The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-01-07
NANCY's ENGAGEMENT.

over the gateway on that bright after
noon-the first of June. A charitable
breeze swept one scented bunch o
bloom bit aside, just out of the eacl
of little brown hand that had mo
ment ago ruthlessly stripped off half its
| blossoms.
But the owner of the hand had al.
ready turned about, with toss Of her
back curls and a firt of her pink calico
dress that scared the butterflies, and
before the branch swung back she was
Fastening up the trim garden path, and,
firging back sharp speech over her
shoulder at a tall, sunburnt young fel-
low who, with vexed light in his
eyes, stood Watching her.
"Oh, it don't matter what I think
Indeed / don't think at all. You may
take whom you like to the next May
dance you won't take me-"
II was such pretty-shoulder over
which these words were cast, and there
was such rosy flush of anger on the
round cheek half yelled in curls, that il
is ne wonder John Armitage took two
or three steps in pursuit Of the speaker;
but he stopped, drew himself up with
sudden p,ide, and said one reproachful
word.
"Nancy
The one addressed wavered little in
her retreat, then resumed it with in
creased celebrity.
"Will you stop and listen to me p
the young man queried his rising in
dignation somewhat modifying his tone
Of appeal.
"No p 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 words, you'll be
sorry for this before these bushes here"
brushing the low sprays sharply
aside-are out of bloom Now, good
bye"
Nancy, peering from behind curtain
after his retreating figure, cried. Per-
haps the soliloquy will tell why.
"Well, it's all over with us now, any
way. It's his fault, too. He'd no busi-
ness 10 take any one else to the May
dance when I couldn't go. I shouldn't
wonder if he's gone down to Sarah An,
derson's now. They will be engaged
next thing, and she'll crow over me
finely. He'll try to make me jealous"
here Nancy had fit of crying.
"See if I won't make him jealous
first p
The way she would do it became
apparent the next afternoon, when
dressed in a jaunty blus silk that SET
off well her creamy complexion, dark
curls and tinted cheeks, she started to
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: CDR. Miles Gray. Office hours
from 8 to 10 a. m. and from 8 to 5
p. m." But the face Of the building wes
blank, and the Office curtains lowered,
80 with au impatient 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 a quarter of the distance
before the light roll Of wheels made her
turn her head and start perce, tibly
In moment more, Young DIR. Gray,
whose natty top-buggy was the envy Of
all the men, and whose fascinating
smile had won the hearts of all the wo-
men, had drawn up his horse at her
side, had leaped to the ground and
asked her eagerly:
-" Miss Evans, may I have the pleas.
ure of driving you home"
The color frightened in Nanoy's
cheeks, the light danced in her eyes, as
she assented with charming smile
and in a moment they were bowling
along the road, and the blue ribbons
were blown against the doctors broad
cloth.
DIR. Gray was young, handsome and
not deficient in brains, with pocket
money enough to prevent him from be-
ing tragically earnest in his profession,
and very much in love with the coquet-
tish bit of woman by his side. As for
Nancy, she was little afraid Of the
gray eyes that could be quizzical as well
as admiring, and of the smiles that
sometimes curled the corners Of the
black mustache. But Nancy was minus
lover Just then, the doctor was quite
q "catch," and 80 she laughed and
chatted as the bay horse trotted along.
The farmhouse came in sight too
soon, and the doctor stopped midway
in speech to inquire:
"Won't you take longer ride? It's
such beautiful afternoon
Nancy demurred, us in duty bound.
"I--don't know. Igucss it must be-
most tea time."