The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-07-13

mo, I see you did not; you are very
punetual"
Here are some flowers, put them with
| yours" he said, extending them, and
looking straight into my eyes, as if tc
read something there that he did not
know. Then turning to Sue and Ella, he
said, Now girls, for the ride see you
had started"
But how do you know that you are tc
accompany us2" said J. stopping to pluck
half hidden flower, to hide the tell-tale
bushes that l felt mountingto to my temples
"Ah excue me, 1 had forgotten myself
so far Girls, can have the pleasure oi
accompanying you in your ride p
Certainly" answered Sue and Ella
bat remained silent, as 1 was by this
time too full of laughter to answer; but
my mirth was all to myself, as 1 was still
trying to get hold of the little flower.
Cant you find it 2' said Tom, reaching
and pulling it for me. "Now I want youI
answer Is Miss Burt willing that
should Join in the ride 2"
eyes, provided you will call me Lulie
or Lu."
"Wen, Lulie it is then, as I like that
best: And 1 must be bold enough to ask
little favor of you"
''What is it?'SI I asked, half inclined tc
refuse.
"Call nae Tom"
l could not refuse so slight favor, so
reluctantly consented.
'Do you hear, girls 2" asked Tom, turn
ing to my companions.
How could we, when your words were
addressed particularly to Lu?" said Ella,
sharply.
"You are all to call me Tom" he re-
peated. "Now do you understand
Certainly" answered Sue, chat does
not seem so formal"
During their colloquy had fled to the
ponies and mounted mine, and was riding
slowly along, when Tom and the girls
reached the fence 1t then took some little
time for Tom to help them over, and into
their saddles. By that time was nearly
out of sight, but they followed swiftly.
"What has possessed her?" said Tom
to the girls as they rode along.
81 should Judge she is initiating some of
Emma CarPs ways" said Ella, curtly.-
''She has been with her too much don t
consider her the best of company"
Had Ella Day seen the frown fit across
the faces of her companions she would
have known her words had not pleased
them but this she did not see, so she
continued making like remarks until Sue
told her very abruptly to stop. Tom
looked the thanks he thought it best not
to utter. Ella would not quicken her
speed to overtake me; so the misty twi-
light had gathered thickly around before
any one reached the place where l had
stopped an hour before to wait for them,
When Ella saw that darkness would
soon be upon US, she stopped saying
81 will not go an another inch"
"Why not Z" asked Sue.
"See how late it is ? it is very lmpru-
dent to remain out so late"
But we must find Lulie, for some acci-
dent may have happened to her"
THAT Is not our lookout; it was very
improper for her 10 leave US, and unlady-
like, too so l shall return. If no one will
accompany me shall have to 90 alone"
al viii go back with Ella, while you
seek Lulie," said Sue to Tom, lea din the
way, while Ella followed sullenly, and
Tom hastened after me.
was sitting on a bridge, above the
great Bear Greek, that was gurgling, and
ioaming, and dashing along, over pebbles
and rocks In its course. Tom after pass
ing my pony, which had fastened so that
he could Craze a little, while I unused
above the clear water came stealthily up
behind Ins, and laying his hand on my
arm, said
"YOu find yourself quite distance from
home do you notP'
did not look to see who the intruder
was, but fed rapidly in the direction of
the place where had left my pony.
"LuGe Luhe p he called, Hyou know
me, I'm sure. Stop-please wait, l have
Of h1nrr N toll xrN1r ,,aa1 -
it is only Tom"
Tell me as we ride along I answered :;
and turning, saw Tom standing on the
bridge where l had waited so long for
my companions.
mo, Lulie, would tell you here above
the clear, pure waters"
ran back, and he met me half way.
Where are the girls why did they not
come with you? l expected them to come,
and imagined what nice ride we would
have In the clear starlight"
ELLA would not come, so Sue went
back with her, and l came after YOU, and
now beg that you will allow me a short
interview here, alone, for by tomorrow
night l shall be far away"
What can you mean, Tom% I ex-
claimed in surprise.
Come nearer, Lulie, out here, where
we can see the little stars in the crystal
water, then l will tell you all that is in
my beart."
1 mechanically obeyed, and he began.
"Lulie, we are both young; you are
fifteen, perhaps, and l am almost twenty.
l have never loved, nor you, either, l am
sure, by your guileless ways, and know
not the art of deception The night I
met you at Miss Carls, l knew I had met
my fate, and it pleased me and when I
saw you bathed in moonlight, at your win
dow, something told me you were thinking
of me. Was it so little girl? All that
look tells me. l do not say that you are
beautiful, as you perhaps imagine lover
should. l would not be the first one to
thrust that enemy, vanity, at you. 1
would have you always as artless and pure
as 1 see you now, But tell me, little girl,
do you think you could love such as ! p
81 think could" / answered, looking
down into the stream.
He raised my head and held my face
between his palms, and looking into my
eyes with those deep blue orbs Of his he
said
Little darling, love you l long to
clasp you to my heart and call you mine,
my own little wife, and oh my love
prompts me TO kiss those ripe, pure lips :;
but l must not. 1t is hard task for me,
ID the ardor of my first true young love, to
put you off thus; but l must-I must
wait. One thing would ask of you, as
a reward for my self-denial. am going
away" he continued, ito seek fortune,
that may buy home, and the comforts
with which l would surround my little
wife, should | ever have one. The boon l
ask is this: that you Will not marry any
one for five years, or bind yourself by any
promise. may be selfish, but l am not
selfish enough to bind you to me bv prom
ise of marriage. if il should happen that
l could. l would have you free, for you
are young, and may see some one that you
could love better All I ask is that you
will wait five years. Do you think you
can wait are you willing to wait 2'
As placed my hand in his for answer,
something in the tone of his voice brought
the tears which could not restrain, and
they fell on our clasped hands.
Little girl, tell me how have caused
those tears; ] would not for the world
have ocoasiondd them" he said, drawing
my head down upon his bosom, and wi
ping them away. Forgive me, Lulie,
whatever did that caused you grief; will
IfA -