Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-05-04

benches and bare white sanded floors
of his more simple minded neighbors
and had purchased from time to time
bright stuffS, works OF art and tufted
chairs and couches, so that his home
presented an air Of comfort and ele.
gance not to be found elsewhere on
that bleak mountain.
AS Margaret entered the only occu
pant of the room was an elderly won.
an, having the appearance Of being
more than common serving woman
who was spreading white cloth on a
table, idly humming a little tune as
Ehe did so.
"a good day, Elsbeth. Prithee, sing
ng" she exclaimed, with affected as.
tonishment. Then thou doth like thy
hew surroundings"
'An' thou, Margaret?"
"Ah, welladay, 1 cannot tell thee
yet" she answered, with a sigh. "But
L own TO great depression this morn
ing. Elsbeth, and feelings of strange
ness and loneliness lie heavy on my
heart"
She walked to the window and, rest
ing her arms on the deep sill, looked
out of doors discontentedly, uncon-
scious of the graceful appearance she
made in the French morning gown of
pink poplin that fitted loosely to her
rounded figure and fell in long folds
to the floor.
Hast had no misgivings, Elsbeth,
that a life of unusual dullness doth lie
before us?''
Where thou art, sweet Margaret,
am happy" the woman replied gently.
whether tits at thine aunt's at Paris,
where l sewed thy frocks and cared
for thee, or here in thine own home,
where thou art come to be the mis-
tress. Ever do l find my best con-
tentment at thy side. for. sweet, hast
thou not been mine 10 watch over since
thy mother fied?'
Margaret accustomed to the wom-
ans fondness, made no reply, but came
and took seat at the table In thought
full silence while Elsbeth busted her
self about her. pouring a cup of milk,
breaking eggs into saucer and plac-
hug the plate of hot bread within easy
reaching distance.
But for thee, sweet" she observed,
happen the Mayiand farm will prove
more quiet than thou'lt like
"And Cragenstonew exclaimed Mar
garet. what doleful people here abide,
How long and solemn their faces have
grown, and with what serious demean-
or they do stalk about! Why. Elsbeth,
one short walk with my good Cousln
Josiah near gave ME the megrims.
Prithee must we all the time be quot
Ing Scripture or thinking of our pray
ers?'
"Naught Is changed" the woman re-
piled. 'I' the five years of the different
life in Paris thou hast forgotten; that
is all. To my mind thine aunt received
us with the same cold smile she gave
us when we rode away"
Margaret shrugged her shoulders and
threw out her hand In u manner that
suggested the Frenchwoman. "How
gloomy they looked In the plain gray
clothes they wore as they stood around
the door, erect and solemn, to receive
me. But, withal, weary and nervous
With the Homecoming as was, my
quick eye failed not to see two things
admlring love on the bright face of
my sweet cousin Hetty Taunston and
stern disapproval OF my crimson riding
dress on the countenance OF her moth
er, Mayhap I shall prove too worldly
for their quiet tastes. Dost think so,
Elsbeth?"
The woman touched Margaret's sun
ny hair caressingly.
"Thou'rt so bonny, sweet, SO fair, so
good, that all must love thee who know
thee" she said. "And as thy ways are
good ways / wot thy neighbors and thy
kinsfolk must grow accustomed to
them"
Margaret rested her hand lightly on
old Elsbeth's shoulder. "And thou
lowest me and Godfrey" she said,
blushing softly. II care not for the 9th
ers. That much Is so much that It doth
suffice me-"
A light footstep was heard in the
hallway.
"Am come too soonT" Hetty
Taunston in black cotton frock, with
n white kerchlef folded neatly over
her bosom, entered the room.
"Methought mother would ne'er be
done finding chores for me to do" she
said poutingly. First there was the
linen to spread on the grass for bleach
Ing; then the ewers to be filed at the
brook. my lesson In embroidery and
the Bible teaching. And, OH" with n
sigh, 80 many other occupations did
occur TO mothers mind that ! grew
quite restless, for all the time yly
thoughts were over here with thee.
Margaret"
Poor, much abused Hettyw Mar
garet. arising from the table, pinched
her cousins cheek affectionately. And
so thou hast kept thy word TO come
early to see what came from Parisl
Prlthee, cousin, mayhap In some cor
ner OF those boxes lieth gift for
thee"
Hetty's eyes sparkled with pleased
anticipation.
"'Tls not II ribbon, Margaret7' abe
asked eagerly. "The thought occurred
10 me once to write an ask thee TO
bring me n pink one. Say it's a rib
bon, Margaret" she cntreated.
"Forsooth, it's better than paltry
pink ribbon, little Hetty. Come and
see. But Of many ribbons thou canst
have thy choice"
The room overhead was filed with
open boxes. Thrown over the big four
posted bed were gowns of gorgeous
colors, and strewn about were stuffs
and fabrics OF the latest weave from
the looms OF Paris - ribbons. satin
shoes, dainty linens and laces. At the
sight OF so much flnery Hetty's face
flushed. She drew her breath sharply
and, pausing just inside the doorway,
clasped her hands together in an &C.
stasy of admiration and delight.
"An' thou didst bring all this from
Paris, Margaret" she asked at last
"All from Paris, the fairest city In
the world. IIctty."
"oh, would go thorcr' the girl cried
earnestly. Doth every maid wear
clothes like yonder on the bedW
She approached and. slipping her
hand under n rutIic OF fine silk. raised
IL tcndcrly, almost reverently.
Nay not all, simple IIetty. But the
fashions there are excellent. and fine
dressing doth rule paramount My
good Aunt Jane was heedful that I
brought the latest patterns with me