The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-03-04
HaAHI II He.
BY ESTHER SERIE KENNETH.

Harrie Harrie!' y
1t was a chid's voice which called and
womans silvery voice which answered.
nolfe Summers. not yet risen. lay and listen
ed, as the April breeze brought the words OF
both into his chamber.
MAY go sketching with YOU this morn
ing"
NO; not this morning: ii is too damp
Steps went down the gravel walk. the gate
shut and this was the first hint which Kolte
Summers bad of liarre 81. Johns existence.
He was Traveller from abroad. and the
soiOurIier of a week. at that country tavern,
of the sign Of =. The Elm and OaE." He
had ridden hard the day before, and was
tired. That Is why he did not rise early that
fresh spring oruing. But lie did not fall
asleep again. after the sound Of those voices.
He Law looking around him-a; the low spa
cious, airy room. It's heavy mahogany turu!-
ture, posted bcds:e;ld. and white draperv- at
the elm bough> waving before the window
at the green spring hilIs. and white church
steeple beyouG-and the sunshiuy sky: He
wondered if he might not as well stay there
for = month or two-the place seemed so
comfortable.
He arose after . while, and wen; down to
breakfast Ills hostess was good natured
and earruIoEs.
Il hcpc you slept well last night. sir: you
is pretty good. VIII YOU stay tomorrow
night sir ??
..Yos, intend to stay FOR a week, perhaps
longer"
pretty large now, but ! thiuk you'll find most
Of EN- agreeable people. Miss St Jo-.ns-did
YOU notice her
Il don't know said Summers, drinking
his coffee.
a very nice Young lady, sir. though uu-
fortunate; tEcn there's the Browns a..d Wait
Milcr's family. if vru fond OF company.
men folks YOU kuoev-there's SIX OF tie Nil
.le- BOYS
Summers BEGAN 10 hasten Ii, breakfast.
annoyed By the garrulousnes, pcc-l,;.r to
couutr. iuu-.,ecpers who EXPECT that their
new hoardcr l. rich and viii pay handsomely
Tor his accommodations.
The country about here Is healthy the
good woman went on, "aud aIrecs wonder
fully with some folks. There's Miss 81. Johua
now shes not the same -ri that she WIS
when she came here. YOu didrt notice her?
well. she'll sit next YOU at table. Here
her little brother now. Charlie. come here"
Wondering greatly at the stupidity of pco-
pie who suppose that their local a;Iai.s can
Dc anv way Interesting t" = stranger, Sum
lncrs wa about To- rise from III, table. when
MS alL'EtlDH HS.N al E!' | I iN me tItllb
who entered. hoy 0 x. ruIdy IN
handsome that lie InvolunrariIy smiled
npproving.v.
=. | wish iIarrir'd come sad the Jor.
"And who may Harrie be. M man: = ask
ed Summers, tancyinS to get acquainted with
the child.
NY sister. replied the H;,!c fellow
proudly.
Miss Harriet St. Johns, si-, struck in
Mrs. Farmer.
Summers turart upon his heel, and went
out OF the room
The front door was omen and the morning
sunshine streamcd into the hall. Across ;he
road green meadows stretched. and there was
blue lake beyond. He took his hat and
strolled out.
1t was :. lovely April morning. BY the
green roadside the d.udelionS bIossomed. a
brook ran gurgIing through the grasses, the
wrens and bIue tit-micc tiuttcrtd by. and the
trees rustled their foliage. Summers lcapt q
stone wall, and went through the meadows.
When in view Of the lake. lie saw upon its
banks. figure sitting upon u stone-a Young
girl with :. da:h dress and little straw hat
hanging bv It's cherry ribbons from her neck
Not wishing to iutruic upon her solitude, he
stopped.
She sat quite still. her head bent down,
black braids He coall catch an occasional
glimpse Of . very sweet profile with crimson
lips.
He watched her until he grew curou, TO
know what she was doing: then ascending 4
knoll, he looked over her shoulder to her
knee whore = portfolio nv. she va, sketch !
Ing. The thought flashed over HIM tia: she
was IIarre II. johns. for without noticing
her particularly. he hal seen her the evening
More interested than ever. he advanced slow ,
" toward her She looked up. recognizing
him. bowed slightly, and went on with her
sketching. lie returned to speak 10 her.
"iou are sketching the lake.
"only part of It. and the fen full of cow
slips" she answered.
Il see. You Will make nice sketch.
She doing her work nicely. lie saw
that at n glance. The slender fingers which
held the pencil were white as milk. He
obserTed and was attracted by her quiet sell:
possession.
Watching her he said Suddenly:
!. VIII vcu excuse me If venture to sug-
ge>t that yuu groupe yon rock and clumps Of
The looked from her paper to the scene,
and ttcH sIij
lyon are right. Thark YOU and made
the correction.
Still observing her. Summers said F.:
''You Ike TO DO that?''
She smiled beautifully.
f.YeS
They chatted through half an hour.
When she arose from the rock and Dire -
her hat from her neck, Summers observed
that one OF her shoulders WAS slightly dcfnrrp
ed. Il w.S pity. he thought, when she had
so sweet a face.
Ia the hall OF the inn he said
"If conclude to stay here and unpack NV
trunks, vi show you the sketches we were
speaking Of, Tomorrow.
She bowed and put her arm around her
little brother who clung about her waist.
Summers found Mrs Farmers bed com
for.able ior another nights rest, and concu-
del u stay. He came down into the parlor
with portfolio The next morning. He show.
cd Harrc ST. Johns his pictures
They were different from any ANYTHING she
had ever seen befnre-a xciec upon foreign
water5- the Sphyx as uncovered. .by the French,
Mount Tawrons, etc. He told her about
them all
Ion have seen all these thirgs," she said
looking at him thoughtfully.
Yes. wiz? -
hay, you must have great deal to think
about
Il don't. answered Summers. az am in
terrible straits for something to think about.
sometimes.
That seems impossible 70 me-. WIZ, I