The Osceola times., 1876-04-22
REFUSED AND REFUSING,

Church was coming out" The con-
gregstion fled out solemnly, and once
without the door, lapsed into soeiability
and began to shake hands and make
friendly inquiries in regard to each
others health and the absence of certain
members Of the flock.
One person only did not pause. That
was girl, a rosy checked lass of seven
teen, who seemed for some reason flushed
and agitated. She hurried on until half
way down sweet green lane, where che
seated herself under q great elm tree and
listened to the murmuring voices in the
distance with something very like tear
in her eye.
He'll surely come" she said to her
self. "eurely he'll never 20 away with
out saying goodbye, though he has been
20 taken up with Matte Burt of late.
He must pass this way going home, and
know he'll stop and speak"
Then she listened again, "a though,
through the still October air, she could
distinguish Evan Wares voice amidst
the rest. .
He stood, fine, handsome young fel.
low of twenty, not yet too manly to
blush, receiving parting wishes and in
functions from old ladies and gentlemen,
and hearty grips of the hand from the
boys, and smiles from the girls, for every
body liked Evan Ware.
Then came the final good-byes, and
one or two motherly kisses, for Evan was
to start at dawn; and away the boy went,
not down the green lane where Lizzie
Gale sat, but along another path, down
which tripped figure in bright silk,
with a coquetish lace bonnet and
parsscl, taking its way towards a rustic
bridge that spanned little rivulet.
He overlook her just as the little feet
rested on the bridge, and, quite out OF
breath, called her by name.
"Miss Burt, please stop minute"
She paused then, and leaned over the
railing of the bridge, dipping the point
of her parasol into the water.
al sail for China tomorrow, he said.
"Yes-you told me 50. hope you'll
like it,"
al don't expect to like it. / like
home better than the world"
"Dear me! What makes you 90,
then9"
"You know why-at least you might
know. I'm an orphan. have no mon
ey-no prospects. My old sailor uncle
thinks there is an opening for me in
China--a chance TO make my fortune.
II is very kind of him to do what he is
doing, and no one can tell how anxious
am to be rich."
Everybody seems to be-
Yes; not for the same reason"
"Why, what is your reasonY"
The answer came with sort of gasp
lone word" YOU"
"Me % The girl laughed and tossed
her head.
Yes; now it's out I don't know
whether you care for me or not. Some.
times you seem to and sometimes YOU
don't. But I-like-you--better than
anybody in the world-so much that il
you say may hope little bit to make
you like me ~ much, shall have an OBJ
ject to work for to make myself rich
and great, perhaps; and without that
hope ] shan't have any. There-it's
out. I've tried to say il dozen times
before, and couldn't go away not
knowing"
He paused and the girl stared at
"You meant that for an offer of your
hand and heart, | suppose 2" ahe said.
If 80, I'll tell you what: consider il,
coming from you to me, a piece of impu-
dence."
So, with her gay silk sweeping, and
her parasol futtsring, the rich farmers
heiress sailed away, leaving her bow
lover the picture of despair and mortif-
cation
So absorbed was he in his own in.
suited affections that he did not even
notice plainly dressed little figure that
stole over the bridge ten minutes after.
until some one said Evan"
Then he turned.
1t was Lizzie Gale, in her neat straw
bonnet, and with her prayer book and
pocket handkerchief in her hand.
You are going away tomorrow; I;
He took her offered hand.
Goodbye, Lizzie"
"Ihope you'll have a pleasant voyage
"Thank you; but everything goes
wrong with me. l don't suppose you'll
ever see me back again"
They shook hands again. He made no
.attempt to detain her, and she walked
away slowly and quietly, and never
wiped of the little tear that would trickle
down her cheeks until she waasure that
Evan on the bridge could not see her.
The nsxt day Evan Ware had left
Farmingdale for years, II not for ever.
He went mortified and unhappy; but,
strange TO ny, ~ much in love ss ever
He Wes very young and very modest,
md Matte Burt's uncalled lor insult
teok ara 3a.eK after day or two the