The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-01-14
NANoY's ENGAGEMENT.

NANOY's ENGAGEMENT.
They hung heavy plumes of purple
over the gateway on that bright after
noon-the first of June. A charitable
breeze swept one scented bunch of
bloom a bit aside, just out of the each
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 a toss Of her
back curls and firt of her pink calico
dress that scared the butterflies, and
before the branch swung back she was
fastening mp the trim garden path, and,
finRiDg back a sharp speech over her
shoulder at a tall, sunburnt young fell
low who, with q vexed light in his
eyes, stood watching her.
ooh, 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"
tt was such a pretty shoulder over
which these words were cast, and there
was such a rosy flush Of anger on the
round cheek half yelled in curls, that it
is ne wonder John Armitage took two
or three steps in pursuit of the speaker;
sudden pride, and said one reproachful
word.
Nancy -
The one addressed wavered q little in
her retreat, then resumed it with in
creased celebrity.
viii you stop and listen to me ?"
the young man queried his rising in
dignation somewhat modifying his tone
ofappeal.
No /" 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. 4" But, mark my words, you'll be
sorry for this before these bushes hero"
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 bust
ness to take any one else to the May
dance when couldn't go. I shouldn't
wonder il hes gone down to Sarah An
derson's now. They viii be engaged
next thing, and she'll crow over me
finely. He'll try to make me jealous
here Nancy had a fit of crying.
"See if 1 won't make him jealous
first T.
The way she would do it became
apparent the next afternoon, when
dressed in n iaunty blue silk that set
off well her creamy complexion, dark
curls and tinted cheeks, sho started to
the village. The dainty blue parasol
was lowered a little as che came to the
pretentious block of build ings opposite
the hotel, upon one of which hung the
sign: "Dr Miles Gray. Office hours
from 8 10 10 a. m. and from 3 to 5
p. m" But the face of the building was
blank, and the office curtains lowered,
so with an 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 q quarter of the distance
| before the light roll of wheels made her
| tBrn her head and start perceptibly
| In n 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 have the pleas
ure of driving you homo"
The color frightened in Nancy s
| cheeks, the light danced in her eyes. as
she assenJed with a 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 eOquet-
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
a lover just then, the doctor was quite
"catch," AMI so she laughed and
chatted as the bay horse trotted along
The farmhouse came in sight toe
soon, and the doctor stopped midway
in a speech to inquire
Wont you take longer ride? IT.
such a beautiful afternoon %
Nancy demurred, as in duty bound.
"I-don't know. Iguess it must be-
most tea time.
The doctor laughed, and held hi
watch before her. 1t was precisely four
cob well, then" began Nancy
somewhat confused. "But aren't thes,
, your Office hours p
, "Confound my office hours - com
mented the doctor to himself. Alou(
he said "Im sometimes obliged {,
! break through my Office hours. In
going now to see R-patient on the ont
skirts Of the town." So they drove ON
, The "patient" could not have beel
I in a critical state. The doctor leaning
back in the carriage, let the reins Ii
\ loosely on the horses back as the
= passed slowly through shady wood
y roads smelling of pines, while the war;
breezes huttered light curls acros
e Nancy's arch black eyes and blue sill
. parasol had 20 be held mp to keep th
2 sun from her rosebud of a face. Th
# doctor had lurking fear that Name
i, was rustic and ignorant, but alb sh
II was so pretty
Y How far they rode in this lazy wa.
n wholly wrapt IN conversation, IS M
x known. How far they would have ri'
den is not certain, if Nancy had n,
sent a mischievous glance straight I'M
K the gray eyes, and inquired
d Why, where does that patient
N yours live ?"
d The doctor laughed frankly, coloEiI
t nevertheless.
20 " / see you understand the wa.
3 hat are dark and the tricks that a