this one"
Il don't want to-" said Elmira. MA said if I
ever wanted good clothes I'd want 'em now We
live kind of quiet at home"
A feeling of pity for the tall awkward girl near
ly thirty who had known nothing outside the limits
of one small country town. and who evidently regard
ed this as the opportunity Of lifetime surprised
Laura into laying her hand her cousins arm and
lifting her face for kiss which Elmira gave sllyfy
Dear Elmira" said She kindly, 81 do hope youn
have good time and I'm glad you've in t1nie
for Fourth of July picnic"
I'm glad, too; always like picncs, and amt
much of a hand for and the like that" said
Elmra simply.
When the morning of the Fourth came Laura IN
duck skirt shirtwaist and sailor hat explained "a
Elmira that that the way all of the girls would
dress, but in vain. ''Of course that's all right for
you." said Elmira knowingly, but I'm little older
and besides, I'm stranger You're real kind, Laura
I ain't 10 make ashamed of ma 10