Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-05-29
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LILACS.

NANCY's ENGAGEMENT TO THE DOCTOR.
They hung, heavy plumes of purple,
over the little gateway in that bright after
noon - the 1st of June. A charitable
breeze swept one scented bunch of bloom
a bit aside, just out of the reach of little
brown hand that had a moment ago ruth
lessly stripped off half its blossoms.
But the owner of the hand had already
turned about, with toss of her black curls
and fiirt of her pink calico dress, that
scared the butterflies, and before the branch
swung back she was Fastening up the trim
garden path, and flinging back sharp
speech over her shoulder at tall, sunburn-
ed young fellow who, with veyed light in
his eyes, stood i'll the gateway watching
her.
"Oh, it don't matter what think In
deed, l don't think at all. You may take
whom you like to the next May-day dance;
you won't take me !"
1t was such pretty shoulder over which
these words were cast, and there was such
a rosy flush of anger on the round cheek
half veiled in curls, that it 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 ~
al Ettl., in,
her retreat. then resumed il with increased
celerity.
"Will you stop and listen to me ?" the
young man queried, his rising indignation
somewhat modifying his tone of appeal
"Nol" and the pink calico swept the
myrtles on either side of the walk faster
yet.
Every well" was the angry response, as
he who pleaded turned toward the gate.
"But mark my word: you'll be sorry for
this before these bushes here''-brushing
the low spray sharply aside-''are out of
bloom! Now, good BY"
Nancy, peeping from behind curtain
after his retreating figure, cried. Perhaps
the soliloquy will tell why.
"Well ito all over between US no,C, any
way. It's his fault, too. He'd no business
to take any one else to the May-dance when
couldn't go. shouldn't wonder if he's
gone down to Sarah Anderson's now.
They'll be engaged next thing, and she'll
crow over me finely. He'll try to make me
jealous"-here Nancy had spasm of cry
ing.
''See if won't make him jealous first !"
The way she would do it became appar-
ent the next afternoon, when, dressed in a
jaunty blue suit that set of well her creamy
complexion, dark curls, and tinted cheeks,
she started for the village. The dainty
blue parasol was lowered little as she
came to the pretentious block Of buildings
opposite the hotel, upon one of which hung
the sign, 'Dr. Miles Gray. Office hours
from 8 to 10 A. NJ, from to 8 p. M.' But
the face of the building was blank, and the
office curtains lowered so, with an impa-
tient exclamation under her breath, Nancy
went on to the post-office, where, getting
no letter, she turned discontentedly toward
home.
The Fates forbade her. She had not
accomplished quarter of the distance be-
fore the light roll of wheels made her turn
her head and start perceptibly. In mo-
ment 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