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PETERSON’S MAGAZINE.

Vol. XLI. THREE

RAINY DAYS.

BY EMILY J. MACKINTOSH.

NETTIE HOLMES sat by the window looking

& week, when Miss Calvert's brother came here

out upon the pattering rain, which fell with a to

fish (you remember he called on us), he came

steady, quiet determination, as if resolved to in the car with a gentleman who was pointed , the pubgive the sun no sort of opening for even a peep out to him at the depot by Mr. A out. The dark brown curls which swept over the lisher, as ' Ion, author of Seaweeds. ' Mr. Calwindow-sill showed, here and there, a glimpse vert saw him get out here, and take a room in of the little white hand nestling in their tangled the Blue-Bell for this week, and then go on. masses ; and the soft hazel eyes did look up So we, the committee for the pic-nic, wrote a sometimes from the wet garden walks to seek note inviting him to join us to - day ; and yesterfor a glimpse of sunshine. There was a sorry, day we received an answer, signed Ion, accepting disappointed expression on the child-like face ; the invitation. He only took rooms for a week, but no ill-temper, not the faintest tinge lingered the landlord said when Mr. Calvert left the note, says he is round the sweet rose-bud of a mouth, and not and gave no name, and Mr. Aa frown disfigured the broad, smooth forehead ; going to Canada in the fall. " "So your pic-nic will probably miss its lion. only the sadness, almost tearful in her eyes, and the drooping, listless attitude, told that the Never mind ! Perhaps there will be some other wild beast in the village next week. There's rain was interrupting some cherished scheme. "Why, Nettie !" said her aunt, coming in with the breakfast- bell. You must hurry," and away the quick, light step peculiar to active little went Mrs. Holmes to pour out the family coffee ; women, "what are you looking so lugubrious while Nettie made a hasty toilet, and came in about ? Not dressed ! You will catch cold in that late enough to receive a laughing lecture from thin wrapper, and with bare feet too. Breakfast her uncle upon the advantages of early rising. She had left all her disappointment up stairs ; will be ready in a few minutes. What's the matter ?" and ifthere were clouds without, there was sun"It is the seventeenth of July !" said Nettie, shine in the dining-room when her bright face came in. dolefully enough. "So it is ! I had forgotten all about it. How "A rainy day, Nettie ! and you promised to it rains too ! No pic-nic to-day. Well, well, paint the sails of my wind- mill on the very first there are plenty more summer days left, and you wet morning," was her little cousin George's are not to go home for two or three months." greeting. "But, auntie, no day can be like to- day for "And my doll's Bloomer hat, you promised our pic-nic, because Ion will go to Canada in that too, Nettie, " said Laura. the fall, and he accepted the invitation for to"

day."

"Ion! Who is Ion ?"

"Oh, I forgot ! I did not tell you about it.

Don't you know that dear, charming book, ' Sea- "

weeds,' that interested us so much?" "The best book I have read for years." "Well, the author only signed himself Ion, and nobody knows the rest of his name. Last

I shall be at home today," said her cousin Harry, so we can practice that furious passage in our duett. The one we always get too slow."

"Time enough for all, " said Nettie, brightly. A rainy day does not seem likely to be an idle one, auntie." "You let the children pester your life out," said her uncle, laughing.

"Including me?" said Harry.

207 VOL. XLI.-13