Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-04-19
at home, and meet Fred's jovial face at the

at home, and meet Fred's jovial face at the
cheerful tea.table.
Then came the old routine of hunting
and fishing for few days moro, till. at last
the people of Ardley concluded to get ny
a picnic at Long Pond. Everybody was to
be there, old and young; and the Tsylors
entered heartily into preparations for the
occasion by providing an untold amount
of eatablss, both dainties and substantials.
The eveutful day arrived. and after spends
ing a wearisome morning in helping Fred
to build tables in the grove where the sup
per was to be spread, Weston sought his
room for a bath and nap before the family
should be ready to set out. Half doing
on the lounge, he became suddenly consci-
Gus of Lucy's voice coming up again from
cousin Barbara's room. He started up in
nervous dread, with the mental exclama-
ton.
Why on earth can't she keep away
from here on this day?' But there was
nothing at all terrifying it, Lucy's gentle
tones.
Cousin Carbara, please put pin in my
collar for me, and another in my sash be-
hind ~'ssse'
Weston subsided but unmerciful cousin
Barbara-there seemed to be no eyadinc
her argus eyes.
OF all things, Lucy Taylor, haven't you
finished this dress yet?-and worn it 81
many times. Here's the skirt only pinned
and basted on and, as true as l live, NO
cording on the neck =
Well, said Lrcy, not one bit disturbed
'who Will be the wiser for what is under
my collar? and you shall see how nicely
my sas h covers my skirt. There, now
don't lock as neat as a pin?'
Cousin Barbara muttered something
about 'lchite sepulcherS, > that Weston did
not stop to hear, for he seized his hat and
rushed franticaly into Fred's room, aston.
ishing that worthy into an impOlite excla
| nation.
1t is so hot in my room,' said Weston
alphabetically.
IN warrant cousin Barbara has got up g
fire. said Fred, laughing. i don't believe
| that woman was ever warm in his life
| She ought to live 10 the torrid zone, wher.
ever that is
Every one said it was delightful PICNIC
and that Lucy Taylor mover looked prettiel
! in her life than she did in her dress of ,!e!
Icate blue, and the few white flowers il
her hair. Weston looked admiringly upon
| her, but he walked and danced with her in
secret terror, lest, by some unlucky step
he might bring to light the secrets conceal
! ed by the sash about her slender waist
and ne found himself glancing nervously
at her ctllar, lest it might BY some chance
! become uufastened.
What if she we're my wife, he said tc
himself; she would keep me in continue
marytyldom'
The next day Weston astonished the
! Taylors by announcing the necessity q
his immediate return to the city, as hi.
! presence was needed at the bank. Fred
demonstrated vigorously; the Squire 20.
l!ttly urged his further hosuitalities, and
Lucy was secretly disappointed; but, il
! IN spite Of all, the pcrtmanteau was pack
! ed, and the numbering hack directed t
cal in season for the evening train.
4 dare not trust myself another day,
said Weston, mentally; 'for should for
get everything, and make myself and Lucy
miserable for life'
| So Henry Weston came no more to Ard.
! ley, and the village gossips looked in vair
| for tokens OF an approaching wedding a
Squire Taylor's. After a while they set
tied down 10 the conviction that the prom.
iced match was really given up but tht
wisest of them could not conjectur VIII,
Lucy Taylor lost her lorer.