The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-02-16

see such a strange creature? She is
half crazy with delight for being with
us once more" thought Mr.. Austin.
Belle came down to supper, looking
charming in a rose-colored silk that
swept the carpet for two yards behind
her.
During the meal Belle chatted away
about New York people, and New York
fashions, until Mr.. Austin, who was
somewhat of a dourmand and enjoyed
nothing so we'll as a quiet meal, was
unable to swallow a mouthful.
"Oh, by the way, Clara, are you and
Fanny Ives as good as ever?"
"Oh, yes; Fanny comes here very
often I've no doubt you'll see her to-
morrow"
Rather a nice girl, isn't she. Mr.
Austin? She is the fairest blonde I've
ever known. l never cared for blondes,
though. Now, you mustn't think I'm
Jealous of their pink and white faces,
for I'm not. but 1 do like to see some
life about a person, and they are such
half-dead-and-aliv creatures-milk-
and-water to their finger tips. Now,
Clara 1 think girl of your complexion
ought to be of a very lively disposition;
| in fact, I've never saw girl with brown
| hair and blue eyes so demure as you"
"Ahem!" said Mr.. Austin: II think
Fanny Ives is a quiet, gentle girl, whose
example any young lady would do well
| to follow"
Clara glanced across the table at AL
| fred who had his napkin to his mouth
to conceal smile.
| "Well, what are we going to do to-
morrow" asked Belle, without taking
any notice of Mr.. Austin's remark.
| "You know what bore a quiet
country place is to girl like me, so
please make out your program ac-
cordingly."
I'm afraid that visit to Europe did
Belle a good deal of HARM" said Mr..
Austin to himself that night as he sat
alone in his own chamber
Next day came and with it Fanny
Ives.
After dinner Mr.. Austin. Clara and
Fannie were sitting in the paror, when
Belle entered. dressed for a drive.
"Is Alfred here? Oh, dear! 1 hurried
so, I was afraid he would be waiting
for me. Alfred is going to take me
for a drive, Papa Austin; he wants tC
show me all the improvements that
have been made here since my last
, visit. l suppose they are precious few
though; you are dreadfully slow here
, in the conutry.
UGH! exclaimed Belle, glancing out
Of the window as Alfred drove up tC
the gate.
What is it, BELIEF" asked Clara, ris
I ing and crossing over to the window
followed by Fanny.
"Ugh" repeated Belle; did anyone
r ever see such team? Why Papt
Austin, those are the same old detesta
t BILE nags that you have had ever sine
I ! l can remember"
8 Now, if there was one thing in thi
- world that raised Mr.. Austin's "dander
n quicker than another it was to speal
: deprecatingly of that team, and h
said in a sharp voice:
n "What did you remark about m
: horses, miss"
s ooh. nothing of any consequences,
+ said Belle, carelessly, as Alfred en-
tered.
r, clara, you must bring Fanny dow
: to the city the first time you come, an
Is I will drive you both out, four-in- -hanC
h You never saw me drive four-in-hanC
l. did you, Papa Austin""
l. mo, miss; it is something I would NJ
le care about seeing any young lady dc
= ing" said Mr.. Austin, severely.
10 h,what an antideluvian idea, to
,e sure! But those nags out there, can
,e help looking at them. / wonder Whf
1t any of my fashionable friends wouI
az say, Alfred, to see me driving benin
such a team. Now, I'll tell you whi
w it Is, Papa Austin, without joking.
10 you don't sell those horses you'll loi
st on them"
Clara and Fanny could not suppress
,d litter. Alfred tried to keep from laugl
rs ing, gIancing over at his father, he sa
es indications of a storm and he said
e Belle, tenderly, come, Belle, my loy
ed or we won't get over half the groui
today"
AS soon as Belle and Alfred disa
II? peared, Mr.. Austin, who was choki
ge with rage, rushed from the room a
Ir. out into the open air.
me- my horses are old nags! What
outrageous girl, to be sure. No wono
?" her father wants to get rid of her; b
he wont put her over on me. No, S
nd Those who don't like my horses, do
as like me. And Alfred. what a fool
to is making of himself; 1 believe he
,ly in love with the girl already; and OF
lat last week he was raving about Fam
rk But it's Just like the men nowada
ter such a. depraved taste. Well, it's
us my own doings; I've got myself il
ir. pretty mess and how under heaven {
M l going to get out of it?' and \
Austin walked up and down the gard
he: path like mad man.
ed A week passed away and Mr. Aus
hoped against hope; but no change
ice the better came over Belle.
a Friday morning of the second we
nd came.
ito Where are you going today Alfred
as asked Belle when they had all assem-
his ed at breakfast.
I'm going fishing, my dear"
zen Fishing? oh, may Clara, Fan
in, and / go along?"
"Yes, If you can get ready within
,cg hour"
do "Of course we can. Clara a
,IrA he Oh nd