Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-01-08

4
And there under the horse-chestnut
tree, with the glitter of the betrothal
ring in his eyes, Ed. Simmons vowed
to prove Metals lover. . -.sr
"Halloo, there farmer, is this Wynn
dell9' -ti 'Hlio-
Ed. Simmons turned round from his
lofty seat among the fragrant hay that
composed his load.
"You've to pass through Holcombe
first before you reach Wyndell," he
answered, courteously, and then turned
to finish his interrupted remarks to
Meta Erne and her Cousin Lidie, who,
in green sun-bonnets and big umbrellas,
were enjoying to the full that genuine
country frolic. a ride on the hay-load.
Meta gave little start as she heard
the strange voice suddenly hailing Ed !;
then drew her bonnet closer, and her
parasol lower, as the buggy was driven
alongside the hay-cart. ss
ado you happen to know an old far
mer at Wyndell, named Erhe?'' D.
81 do; can I carry any message"
asked Ed.
A loud laugh from the driver Of the
horses seemed all the answer for awhile;
then, apparently at a suggestion from
his campanion, he spoke. .ra
sYes; tell him I'm comm, too, if you
get there before do, for Pm bound for
the land o. Canaan!"
1t needed no more to tell Ed. the fell
low was quite under the influence of
liquor; but he made still another effort
to induce him to commit himself.
al certainly shall get there first, Mr..
- name, please?"
sob, of course you want my name!
How can you tell him if you don't know
my name? Amt he cute, Floppins?
Here, mister--here's my pasteboard.
He handed Ed. card with drunken
gravity, pitable to behold. sl.s as-
"Thanks," Ed. said, with sparkle in
his eyes "will you accept mine?''
He handed one down, and placed the
strangers in his vest pocket. r.af gr
"You see, went on the communion
tive gentlemen, eye see, Pm a court
ing old Billy Erne's daughter, stamps
there, you bet! and she's come down
come down, you know, to farmicate--
no, to rusticate--to on! Floppins, what
was it was going to say, eh ?'' al ,..
He leaned over toward his friend, and
then leered at Ed, who suddenly
touched his oxen and turned down a
by-road. rta. .
While Lidie and Meta, under their
sun!bonnets and big umbrellas, said
very little to each other. 80.
And Ed. up on the topof the fragrant
hay, wondered if it was not Providence
who had brought this all about? And
then strove to feel more pity for one Of
those girls under the umbrellas. l
The tea-table in Aunt Patty's big
kitchen had been spread for supper, and
the long white cloth swayed gracefully
in the twilight breeze. a. .-s-. ~s.
Aunt Patty had excelled herself that
night in goodness for supper because
"Meta's lover'' was coming; and she
had made the most delicious short-cake,
and broiled the rosiest ham, and pee-
pared her richest sweet cakes. There
were plates of iced butter, and fresh
picked berries, and glass-pitchers of
iced milk, and crispy raddishes, and Gu
cumbers fresh from the vines. So many
homely dainties lor Meta's lover.
And Meta herself, arrayed in q white
organdys dress, whose laundrying was
in itself marvel only explained by
Aunt Patty's colored Chissie, with
light pink sash knotted at her side, and
a blush rose at her. lace-edged throat,
and another among the curls of her
dark brown hair-what of Meta Erne?
She had gone down the lane. Aunt
Patty smiled and nodded to Uncle John,
who looked SO cool in his white grass
linen clothes. Gone down, so naturally
to meet Mr.. Rustic and welcome him
unobserved.
Meta had gone down the lane, and
Mr.. Rustic sprang gaily out of his styl-
ish little phaeten and came eagerly to-
ward her-so sweet, SO fair in her float
ing, trailing white garments, her flush
ed face outlined against the dark blue
sky. ........ ..... ...,.--. ..,4 .
i. ''My darling, knew you would meet
me somewhere about. Have you missed
me dearest, as have you?" --fo 9.
He leaned over to kiss her, but to his
astonishment she drew back with cold,
graceful dignity. 81. sffr.-" lll.f
"Mr. Rustic, since yesterday morning,
at eleven o'clock, everything has been
over between us. My husband will not
be a drunken rowdy, whose aspirations
are divided between whisky and old
Billy Erne's daughtern'
She looked him full in his guilty,
blushing face, then laid her ring on the
top rail of the lane fence, and walked
proudly, carelessly away.
Under the hOrse-chestnut tree she sat
down, and then, all alone, she began to
cry; and then -
Ed. Simmons came suddenly upon
her. ...r -. -r r
''Meta, poor little girl. Is it SO hard
to give him up?''
She swallowed sob as she answered
"Oh, Ed, it's not that at all Only
[ shall die of shame to think you have
his card, and-and-" li"a.- -i'.
Up went her two white hands over
her tear flushed face. .l...
"I'll sell it to you, Meta-for kiss
an accepted lovers kiss. You never
I will know how it has hurt me, but |
$ you will let me love you now, darling p
And Meta bought Gus Rustle's card
S And Ed. Simmons sat In the chair a
! supper that night intended for 'Meta'