Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-08-24
THE FOUR-LEAVED GLOVER.

THh FOUR-LEAVED GLOVER.
Down in the grass, with the roses drop
ping their fragrant leaves around her, anC
the summer wind just stirring the sum,
cIrls that clustered about her broad, fai
brow, little Madge Wilder knelt. No on,
ever thought Of calling her anything els,
than little Madge," " though she had passed
her twentieth birthday, and called herself
woman. She was not ouly petite in figure
but 50 winning in every pose, that the word,
rose involuntarily to your lips. She had
been wandering over the lawn this morning,
her dress lifted daintily to avoid the dew
which yet fingered on the grass, pluckinp
now ard then red rose, or spray of great
golden lilies, which still hung idly in her
hand.
Just now she had knelt down in eager
quest OF a tour-leaved clover. Near her
stood TWO men; one young, like herself,
with countenance radiant with health and
good humor laughing eyes, and a mouth
entirely hidden by the curling brown nous.
tarhe which had made him the declared ad-
miration of all the young ladie, gathered at
la!r!awn for the summer; the other, q
lIan in the prime of life, his hair just touch.
cd with gray, and the high forehead mark
ed with lines of care, or grief, or disappoint-
ment This was Paul Lyon, man whom
YOU could not look upon without feeling in
stinctively that there was much TO reverence
beneath the quiet, almost cold exterior: a
I@sl whom more than one woman was anx-
ious 10 please, but whom thus far in life no
one had been able to win from his secluded
ways until Madge Wilder crossed his vision
lie thought her TIE very daintiest bit of
created womanhooG, and sometimes wonder
ed if she could ever learn to look with afIec-
ton upon him, worn a. he was with the
world struggle.
She looked up at these two presently,
standing there 50 quietly, watching her
every motion, with an arch glance and mer-
" smile. Come" she said, you both
know how much want my clover leaf, and
yet You stand there as if you had quite for
gotten that you came out here expressly to
help me fnd it.
In an instant Fred Hastings was beside
her, parting the damp grass, peering here
and there, with eager eyes, IS If he must be
successful. What reward Will you bestow
on the one who makes you happy in posses
sing the coveted treasure, Miss Madge?'
Fred asked 1t with a smile, which brighten
ed bis face wonderfully.
She glanced up hastily, first at him, then
at the silent figure leserfig against the ma
pie just beyond, and he.itatsd moment.
then she spoke quietly, her eyes veiled by
the long lashes, whoever finds a four-le
ed clover for ME first, shall name his own
reward.
4 little thrill of delight shot over Paul
Lyons face, and he too stopped down to
the bed of fragrant clover. Light words
and pleasant laughter mingled during the
next half hour, when, suddenly, Madge
felt leaf drop on her hand. She looked at
1t carefully to see that there was no decep-
ton about it, and then faint blush stole
into her cheek, as she felt rather than saw
whose hand had let it fall. She did not
speak, but sat there twirling it carelessly In
her white fingers.
Here, Madge I've found it Il exclaim-
ed Fred Hastings. coming round the other
side OF her, "and now for my
He had become silent in a moment, for
Nadge held up her hand, and he saw the
tiny green leaf resting there, and the sum
mer sunshine falling lovingly down upon 1t.
We'll, Lyon, so you re ahead Of me but
after all, its only in the matter of clover,
aud he turned to Madge, who had risen and
s;old looking back to the house, saying,
Let me carry those lilies for you, Madge;
won lose one by the way, l assure you y
But she would not surrender them, and
so he walked back beside her, looking at
her down-cast face, as if it had been the ra-
rest picture in the world.
Paul Lyon walked OH the other side with
thoughtful look upon his face that was
usual, and rare smile lighting it up, that
was quite unusual. He did not look at
Madge, at least so Fred Hastings would
have said, but it i. certain that he did not
mlss one smile or look of the woman who
walked so quietly by his side.
Madge was but woman, with all the ca
prices Of the sex, and for two weeks had
been puzzled enough at Paurs curious ways
to awaken a strong interest in him, but she
would not acknowled ge, even to her OWE
heart, the fact that she cared a good dea
vhsther Paul Lyon loved her. Fred did