The Lincoln County herald., 1872-04-11

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first open them in the morning. which
the young lady Obeycd con
The six months were nearly over, and
one evening Minnie was having very
merry time, eating apples, naming the
seeds, throwing the peels to see what very
amiable letters they would form, and go
ing through all the similar nonsense that
often affords SO much amusement to the
light hearted. Following the example Of
the others, Minnie tossed the peel Of the
apple she was eating over her shoulder on
to the floor.
What is in" asked Miss Percy, with
very demurc face. ut seems to me more
like an NJ than anything else"
"Why, so tits" repeated several o.hor
voices, with all the beautiful credulity of
youth. "M-whose name begins with NJ :?
Monkey" cried Minnie, quickly, only
intent upon turning tho conversation.
"Ono of Darwin's brethren, probably"
This started u learned dissertation upon
that subject, which was just what the
young girl wanted to accomplish. Hav.
ing settle this more satisfactorily to them.
selves, probably, than it would be to Oar.
win, they returned to their frolics, and a
raid was made amongst the spring vege-
tables for pod with nine peas in It,
Minnie was the lucky finder, and return
ing to the parlor she placed it over the
door. A few moments afterward there
was hustle and excitement in the next
room, followed by the entrance of Henry
Markham, right under the significant
vegetable that foretold his fate. They
were all SO surprised and pleased to see
him that the circumstance passed un
needed for awhile, but suddenly bright,
merry girl exclaimed, 80 MIR. Markham,
amt you glad you are going to be
>lnnies husband You were the first
to enter that door"
Poor Minnis's face was 81 ght to be
hold. If there had boen any chance to
escape she would have seized it but no,
there she hai to stand with the eyes Of
all directed toward her. Plying her
confusion, Henry approached SO as to
shield her from the gaze of tho other, aud
held out his hand. Mechanically she
placed her own within it, but as soon as
she could she slipped out of the room,
and procuring an escort went home
what did you run away for?' in.
quirsd Miss Percy, about an hour after
ward, us she entered Minnie's room.
"Because l never felt so silly in my
life. Did any one notice t?"
"Any one, l suppose means Henry
Markham. Yes, he did notice it, aud
looked as if the world had suddenly BE-.
come desert in consequence. So, as he
could not have your society, he took up
with mine. l folt immensely fattered
He wishes to know if you will allow him,
now, to apologize in person. And took
the liberty Of asking him to call to NOR
row night. Arc you mad2 p
"Mad no do not know as | am.
Did no say he would come ?"
"Yes, he did, and if you want to look
your prettiest you had better go right to
sleep, and not stare ut that Camelia any
more. Good night. and pleasant dreams
of--you know who"
The next evening Minnie did look her
prestiest, but she received her visitor with
u difiidence quito unusual to her, and
which only made her more interesting.
"Now, Mr.. Markham !" exclaimed tho
mischievous Sophie, "go down on your
knees at once aud beg Minnies pardon
for your outrageous otfense" Obeying
the laughing mandate, he knclt before
the young girl, and with glance that
set her heart beating very fast begged
for pardon. Smiling and bushing she
held out her hand, which be was on the
point Of pressing fondly to his lips, but
fortunately, recollecting himself 10 time,
much to Miss Percy's amusement, he re.
leased the pretty hand and spraug to his
feet again.
"Well. Mr.. Markham, where did you
leave your hearth" inquired Sophie.
"In France, Spain, or Italy ?"
~ did not take it with me, Miss
Percy" he replied. with q quick glance
at Minnie, who tried very hard to look
perfectly unconscious. He and Sophie
did the most of the talking that evening,
although Minnie must have been an ex
tremely fascinating listener, for he went
away more desperately 10 love than be.
fore, aud determined to have his tate de-
cided, whether for veal or woe.
lie had agreed to call ths next day to
show them some views he had collected
during his travels, and Sophie wisely de-,
termin ned to be out Of the way when be
called. She managed this very adroitly
so that Minnie had to receive the gentle
man alone, which circumstance seemed
anything but satisfactory TO him. H.
seated himself beside her on luxurious
lounge. aud :hoy examined the pi,tures
together, but they were iu such . dazed
state shat IL Henry had shown his com,
panion tho digui6ed Coliseum and holy
St. Peters, both engaged 10 az animated
jig, she would pos have aoticed the in
decosum Of such . proceeding. Finally
he placed the picture of very beautiful
glrl before her, saying: u prize tina,
more than all tho rest" Even 10 be,
bewildsrmeui. Minnie couid not help bu,