The west shore., June 01, 1888, Page 297, Image 7

THE WEST SHORE.
207
Just then the front door opened and some one was
heard to step inside. Instantly the voices in the par
lor ceased, and Amy went to the door, where she foand
Frank.
" Won't you come in, Mr. Von Brean? " said she,
opening the parlor door.
After the introduction, Frank, in his easy way,
said: "This is, indeed, an honor and a pleasure not
anticipated by me. I hope, Miss Harrington, I am
not intruding."
" Not in the least," she replied.
" We were just speaking about yon," said Clara.
" May I inquire in what way I provoked your con.
versation?"
" Certainly; we were upbraiding Miss Harrington
for keeping you so close a prisoner."
" One would willingly remain a prisoner to so fair
a jailor," replied Frank.
" Mr. Von Brean is inclined to deal in flattery, I
fear," said Amy, slightly coloring.
" You must find it hard to amuse yourself in this
quiet town," said Miss Foindextcr.
" For my part," said the perverse Clara, " I think
the country horrid. Nothing but trees and hills to
look at, and the crazy old farm wagons, loaded with
hay, while the driver sits perched on top, looking as
though he would fall of! at any minute, frighten one
half out of their senses. Give me the city, with its
beautiful parks, fountains, statuary, fine buildings
and fine streets. And the theatre ob, it must bo
grand!"
" I admit all Miss Vaughn says regarding the city,
but she forgets that the beautiful parks and grand
buildings which we meet with in the city become very
dull, and the sight of them monotonous, when wo be
hold them day after day; and we soon become so we
can almost tell the number of bricks in each building,
and involuntarily fall to counting the windows in tho
houses as we pass by. The parks, too, fall into insig
nificance, compared with the grand old forests, whero
one can wander, undisturbed, away from tho eyes of
the world and the buzzing voices of the people, which
you can not escape in the city."
" There are many things to admire in the city,"
said Amy, " and many advantages to bo gained over
the country, and I enjoy a visit there; but I agree
with Mr. Von Brean, that the city, with its beautiful
parks and buildings, does not compare with the gran
dcur of our native forests. I am always glad to leave
the busy, restless, ever-noisy city for my country
home."
The young ladies soon took their leave, and as
Clara started, she said: " Bemember the mating to
night, Amy."
" Miss Vaughn is quite vivacious, and rather pret
ty," said Frank, after tho girls had gone,
" Yes," replied Amy, " Clara is very pretty, and
good company. She sometimes speaks without think
ing, but will overcomo that fault with a few more
years. The troublo is, sho has been spoiled by her
father, who is ono of our prosperous merchants, and
Clara is the only child."
Tea was announced, and when Frank and Amy
went into tko dining room they found Mrs. Harring
ton awaiting them.
"I hope," said sho to Frank, "your walk this
afternoon has given you a good appetite,"
" While I enjoy a run through tho woods very
much, it is not at all essential to tho enjoyment of
your table,"
" I suppose you take to tho woods in self defense,
now that Amy is so much occupied with her work. I
fear sho is very ioor company."
" Not at all. I find much to enjoy in tho forests,
and I am euro I do not wish to trespass on Mi a Har
rington's time, whilo thero is so much outside to in
terest me,"
" Mamma, Mr. Von Brean is thinking of leaving
us, and I have been trying to provail upon him to re
main with us through tho winter."
" I hopo Mr. Von Brean has not tiro! of us so
soon."
" By no means," said Frank.
" We should bo pleased," continued Mrs. Har
rington, " to havo you eitend your visit much longer.
Mr. Harrington bojed you might find it agreeable to
stay with us through tho winter "
" If I can, in any way, bo of swico to you ladies,
I should be only too happy."
" Wo will try and find enough for you to do to
keep you out of mischief ," said Amy. " Oh! sinco I
think of it, our society is in need of a shipping ch rk,
and if you will accept tho jxaition, I can securo it for
you."
By all means. But stay-first define tho duties
of tho office, that I may know whether I will bo bl
to perform them."
M As to that, I think you nwl baro no fear. Tho
duties will not bo very arduous, comUting chiefly of
tho shipping of our stores as we gt them ready for
tho Sanitary Commission."
M With a little induction from you, I may I abl
to do that in at least a pambl manner."
" Oh, I think so. Them is going to U a mating
hero to-night, to transact Important busings, uA I
will bring the rnatWr of your appointment to tho no
tice of tho weraUri, and 1 cUbt not they will dcid
to seuro your sen ice."
" Then I way consider my If already etnH?"