The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-04-17

She was refreshingly ignorant on litera-
~ subjects she declared Dickens silly ana
| Tennyson prosy she thought the stars
looked like candle-lights, and persisted IN
comparing the gorgeous hues OF the sun
set TO shilling calico. And yet, In spite oil
the oddities of the girl, Roy was growing
10 like her. There was nameess charm
about her presence, which he could not
resist.
He was lounging in the parlor one day,
looking ut "A late book, when Leah en-
tered.
"How do you like that workg' she
asked rs she saw him examining IL.
lit is very good" he replied. Don't
YOU think the author Is quite Dickens-like
in his delneation of characterw
Miss Chester turned on him face of In
nocent wonder.
Dickens-like," she repeated, vaguely.
" Is not that slang. Mr.. Lesterr
She left the room without waiting for an
answer, and Roy sank back on the sofa in
a state of collapse.
How can she be so stupid with such a
sweet, intelligent faoey' he thought.
Roy Lester, | wonderif YOU are "A fool ~
Though why Mr.. Lester should ask him
self such totally irrelevant question as
that, is inexplicable.
A hot. sultry day was the following.
Roy had promised aunt Margaret string
OF fish. and returning from this quest OF
the finny treasures, had swung himself a
hammock under the wide. shady piazza,
and with a volume of Tennyson. was be-
ginning to feel somewhat sentimental,
when light footstep sounded near, and
Leah. with a basket of green bean-pods,
sat down on the piazza near him, and
began preparing them for dinner.
"Shall read to you while you work,
Miss Chestery' Roy asked, lazily.
Leah looked up. Yes, she would like
to hear him; and Roy read, in his rich,
musical voice. that gem of Tennyson's,
Elaine" He looked up when he had
finished. A rapt expression was on LEANS
face; far-off musing look in her clear,
dark eyes.
Roy saw her draw long. deep breath,
and mentally congratulated himself that,
at last, he had awakened some feeling of
sympathy. corresponding with his own.
She lifted her eyes 10 his face.
Beans are awful tough this year." she
remarked, quietly.
Roy bounded like an India-rubber ball.
II was too much for human nature TO
stand, and he made break for the shrub
berry. He fancied he heard the sound of
suppressed laughter from the piazza. but
he wasn'tin mood TO inquire very close
" into ii. and remained under the elms
till dinner.
The days passed swiftly, and the time
for Roy's departure drew nigh. He was
more puzzled than ever with Leah. OF
late she had grown shy; he had noticed
that she flushed slightly, when he came
upon her suddenly, and her absurd speeches
grew more frequent than ever.
Ii only lacked two days of his intended
departure. He had been off for stroll by
the river, and coming up across the mead
ow. he struck into a shady path leading up
to the farmhouse, and was proceeding
leisurely along, when he stopped suddenly,
electrified.
IL was Leah's voice. 1t came from the
grape-arbor, just ahead. and the tones had
little ring of defiance in them.
Il don't care, auntie; IL serves him right;
and oh, isn't it funny TO see him stare at
me when talk stupid! Uncle Harry is a
dear, good man. but what did he want TO
send Roy Lester down here fory'
Roy didn't hear the reply of Mrs. Ches-
ter, but moment after he saw her going
toward the house, and then from the grape
arbor Leah's voice again came waited to
him, this time singing
''Shy she was. and thought her cold
Thought her proud, and fed DER the sea;
Filled was with folly and spite,
! When Ellen Adair was dying for me. -
Roy walked up to the door and looked
in. Leah was standing with her back to-
ward him, her fingers busy among the
vines.
1T seems you like Tennys0n well
enough to sing his songs, Miss Chester
She turned around with little start.
" Tennyson?' she repeated. THAT'S
from Shakespeare, isn't itr'
Roy came close to her. looking down
into her face.
"The role of stupid doesn't become you,
Miss Chester" he said, coolly. Hadn't
you better drop ity'
The tears sprung 10 Leah's eyes. She
looked down, and her lips culver 4.
Forgive me, Leah" he whispered,
drawing her toward him. II love you.
Put away your pride, and tell me truly, do
You care for mey'
Leah flashed and smiled, but when he
kissed her, she drew back
II don't know whether had better take
you or not" she said, saucily. II
wouldn't only to please Uncle Harry"
And that gentleman. when informed of
the turn affairs had taken, vented his salts
faction in triumphant, Il told you So
bellies and Bedur.