The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-06-09
Seleft Storg.
NANNYS IDOL,
WAS IT GOLD OR CLAY ?

"Well, Nanny, you must do as you like.
1t isn't for me to say you shall or you
shan MT. You are old enough to judge for
yourself. But it is the wish of my heart
for you to be happy, SO | must warn sou
if I fear danger .
Nanny laid her soft cheek caressingly
against her mothers face as she said :
''But, mother, you have no prejudice
against Ned for anything personal. It's
only because he belongs to higher station
than ours. IF you knew aught against his
character I d feel different about it.
"That is the very best of reasons for a
mother who has her child's happiness at
stake A man may take fancy for a
pair of bright eyes, and pretty face, and
be very earnest and sincere at the time he
is in love; but it seems to me that after a
while he II be missing the little refnements
he has been accustomed to seeing in his
mother and sisters.
'-Oh, mother, said Nanny, reproach-
fully, "don't you think I, too, can have
ladylike ways as well as Ned relatives p
'sI can't exactly put my meaning into
words, child, but try. I've seen more
of quality folks then you have, for my
childhood was spent in the neighborhood
of Leigh Terrace, and it was the delight
of my life to stand at the gate of our little
garden and watch for the fine ladies and
gentlemen who used to ride past. They
are all as airy-the ladies, l mean-as
gayly painted butterflies. They talk as
much with gestures and with glauces as
others do with their tongues. Even fan
has a grace all its own in one of their del
icate hands,
ssNow can understand better what Ned
has told me over and over again, inter-
rupted the girl, frightening suddenly.
''Only last evening he said to me, as we
stood at the open window, watching the
stars come out one by one in the sky
Nanny, do you see that particular star up
there p and he pointed toward one that
shone like spot of fire right alongside of
the moon. We'll, darling, that is just
like you. It isn't the same with the rest
Of those eapricious, coquettish little spark
lers They are one thing one minute and
another the next didn't quite know
what he meant, and was ashamed to show
my stupidity by asking him. But I do
now 1t is the absence of airs and graces
that Ned meant. am just what | ap-
pear to be. There is nothing deceiving
about me. If my cheeks are red it is be-
cause my blood, if not the blue tide which
runs in the veins of the high born ladies
of which you spoke, is pure, healthy
current. / do not have smiles for all
alike; and Ned knows that my eyes grow
bright with honest joy at the sight of his
dear face. -
81 give it up, Nanny said the per-
picked mother, with sigh. "You are
just like your father. He was good
scholar, and his tongue was always ready
with an answer. To hear you talk one is
almost convinced against her better judg-
ment.
eThen be convinced, " said Nanny, tri-
umphantly, throwing her arms about her
mothers neck and kissing her. "And
don't say another word against our mar
riage.
'sWell, child, | won't say it, even if l
think it. I'll keep silence, and try to
wear a cheerful face if | have to put it on
4sThanks, said Nanny, brightly. "Now
I'll send in my resignation at once, so that
the trustees can be on the lookout for a
teacher to fll my place.
You know Ned wants to secure that cum
ming little cottage where the colonels
widow used to live. He can hire it with
the furniture, and we can go right to house,
keeping.
s'Well, l hope it won't be marrying in
haste to repent at leisure. .