Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-12-11

l2ElAF down with the current. rounded
shady bend in the stream. and cane up
on little eeye. where an adventurous
Wild grape hAd climbed ever low trees
and hung Its rAre- purpling clusters from
pendant boughS, Now ChriSty had an
especial hiking fsr wild grapes She no
sooner saw them than. with deft mcve-
Dent Of the oars. the beat was pushed
into the cove. and the rover. standing
On enc Of the lettering seats. was trying
IN vain 70 reach the lowest tempting
cluster. Ii was cut Of reach. In vain
she jumped for 1t, 81 the imminent risk
Of drowning herself; in vain. forgetting
her aspirations after yoang l2dyhooi.
she wished herself boy. that she might
climb the willow from which it hung.
She did not know What pretty picture
she made IS she stooi there in the rieh
purple shadows. the richer purple Of the
fruit above her. the gold Of stray rays
6ltsring down through the million leaves
above Her dark curling hair was push
ed hack. her cheeks were flushed. and
the sleeves had fallen away from her
appraised rOunied arms IS she stood on
siptOe below the provoking cluster. A
voice startled her. and brought her eyes
back to the shining levels Of the river.
"Will yOu allow ne to get yen the
grapes >"
If Christy had been : young lady.
she would Dot have turned scarlet and
uttered zn exclamation Of surprise Be-
ing schoolgirl she did both: for there,
beside the bozt. vas : slender. scarlet
wherry. the cars lying lengthvise. and
the occupant standing within it. cap in
hand. Christy did not need to glance
twice ST the close-cut, jetty hair. the
bearded lips. the face olive-tinted BY the
sun. for surely the dark eyes locking
down At her could belong 50 no other
than the hero Of her girlizh dreams
Bellies beau. Nor could the ''fstei fairy
prince. Who comes sooner OF later into
the life Of most girls. have eOne in more
attractive guise than in tie person Of
the Young sristocrat who stood awaiting
Christy reply. and regarding her with
mingled amusement and admirztiOn.
Excuse ne for startling you 1 an
sure ysu cannot get the grapes. and. be-
ing head and shoulder taller than you.
an equally certain that l can" he
said. with q smile
oh. thank yOu. II do want them
l ike grapes
Most people do" was the lsughing
response. as he reached high over Chris
ty's head and plueke3 two or three
bunches- He dropped these into her lap.
and reached for more, while she sat. II
schoolgirl fashion. holding the gather
ings and stezlthlly watching the gather
er from under her vide hat brim- When
be At last looked down al her. having
filed the bottom Of the bozt with grapes.
10 ask if those we're enough. she was BE-
trzyed into laugh.
oh. great many more than enough
for ne But you ike grapes yourself
don't you ?"
Indeed l do. But pray don't q,
that - for Christy was eagerly piliug
fruit clusters into the vherry. "Ther'
isn't room for them and for lie, too. i
you Eill let ne" be added. with I
glance at Christy's still flushing face
Il viii eat one bunch here before row
ing down the river.
There followed a tine-Christy neve
knew bow long-of positive eDchsntment
How IT was that she forgot her awe G
the elegant Mr.. Ross. and began 70 tall
to ber companion Of her dOings and feel
ings. As she did. will ever remain
mystery. Aud bov thoroughly charming
be vas How be listened and lzughe
at her schoolgirl relations. and hO'
handsome his dark Spanish face locke
under the scarlet Boating cap. And boz
enthusiastically be talked Of q bundre
things seen in travel, while Christy lis
tened as enthusiastically. with wide eye
and lips. and fingers stained with Ii
purple juice Of the grapes
Nr. Ross must have forget sbsut row
ing down the river. The sun was yer
loE and the shadows we're growing ehil
ly, when at last be said. spOlOgetiezlly
raising himself from his lOunging pos
. tion IN the wherry. Il beg your pardO
. for talking 10 you 80 long. and EitboJ
an introduction. too: but believe y
! knew each other. You have twice calle
ne nv name. 50 ! know you know me
: and know you are NJ Deigbbor. th
youngest Miss EFartS
, .-Christsbel Evarts. " she said, sharI
] lT-
-You must let ne ror, or'rstheT toE
yOu boue. to pay for ny inPolitenes
. There Is only room for one in the Ehe
". unfortunately. but if yOu will let Z
fzsten this chain 70 the bow Of yOS
. boat. Il vii save you rowing Up stream
The light Of the sunset vas On q
r river. and they seemed to Be goiE
/. straight into the crimson glory Christ
: vas too much zstonIsbed al her posItie