The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-12-29

ihdoO cNcli olC ulu5y Olu OihSS 'OVh
bright.
But Sam Dodridge didn't know what
to think of him, Ee seemed so happy
all day long; and when he questioned
him his only reply was" 'Tis all right,
my boy. just wait awhile"
"Of course it's all right, Dick. 1 know
there's nothing wrong but what makes
you SO happy?" asked Sam.
"Why, don't you know?" putting on
a very serious look.
ono"
"Well, then, you can tell no one,"
and Dick laughed and went back to his
ledger; but Sam didn't ask any more
questions.
SO Wednesday afternoon came, and a
splendid horse with top carriage to
match, and Dick Vernon inside, ratified
over the level road toward Sawny's
Pond.
John, with Mary and Katie, had gone
on before but while John was fastening
his horse to the stump of a tree near the
lake, and the ladies were sitting in the
boat by the shore, Dick drove up, in Il
cloud of dust, with his horse all ilccked
with foam, and breathing very hard as
if the grass had not chance to grow
under his feet.
"Well, John, you didn't get much
the start of me-" said Dick, jumping
out of the carriage and proceeding to
fasten his horse; after which they walk
ed down to the boat where the ladies
were and Mary introduced Dick to Miss
Weaver; and there was conscious
blush on Katie'S face when she gave
him her hand, and he thought she re-
| membercd seeing him in the horse-car,
trying to flatter himself that she did.
But whether she remembered him or
not / do not know, and she didn't tell,
though she made herself very agreeable
to Dick, and he did everything in his
| power to please her, and they became
. excellent friends in very short space
I Of time. And they rowed all around
the lake and filled the boat with lilies,
anc. Katie sat down and made wreath
@ of them when they got ashore, and put
4 it on Dicks head; but he thought it
t would be more becoming to her, and SO
crowning her with the lilies, he whisper.
d ed, MY queen!n and looked so very
|, much as if he meant it that Katie blush.
ed, she didn't know why, but / think
she was trying to fancy how Mr.. Steven
n son, that old man that her father want
J. ed her to marry, would look, on hi'
knees before her, crowning her will
" lilies, and whispering My queenw
n But Dick wasn't thinking of rival
n then; and when John SAID that II wa
'G time to start for home, Dick stood up
ii and looked down at Katie sitting there
ID on the grass, and asked her if she ddn'
* think it would be more comfortable t.
y ride home with him than to 90 will
i'll John and crowd them into one carriage
| /; and she said she thought it would
vi though Of course she didn't think any
DC thing about the pleasure of Dicks sOci
gh city any more than he did of hers.
1T They became very well acquainted o,
10 the way home; and though they kney
ry there was no one to hear, still they talk
cd very low to each other, and Dicl
g, found out all about his rival, Mr.. Ste
ch Venson, and don't know but he wen
he so far as to hint that the old gentlema
lc, never could love her rs a "certai
nd young man" di,cays would, for the sin
py pie reason that he couldn't help it.
he But | know that Dick thought thf
Id the ride home was very short. Eve
I, l. 10 IL hnt nipi- had
rery fast horse, though John and il
he wife had been at home half an hour .
It'll least.
: If old Mr.. Weaver had been awake /
on might have heard something out by Il
* gate that sounded very much lii
cs- kissing; but then it might not hay
cr- been that, though l don't thir
e; Dick Nernon's conscience would ha'
do ever troubled him if he had kissed SUI
it, Il pretty girl as Katie Weaver, even
the old folks had been unwilling.
lit After that Dick and Katie met We
-ay often. 1t was generally at the house
in Dicks sister Mary, though sometin
nd, they had stolen interviews in the 6;
,er, den by moonlight; and Katie came
,ter think very much of her younger low
h a and was almost persuaded to run
adj with him in spite of the old folks; |
lil- she always said wait till she was of a
and then she would have a right to
lick rs she plcascd-that was only tn
ross months longer, and so Dick tried to
and rs patient rs he could.
lnie And at last the three months ]
'cnt nearly expired. "Only week longe
the said Dick us they sat on the seat in
fro, grape arbor. Katie tremblCd just O
oc- tie, and Dick put both arms around
ywn and pressed her to his bosom and kiS
her, Just as he thought he had ri
,ing to; but Katie looked up then, g
a little shrek, and fell back into Die
arms again.
bout What was the trouble? Nothi
way only Mr.. Stevenson had appeared,
least Dick thought it was he. And I
Ding he stood in the arbor doorway look
here very stcrnly at the lovers, though
didn't speak at once.
/ he "Walll in," said Dick, determi
lent, not to be frightened till he saw Sc
/ his cause to be so.
add The old gentleman advanced a
ng." steps toward him, drew out his 81
re if box, took pinch, put up the box,
Mrs. out his handkerchief, and then spok
" Young man., ;" said he, you