Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-01-04


dreams too, but cheerier ones; of tn
short and swiftly-f1ying hours that wer
painless at last, when he could sit Dol
stored in one of Mrs. Grants great arm
chairs, and watch Flora as she sat work
ing in the sunlight at the window. o
old Silas he saw little. The weather
beaten fisherman was seldom home du
ring the day, and the young suffere
was left to the gentle ministrations O
the old woman and her daughter, NOR
especially the latter, who waited pa
tiently upon him day after day.
And Flora, whose nimble fingers wer'
ever knitting, quickly and surely knit
ted Arthur Rolleston's heart into tn,
web with her worsted; and Arthur
himself, who had nothing to do but si
in his great chair and gaze for hours a
her pretty checks and hair, saw himsel
every moment more hopelessly entan-
gled among the brilliant colors which
her busy needles were weaving to-
gether.
l 1t was a dreamy, languid day in Au-
gust. He was then able to walk about
a little with his broken arm in a sling
and he sat with Flora in the little porch
before the house, where they could lool
off upon the blue, deceitful sea that
purred so treaeherously along the shore
beneath the cliffs.
She had let fall the work, and was
gazing thoughtfully at the distant sails
far away upon the water. At the same
glance, he perceived that she was not
the only listener. A rough, sunburned
figure, in coarse blue shirt, was lean
ing carelessly upon the garden-gate and
steadfastly regarding them with a look
which seemed to betoken anything but
friendliness of feeling. AS Flora saw
the figure, too, she gave frightened
little start, and flushed to her very
temples. ..
sAfternoonr observed the man in the
blue shirt.
Good afternoon, Jethro,' replied
Flora.
sd stopa few minutes, if thought
was wanted observed the stranger, BIZ
ting off the end of q wisp of hay which
he. held in his hand. ......
| in. oh oh 10 70
have you STOP
No. replied Jethro; Il don't believe
you would
Arthur Roheston, thinking the last
remark aimed in his direction, closed his
book, and said he thought he would
take a stroll. Then he removed his
hand from Flora's, which had lain quiz
etly in his own all this time, and saun-
tered off towdrds the beach.
Handsome chap that said Jethro.
.S'pose he's nice company, amt hep
Flora bit her lips, and made no reply.
The man was silent, and then continued,
'He's quite cut me out lately, amt he !?
1 don't s'pose you care anything about
that, though. He's better looking than
1 be, and dare say he knows good
deal more. 1 wish you joy, Miss
Grant, '' t"-
'Jethro,' said Flora, you are forget
ting yourself, What right have you to
toll- fh;e u,,,, % $780,
Forgetting my self? Good Lord !!
Isn't it enough to make man forget
himself when you drive me mad !?
Jest think of it awhile. 1t will do you
good. When he first came here, l
cared about it. don't now after what
I've seen this afternoon. Good-byer
Goodbye, Jethro!'
Singular, was it not? That when he
was gone, Flora bent upon her hands
and cried. Singular, too, that JethrO
Butler, instead of returning at once to
work in the field, strolled laizily along
the cliff after Rolleston, and finally
came upon him, unexpectedly, of course,
sitting upon great stone on the beach
below. . .,.'....H. ...-.. 1r..a .'.
'Hallon he said grimly, takinga seat
near him.
'Hallor replied Arthur. 'Jethro
Butler, isn't it? I've heard of you.
That's my name,' said Jethro. Then,
as though his heart and head were both
hot with some feeling that was rank
ling there, he added, You seem to like
your own company better than you do
Flora's.'
what of it?' asked Arthur, sharply.
'Oh, nothin'! I'm getting that way
myself, lately. I didn't used to
though -.,.a- ... .'..r... -....
Rolleston regarded him for moment
in silence. Then he said, You don't
seem to like me very much?'
NO. replied Jethro, dryly. ;.a.
why p. g.. ..- 81. ...
'You had better ask Flora why. She
can tell you rs much as l can about it.
'Jcthro,' said Rolleston, suddenly, as
if a new light had broken in upon him,
eff had ever known, or thought, that
l was blotting any hope of yours, even
though knew it to be but u delusiOn, !
should have left this place long ago. l
have no reason to be other than your
friend, and have never had. .-.. .
We'll saidn replied Jethro. Il like
you for that! but its too late.-too' late y
ITow do you know? Tell me you
love Flora Grant Assure me of her
love for you,-and l am gone to-mor-
row.
It's too late said Jcthro, fiercely.
Haven't seen it? Didn't watch her
u while ago, drinkin' in your words
with all her soul? She might have
thought of me once; but that is all over
now.'
You may deceive YOURSELF said Ar
thur. you are not certain that she
does not like you still?'
4 am,' he replied. 1T has been sort
A. 4 -. Il