The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-04-16
EMMA'S EXPERIENCE.

Emma sat dreaming on the lower step of
the broad, low rooted porch, with her chin
resting on one brown little hand, and a mis-
ty depth of light in her clear gray eyes
dreaming as girls of eighteen will dream, Of
future far off and radiant that somehow
never resolves itself iuto the present-a to-
morrow that never beomes to-day.
The old clock on the kitchen shelf had Just
struck iOur-the afternoon sunshine was
showering down, in u short Of golden spray,
through the low boughS of the great old
cherry tree, where the red ox-hearts' hung
like jeweled pendant, and the busy brown
robins Huttered in aud out. and orange-bplt-
ed bees kept up low, murmurous tum, like
breakers, far out on the sea OF the suuny air
She was rosy little lass, this heroIue of
ours. round cheeks where the crimson of per-
| feet health glowed through veil of sunburn,
and dimped mouth red and fragrant us II
Glove plnk-a genuine country girl, as un-
corse eously graceful in all her movements as
the slivergrecn wheat now ripping in the
summer breeze. Not an orthodox beauty.
but very lovely. lovable little parsonage as
she sat there in her b. own gingham dress and
ruilled white apron. with her sun-bonnet on
the porch floor beside her.
or what WIS she musing? The old, old
| subject OF revere-the Old refrain to every
Song-HIM! For Emma Roydon was in love
or, at all events she fancieG she was aud it
is wonderful how completely fancy will some.
| times assume the throne of reality.
AS she sat there smiling to herself, with
dropping lashes and fleetng rose-shadows ON
her cheek, firm quick footstep sounded OH
the garden path. where long sprays Of spicy
sweet-brier traied, and double rows of cur.
rant bushes hung full Of ruby-sparkling
| iringeS iL level suu-beams-Thorne Milling
| tom step.
Emma, he said pleadngly. will you walk
up Craig lllil with me- this afternoon? The
young people of the village are all going, aud
You see how delightful the weather is, Come.
Emma, 1t is SO long siuce you walked with
| me.
No-Emma wouldn't. Thornc MiIlington
| looked hurt.
| why not?
Il don't know that am obliged to render
a reason for every action Of my life. 1t it too
w"rm; besides | AIN tired
Thprne Looked ut her with a mournful, in.
credulous gravity IN his dark eyes.
You. would not have answered me so once,
Emma.
Emma tossed her pretty little satin-smooth
head until the hair-L ins trembled among its
| braids.
1 suppose l am free to select my own
mode Of speech, lhorne Milling;ou.'
| Free? Yes, Emma, since you WISH to be
free.
Emma was silent. Apparently she was in
tently comparing the stripes OH two blades
of ribbon grass that hung over the wooden
step at he side, bat Mllington was not SO
easily repulSed We cling with wonderous
ienacity to life, and TO Thorne the love that
had grown up in his heart for pretty, wiliul
| Emma Ruyhou was something stronger aud
| better Than life.
| why don't you say at once that you are
| expecting your fue city lover? he question
ed, somewhat bitterly. Emma lifted her
head, blushing and Indignant.
'ThOrne, you aIe going too far. You have
no right TO caechiSe ne So
Have | not Enma?' he questioned in
tones where the sharp pain seemed to pierce
| through the words.
Certainly you have not
Well viii intrude no longer. | see
that your thoughts aud mind are elsewhere. ,
lie paused moment perhaps hoping that
| Emma might speak word to detain him. -
But she did not; aud the next moment she
was alone in theyellow glow Of the afternoon
! sunshine.
| IL HllBul uuNt Dtcu uNG llliuultS-ll ullRuI
have been ten-that she sat there counting
ribbon-grass blades, and listening to the
drowsy hum OF insects; aud then there
was another click of the little wicket gate
another footstep ringing clearly on the gray
eled path.
(Ah ifThorne Milington could have seen
the up-hushing crimson of her cheek, the
Frightening sparkle of her eyes now, he
would have fallen more hopelesSly into the
clutches of the 'greeu-eyed monster than he
already was-and that was, to say the least
of it, quite unnecessary.
Emma! My little wild lose! All alone?
lie was handsome, with his black. flushing
eyes. and his white, shapey hands, as he
| came up to her with caressng familiarity
of voice and manner that bespoke no unce-
tuinty as to his reception.
oh, Sydney, am so glad you happened
to came this afternoon! Uucle and aunt are
gone out.
Come, that's luck, said Mr.. Sydney Fair
fax. establishing himself on the lower step
at her feet, and possessing himself of ons of
her hands with sort of easy gallantry that
told fearfully agaiast the respectful reyer-
! ence in which horne Millington was wont
TO hoid tha vaywaFd beauty