The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-05-22

ternOOn-the LIST OF June. y charitable
breeze swept one scented bunch OF bloom
bit aside, just out of the reach OF little
brown hand that had amoment ago ruth
lessly stripped of half it, blossoms.
But the owner of the hand had already
turned about. with "A toss OF her black
curls and flirt OF her pink calico dress,
that scared the butterflies, and before the
branch swung back she was Fastening up
the trim garden path. and flnging back a
sharp speech over her shoulder at tall,
sunburncd young fellow who, with a
yexcd light IN his eyes. stood in the gate
way watching her.
'Oh. il don I matter what think In
deed. don't think AT all. You may take
whom YOU like 10 the next May-dance-
you won't take ne -
IL was such pretty shoulder over which
these words were east, and there was such
a rosy flush of anger on the round cheek
half yelled in curls. that IL Is no wonder
John Armitage took two or three steps in
pursuit OF the speaker; but he stopped,
drew himself up with sudden pride, and
said one reproachful word:
Nancy -
The one addressed wavered little in her
retreat. then resumed II with increased ce-
lerity.
y
Young man queried. his rising Indignation
somewhat modifying his tone OF appeal.
mo :" and the pink calico swept the
myrtles on either side of the walk faster
yet.
Very WE'LL was the angry response,
as he who had pleaded turned toward the
gate. '.But mark my words, you'll be sor
nv for this before these bushes here
brushing the low sprays sharply aside
''are out of bloom, Now good-by.''
Nancy. peering from behind curtain
after his retreating figure. cried. Perhaps
the soliloquy will tell why.
"Well. it's all over between us noi0. any
way. Its his fault too. He'd no business
to take any one else to the May dance
when couldn't 20. shouldn't wonder
If he's gone down to Sarah Anderson's
a. now. They'll be engaged next thing. and
she'll crow over me finally. He'll try to
make me ieslous'-here Nancy had
spasm of crying. ''See if | won't make
him jealous first
Tie way she would DO it became appa-
rent the next afternoon, when. dressed in
a jaunty blue suit that set off we'll her
creamy complexion, dark curls. and tinted
cheeks. she started for the village. The
dainty blue silk parasol was lowered lit
tie a. she came 20 the pretentious block of
buildings opposite the hotel. upon one of
which hung the sign. DIR. Miles Gray.
Office hours from TO 10 a. m. from 10
D. m" But the face of the building was
blank. and the office curtains lowered: so,
with an impatient exclamation under her
breath. Nancy went on 10 the post-office,
where. getting no letter. she turned discon-
tentedIy toward home.
The Fates forbade her. She had not ac-
complished Il quarter of the distance before
the light roll OF VIII els made her turn her
head and start perceptibly. In a moment
more young Dr. Gray, whose natty top
buggy was the envy of all the men. and
whose fascinating smile had won the hearts
OF all the women. had drawn up his horse
at her side. had leaped to the ground, and
had asked. eagerly,
Miss Evans. may have the pleasure of
driving YOU home?'
The color frightened in Nancy's cheeks,
the light in her eyes, as she assented
with charming smile and i'm a moment
they were slowly bowling along the road.
and the blue ribbons were blown against
the doctors broadcloth.
DIR. GRAY was Young, handsome. not de-
ficent in brains. with pocket-moneye enough
To prevent him from being tragically earn
est in his profession. and very much in
love with the coquettish bit of vomanhood
by his side. As for Nancy, she was a little
afraid of the gray eyes that could be quiz
zical a. well as admiring, and OF the smile
that sometimes curled the corners OF the
black moustache. But Nancy was minus
a lover just then, the doctor was ''catch,
and so she laughed and chartered as the
hay horse trotted along.
The farmhouse came in sight too soon
and the doctor stopped midway in speech
to inquire,
"Won't you take a longer rideg It's
such beautiful afternoon :"
Nancy demurred, as I'm duty bound.
"I-don't know. ] guess Ii must be-
most tea-time.m
The doctor laughed. and held his watch
before her. IL was precisely four.
"Oh. well. then began Nancy, some
what confused. But aren't these your
oftica hours ?"
"Confound my office hours - comment
al the doctor 20 himself Aloud he said,
"l'm sometimes obliged to break through
my hours. I'm going now TO see IA pa
tent on the outskirts OF the town. 30
they drove on.
The patient" could hardly have been in
a critical state. The doctor. leaning back
in the carriage. let the rcins lie loosely on
the horses back as they paced slowly
through shady wood roads smelling OF
pines, while the warm breeze fluttered
light curls across Nancy's arch black eyes.
and the blue silk parasol had to be held up
To keep the sun from her rosebud of
face. The doctor had lurking fear that
Nancy was rustic and ignorant, but all
she was so pretty
How far they rode in this lazy way,
wholly rapt IN conversation, is not known.
How far they would have ridden is uncer-
tam u Nancy had not sent mischicvous
glance. straight into the gray eyes, and in
quired,