Page:Orange Grove.djvu/128

 her mind, too many unanswered questionings arose from the depths of her soul, for the wearied mental powers to throw off and play the agreeable. Milly sat at another window busily engaged in hemstitching a ruffle, sometimes looking out upon the dreary, angry aspect of the water in the distance as a gust of wind howled by, and occasionally stealing a glance at Amelia, as if desirous to enter into conversation if she only knew what to say. There were many points of resemblance between the two, which unfortunately, combined the qualities in each most unfavorable for an intimate acquaintance.

Kate made one of her unceremonious calls, bantering Milly about her ruffle which she "was very sure meant somethin' out of the common course, or she would not be doin' such finery work instead of writin' her novel," sending a blush to Milly's cheeks, and almost bringing a smile to Amelia's motionless lips on witnessing her confusion.

Suddenly recollecting that her presence had been requested in Mrs. Claremont's room she immediately withdrew, without waiting for a word of reply, and thus continued her remarks to Rosalind and her mother as she passed through the open door near which the former was seated.

"There's a chance for you to get a little diversion by goin' into the other room and lookin' at the two spinsters if they was only a little older, sittin' up there as straight as a broomstick at each winder, and I don't think they've spoke the whole afternoon. I started 'em up a little, and it would have done you good to see Amelia brighten up as she did for a