The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-06-17

'DAY, JUNE II, 1877!
perhaps only the sweetest of echoes in
dream-land. So that night, rs Rose
and Captain Laurence paced up and
down the piazza in desultory Airta-
ton, Laura's lilt came rustling down
to them, like the murmur of distant
beck, and Captain Laurence found
ears to listen to it while he led Rose
onward through a labyrinth of non
sense.
In fact, Geordie was very tiresome
on that particular night. He lament
ed the departure of the Major, who
Used to ride him on the pony, repair
his toys, make his whistles, and lose
marbles to him.
II tell you what, Laura" said he,
confdentially, "there's nobody like
the Major! Why, I won twenty mar
bles Of him, right off, one day. And
do you know, Laura, the morning he
went away he came into my room, be-
fore I was up, to say good-by and he
asked who kissed me last. Wasn't
| that odd2"
"Was it," asked Laura.
"Why, yes-don't you think sol
It wasn't any matter who kissed me
last, you know" he continued, bent
upon telling his own tale; "but I said
it was you who always kissed me on
my eyelids, that I mightn't forget
you. 'Then,' said he, "I'll kiss you
there too.' And, Laura, I couldn't
Help it just put my arms round
his neck and hugged him tight, he is
such dear old Major! And he had
such a queerslook in his eyes, just as
if he'd got hurt and was trying not to
let any one know it; but he never
! cried a drop-me'a ''ever do; I sha'n't
when I'm grown up. Laura, don't
you wish he hadn't gone? Laura,
Laura! are you there2 You may
sing now, please" Geordie's good
manners were always after-theughts.
1t was not quite sunrise one morn
ing, about a month later, when the
summers dissipation had been already
prefaced with drives and dances, that
Harry tapped at Laura's chamber
door.
care you awake, Laura? Could
you come down and pour the Captain
and me cup Of coffee? Idon't dare
disturb the other magnates, and we
want to be off to the beach before the
sun gets too high"
"Tll be down in q moment" said
she; and directly she presented her
self, dressed in a white morning-wrap.
per, ruff1ed within an inch of its life
1.-The great waves of her brown hair
entrapping the light with every silk
en- thread, and just breath of rose
color palpitating on her cheeks.
| $50 you rise with the Lack, Miss
Laura" said Captain Laurence
"and I happen to know already that
you sing like him."
"And to complete the simile, we
are bound on lark" said Harry.
care you going to the singing
beach?" asked Laura.
| II believe so; but unless you 20
with us I sha'n't be able to say wheth-
er it sings in the minor or major key
I shall be utterly adrift on the sand
bars of music"
"What predicament!" cried Laura
"sha]l fill your cup2"
"If you will fulfill my request"
"That's right" put in Harry
"make her go with us, Bell; she car
| ride like bubble on the wind"
"Oh, 1 should like it so much but
you know, Harry, that I haven't rid
den these two years and then-oh
it's quite out Of the question, your
mother would be anxious"
"Nonsense, you're not a minor, arf
} you? There's Simon you con have a
well as not. I'll 60 out and have hin
saddled."
mo, no, Harry! 1 positively cal
not CO."
i They rose from table as she spoke
Captain Laurence drew near so tha
his Vandyke beard almost swept he1
cheek, as he bent ow and murmured
"Not for my sake7"
Il The heavy lids fell over the troubl
ed eyes. 1t was quite too early to b.
mastered by that strong gaze; soone
, or later, she felt it would work he
J mischief, but not yet, not yet; sh
; must struggle while she might, befor
!: the spell was hopelessly finished. S.
, she turned to him saucily.
, "You are quite right, Captain Lau
, renee. I shall stay at home for Geo1
l dies sake-lt is his birthday"
II wish I were Geordie, lucky che,
, ubw
"And six years old to-day"
tt "And six years old to-day, if
, might enjoy his pe;quisites, if 20
, would look after my birthdays"
e Poor Laura, she was so unused
gallant speeches that these litt]
s things went great way with her.
n All the morning that flush of plea
e ure never faded from her face, ths
n smile forgot to leave her lips; u
stairs, before her mirror, dressing ft
I dinner, she paused to regard hersel
nauaed half reeretfully. half surpri