Middletown transcript., 1876-04-08
arm. ], i. rested on the broad window

arm, as it rested on the broad window
sill.
"How many has he said the Same tot
much more. perhaps. than be said to
me to-day. How many hands has he
pressed just as be did mine tonight.
No one can tell. / think part Of that
little poem is very true. especially
.He pressed my hand-that wasn't right, Z
why will men have such wicked ways?
It WASH t for minute, quite,
But in it, there were ddys and dayH
Pshaw! / am getting as sentimental
as he. guess will retire and 60 to
sleep"
When Paul stepped back. be still
fingered and wstched the refreshing
form Of Maud. until the door closed
between them-then be came opposite
Maud's window, threw himself in .
rustic seat. that stood 10 the shadow OF
Norway pine. and waited for the glim-
,ner Of the lamp light from her room.
While be was washing, Maud came
and bowed her head on her hands in
the moonlight.
Paul folded his arms across his breast
IA noise attracted his attention to
another part of the yard. when he
looked back, she was gone. a
Goodnight. Mand.' be murmured.
1--WE have met before, but when and
where, God only knows. To my knowl-
edge, never knew I Burleigh. butt
once met Maud Blake, that Was in
Florida, while | was travelling with my
uncle. All! it Is the same since she
has become . music teacher, she prefers
another name.
wonder if Maud remembers me. or
would. If / was to tell her who | am r
be unused as be proceeded to his room.
It was late the next morning when
Maud arose. after restless night.
All had gathered in the breakfast
room when she made her appearance. z
The old doctor remarked: MY dear,
what has made those rosy cheeks so
white? Have you become victim to
cupid's darts. shot from the bow Of
any one, stopping at the Southerland?'
(At that time there was young physi-
clan. spending his summer at the
Switzerland be had sought Maud's
cowpany. snd had been rebuffed several
tunes for this reason it was their de-
light to plague Maud about him Il
think we will have to call in Dr.
Devereaux. what do you say. to it,
Maudie, eh T.
Instantly Maud's eyes sought Paul's;''
an uneasy light shone from them, and
her face was flushed.
mo doctor is needed" she quietly
replied, and took her place With the
rest at the table.
As usual the meal passed of in quiet
ness. Very little attempt was made at
conversing.
Breakfast was over. Doctor Good
rich was reading. Paul went ont in
he. yard to have his morning smoke.
Maud was preparing herself to pay poor
widow Day her weekly visit and give :
music lesson.
As Maud was about to quit the yard.
she saw some bright flowers up another
path. and FASTENED 70 pick them for
little crippled Maggie.
She was pulling the last, whom Paul
said: "Not 80 fast" aud in the next
instant. her hand was Imprisoned 10 bis
Twill you be busy this afternoon ]
would like Us to take one more stroll.
will you 60 T. be said, bouing his head
to catch her answer.
Il WILL" making . move as if she
wished to 60.
Il have something to tell you, re-
member !" then be passed on.
..One more stroll! What can he
mean !? suppose bis vacation is over.
and be is going back to Philadelphia.
perhaps. tomorrow.
Perhaps. he is angry at something !
have said or done; be it SO, it matters
not in the least to me. "
The radiant orb Of day was fast sink
ing in the west, flooded with gold and
scarlet; . golden haze hung over the
mountain tops surrounding Sopther-
land.
Paul and Maud were seated on the
trunk Of the old willow; Maud was
marking in the sand with the handle Of
her sunshade.
Paul watched her as she carelessly
traced her name there.
All at once be said "Maud, l have
something to tell you; no. only to re-
peat.
This summer is not the FIRST time we
have met. Is it possible. that you have
forgotten?' ne exclaimed in surprise.
when he saw that no change passed
over her.
Drawing from his pocket miniature
on ivory-it was . sweet face with
flowing hair crowned with violets; the
inscription. MAUD Blake to Paul
Rivers" was on the back.
Holding it before her dowf cast eyes.
be exclaimed "Oh. Maud! can my
boyhood dreams be realized? ? Will you
renew the promises made SO long ago.
when | was lad Of seventeen and you
few years younger p
Still she hesifsted.
..Ara you triding with my feelings?
Nav, l do not wish to think that. !"
II repeat again, will you be mine I"