The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-08-16
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
q Naysidc Flower.

WHY VI
in gay, chattering processiOn-girls
with laurel-wreathod hats, young men
bearing shawls and empty baskets, a
matron or two; last fall Stephen Eel
ton, a child on either side of him and
in his arms little Nanny Forsythe half
asleep. Wherever Stephen went chill
dren followed, led by attraction ire
sistible as that which draws iron filings
TO the magnet. Grown people could
not understand this attraction, but the
little ones never mi>took about it
Sleepy as she was, Nanny's small hand
kept patiing his shoulder as they went
along, and her voice cooed words OF
drowsy endearment which made Ste,
pken smile, gloomy as he felt that day.
Each cheerful reply to the children's
question cost an effort; but he spoke
cPeerily all the same, and tried to keep
his eyes from wandering forward to
wl.sre Capt. Hallett walked by the
side of Milly Graves, with his hand
some head very hear hers and his voice
nurmuring low sentences inaudible 10
the rest of the party. Many chances
were sent back at this couple from
those in advance, for Ned Hallett was
the novelty of the moment, a hero and
n stranger; and the girls, who were
too well disposed to pull caps for him,
thought it "qUite too bad" for Milly to
absorb his attentions as she had done
all day.
But, after all, what could Milly,
what could any girl, do, when an all
cOnquering Captain takes up his posi-
ton at her side in early morning and
never leaves it till late after noon? 1t
Is not in girl nature to resist such Il
tribute and Stephanie De Witt, in front
was partly justified in calling it ga
desperate firtation," although | fear
the pout with which she spoke was due
rather TO amour propre than outraged
morals. But on Milly's side it was not
a Irritation. For all her merry, saucy
ways, she was a sensitive, credulous
creature, just the woman to give"gold
for dust" and stake her all in that UNI
equal barter SO common in this world
of misunderstood values.
Her fair cheeks were flushed and her
blue eyes full Of shy excitement as
they walked along, talking about
dear me! who do people talk about
when they are young and of different
sexes? Capt. Hallett's fine eyes said
more than his tongue; his mustache
seemed to give point and value to mere
notAings. He carried 1.-the little
cane, with which he emphasized his
sentences; now cutting the air, now
bcheading 4 mullen, in a way which
Milly thought facinatiOn. And then
LcTc Lane was such a pretty spot, the
very place to be-eloquent in. Its
TinGing turns wore hedged with fra
grant growth, woodbine, brier, sweet
fern, and bay. Overhead the trees
met and clasped in shady arches
Here and there a pink honeysuckle
alinted in the network of green, or a
trail of shimmering clematis. The
pure primrose light of a cloudless sun
set sifted down through the canopy of
bOughs, light breeze stirred, full of
delicious smells. 1t was like an even
ing in a fairy-land.
Suddenly a turning brought them to
a fern-clad bank, against which, set IN
a framework of tremulous verlure.
stood one rose, OF perfect wildwood
pink, poised at tip of a cluster of viv-
id leaves. 1t was like an enchanted
queen, Milly thought.
"How beautiful" she cried; but
even as the words left her lips the rest
less care flew through the air, flicked
the rose from its stem, and sent it into
the dusty road, little whirlwind of
broken leaves accompanying its fall.
"What PITY" she said, involun-
tarily.
ats only a wild rose, you know"
surprised.
"But don't you like wild roses?
"Oh yes; but there are so many of
them that it is hardly worth while to
waste sentiment on a single one; and
the Captain showed his fine teeth in Il
smile which was the least bit of cruel.
Milly sighed, and cast a regretful
look behind. Her gentle nature felt
for the despoiled thing. But, after all
there acre plenty of wild roses, as
Capt. Hallett had said, and presently
she forgot her sympathy and its cause.
Another turning in the lane brought
them to the village outskirts and to
'Souire liens pate where tho ros. of