Middletown transcript., 1876-04-08

lashed the rocky snore; tue snIHi S'J
of the sea gull aud the 6sherman's song
All these had strange fascination for
| the beautiful Maud.
| Sometimes ehe would let herself drift
back as it we're to the times gone by !;
this would bring tears 10 the clear
brown eye. but dashing them away in
stantly she would seem to join iu their
childish sports with more sest than she
had hitherto done; but still the old
longing would not leave.
One bright afternoon. in "the month
ofroses,' - as she was with the children by
the brook, tall and handsome young
man came upon them unobserved.
Maud was seated on the trunk Of q
bended willow that hung its graceful
branches far out Ger the water.
The children had left their play
| houses and came hocking around her,
| to hear one Of those iDnumerable stories
about Queen Nab and her royal train.
This she was telling while her deft
| fingers few in and ont, amid the bright
zepbyrs on her lap. keeping pace with
her story: all unconscious Of the tall
young man who was standing close BY
watching her.
At last she paused; glancing up.
her face suffused with bushes. when
| she saw him looking so intently at her
Maud instantly arose. when he step
nod forward and with a congo said -,
Pardon my intrusion. Miss; but my
horse stumbled and sprained his leg 80
badly that was unable to proceed far
ther with him unhitched him from
the carriage and was on my way to 6nd
some person to help me out Of my
dilemma; coming to this road. I heard
voices, and came hither. hoping to
end assistance Good afternoon" be
said, with another bow; Il will not
intrude longer =
..Oh! you have not intruded at all
am 20 sorry your horse is hurt per-
hsps you can obtain help from the
.Walnut Grove farm"
Efie, "she said to little girl beside
her. Twill you 60 with this gentleman
and show him the way :"
Yes, Miss" she said, walking shy
|-ly towards the stranger.
81 am very much indebted to you.
indeed, for your kindness" and he
bowed again, and was gone before she
could reply.
This way, if you please, said Effie.
turning to the right as they came TO
prong in the road.
$50 your name is Efie,. its very
pretty; what is your other name T.
..Efie Dean, sir" she blushisgly re-
piled.
"EHie Dean is a novel name. My
name is Paul St. Ledger. Who is the
young lady with you Ef6e T.
The music teacher up at the semi
nary, Miss Maud Burleigh. O, she is
70 nice-this is the place. cir" said
Efie, as they came to an avenue shad-
ed on one side by walnut trees. and
dotted on the other with blooming
roses. through which long. low. hip
rooted frame house was visible. There
was no pretense to style, but every
thing bespoke thrift, joy and comfort;
from the shining milk pans strewn out
on the green plot to sun in front Of the
dairy house, to the croquet under the
walnut trees.
Paul broke off several rosebuds. and
giving them to Efie. be said: '.Efie.
will you be kind enough to give these
to Miss Burleigh? Do not tell her
that l sent them. or che will not accept
them Hurry back. Miss Burleigh will
be waiting for you =
Yes. rir," said Efie, watching St.
Ledger closely; then taking the roses.
FASTENED away, saying to herself, Il
believe be knows Miss Maud"
Paul St Ledger walked slowly along
the avenue.
80 that is Maud Burleigh?" be
soliloquised; '.and l had made up my
mind not to like her. / might have
found in her thousand faults. if | had
met her in the ballroom; but as | saw
her there. she was perfect. A Hebe in
this century Of paper dollars and copper
pennies. BY Jove! l promised Uncle
Isaiah, not to fall in love With her
we'll, I've not; but one thing that is
very true. if he was young man and
had me for a rival, wouldn't like to
trust him out Of my sight With her. So
much for making rash promises and
resolutions. Heigho! suppose | will
see her this evening or try very hard. !
And on be went. whistliDg John An
derson, my Joe John"
When Maud reached home that after
noon it was almost tea time. She had
been in her room about half an hour
arranging the buds Efie had given her
for her hair and throat; and fixing
other girlish fuery, when light tap
came at the door.
..Come in" said Maud. raising and
lying the heap Of white muslin she had
10 her lap on the bed.
The door opened. and Tillie, all
smiles. entered the reom.
"Miss Maud. tea will soon be ready
I want you to look Just as nice as you
can. Doctor Goodrich's nephew has
Just come. Miss Maud, let me curl
your hair ?"
As the hour of seven chimed from
the little clock on the mantel in Mauds
room. she was taking the last look at
herself in the long mirror before going
down to tea.
She was robed in white; long pink
sash ebcircled the waist, and some of
the pink rosebuds cou6ned the double
frill Of snowy lace at the throat; several
buds were fastened 10 her dark brown
hair All the jewelry she wore was
ring set with large torquois.
After surveying herself for moment.
she was about to quit the room. but
turning round abruptly. she said: 20!
7 fnront tn ask his name. what il it