The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-04-06
The Brown MerinO

ado you think it will look fit to be seen
after it is turned?" asked, holding up to
the light my old brown merino.
George Terry looked at it rather du-
biously, while l anxiousy waited her de-
cision.
"H'm-I don't know, Rose. l wish you
would take my black alpaca. The merino
will be good enough for me at home"
"Indecd, I'll do no such thing" l ex-
claimed Indignantly. Have all the pleas
ure of going away and take your dresses
in the bargain, leaving You to stay home
and wear my old clothes! l can't be quite
that selfish, George"
George laughed melodiously. She al
ways had such pleasant, ripping laugh
it sounded warm and sunny, just like
her own sweet temper.
"Now that's what call 'straining at
gnat,'" said George, with her ripe, red
lips trying to pout, but quivering with
smiles instead. But here comes mamma.
She shall settle that point"
Poor, dear mamma turned her head,
first to one impetuous daughter, then to
the other, signing gently all the while.
But to my great glee the decision was in
my favor.
81 wish you could have another new
dress, dear Rose" said mamma in her
kindest tones, but l don't see how we
can manage ii"
All this dispute may seem very trivial
to the unconcerned, but to us, the inter-
ested parties, it was of great Importance.
l was going on n journey-going to leave
my home and travel alone for the first
time in my life. We-that is, mamma,
George and Lived ON grandfather's
farm in New Hampshire.
Mamma had friend named Mrs.
Wharton, who had been living in Boston
for many years, and she had written to
mamma begging that one Of us might
pay her q long visit. Great was the de-
batting rs to which should accept the in
vitation.
George insisted that it was my prerog-
alive, as l was Mrs. Wharton's name
sake. l rather think our new minister
had something to do in making George
so persistently refuse to go, for good and
kind us George was she had never been
quite SO active until young Mr.. Partridge
beamed upon us with his bright, black
eyes. However, it won't do to tell her
secrets without special permission.
Mamma had given me new gray
gown for Sundays and visitings. l had
also a white one for evenings in case
should so to any parties. These, with
my two morning wrappers. were consid-
cred very good outfit.
George had generously insisted on my
taking her new black alpaca, her one best
dress, and leave my brown merino, my
last winters garment for her to wear
on Sundays. But George was the soul
of generosity and would bcggur herself to
| do any one kindness.
After much twisting and turning and
discussions as to trimmings my wardrobe
was considered finished and presentable,
| and l embarked on my journey. The
ride was one of long delight, for my pas
| sionate love of travelling had hitherto
been very little gratitied
As l stood in the railroad station at my
| journeys end, looking hclplessly about
me, tall gentleman with n handsome
brown muStachc approached and, bowling
| with easy and polished grace, said in an
inQuiring tone:
Miss Rose, presumeW
] bowed in response, inwardly wonder
| ing if polite society required gentlemen to
| address ladies AZ first acquaintance by
| their Christian names.
"My aunt. Mrs. Wharton, has been I'LL.
expectedly called away from home for n
| few hours and has given me the honor
| and pleasure of escorting you to her
| house." he remarked.
My second reply was another bow.
Again was wondering who this nephew
was. The gentleman looked at me Curl
| ously. Evidently he was beginning to
think me dumb so found voice to say:
"How is Mrs. Wharton"
every we'll indeed, thank you, and
| looking eagerly for your arrival"
After we were seated in the carriage,
| which was far handsomer than my coun-
| try experience had thought possible, the
| gentleman proceeded in his efforts for
| my entertainment.
do you wonder how / knew you, Miss
| Rose?' he asked.
Every much" replied-not, however,
without Qualms of conscience, as / had
| really not given it Il thought.
Il recognized you by your Dress" no
| triumphantly responded.
looked down at my brown merino, the
| subject at home of SO much disputing,
| and felt an inward terror Was the man
| q medium. c!airvoyant? Had he in
| spirit heard my conversation with Geor-
gle?
"Iy dress?" gasped.
Eyes, your dress. My aunt informed
| me that your travelling suit was brown"
ooh" I family calculated, inwardly
| thinking how very strange in mamma to
write to Mrs. Wharton concerning the
dress and feeling considerably vexed
! about it-so much so that the gentleman,
| judging from my flushed checks that the
subject was unpleasant. pursued 1t no
further, TO my great relief.
Presently the carriage stopped before a
| large and handsome dwelling, and al
| though ! knew that Mrs. Wharton WAS
In possession Of Il very comfortable in
come 1 was not prepared for the elegance
/ encountered.
My poor brown merino looked sadly
| out of place beside the rich crimson fur
| niture and splendid mirrors, and had not
Mrs. Wharton's nephew made strenuous
| efforts for my entertainment | should
have subsidized into that most forlorn and
dreary observation-disclosures.
"My aunt begged that we should dine
at the usual hour" said the gentleman
after had Invested myself of my wraps,
"as she was afraid she would not be able
to return before 8 or 8 o'clock. The
friend she has gone to see is very ill-in
fact dying-and Aunt Lizzie will proba-
bly, stay until all is over"
"Aunt Lizzic?" / thought. HAS she
discarded the name of Rose?"
l remembered, however, that her ini-
tials were X. L. w.
The dinner was charming. My appetite
was good. never had dyspepsia in MY
life, and l ate the luxuriant food, so
daintily prepared, with an enjoyment that
must have been quite amusing to my
companion.
About an hour after we had sat down,
while we were lcisurely partaking of our
dessert and discussing the rights Of wo-
men, the butler handed note to my Wis
avis. After asking me to excuse him he
opened and read.
The look of surprise and CONSERVATION
in his face was simply appalling.
''IIas anything happened to your
aunt?" l timidly inquired, feeling uncom-
Portable under the scrutiniZing gaze of
his dark gray eyes.
"No, no-that is, nothing of Importance
but do not think she will be back to-
night. But, Miss Rose-your name is
Miss Rose, is it not!"
| put down the orange ! was peelipg
and looked the amazement I felt.
My name is Miss Rose Terry" ! re-
piled, with as much dignity as could as