The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-08-10
4 WAI-SIDE FLOWER.

They were walking up Glove Lane"
in n gay, chattering procession-girls
with laurel-wreathed hats, young men
bearing shawls and empty baskets, a
matron or two; last of all Stephen Eel
ton, Il child on either side of him, and
in his arms little Nanny Forsythe half
asleep. Wherever stephen went chill
dren followed, led by attraction irresisti-
BILE rs that which draws iron filings to
the magnet. Grown people could not
understand this attraction, but the little
one never mistook about it. Sleepy
rs she was, Nanny's small hand kept
patting his shoulder rs they went along,
and her voice cOoed words of drowsy
endearment which made Stephen smile,
gloomy rs he felt that day. Each cheer
full reply to the children's questions cost
an effort; but he spoke cheerily all the
same, and tried to keep his eyes from
wandering forward to where Captain
llallctt walked by the side of Milly
Graves, with his handsome head very
near hers, and his voice murmuring
low sentences iuauliblc to the rest of
the party. Many Chances were sent
back at this couple from those in adj
vance, for Ned I%lallett was the novelty
of the moment, Il hero and Il stranger;
and the girls, who were only too well
disposed to pull caps for him, thought
it "quite toe bad" Of Milly to absorb
his attention as she had done all day.
But, after all, what could Milly, what
could any girl, do, when an all-conquer-
ing captain takes up his position at her
side in early morning and never leaves
it till late afternoon 1t is not in girl
nature to resist such tribute, and Ste
phanie De Witt, in front. was partly
justified in calling it ga desperate fir
~tation," although l fear the pout with
which she spoke was due rather to
amour propre than outraged morals,
But on Milly's side it was not all fiirta.
ton. For all her merry, saucy ways,
she was a sensitive, creduloHs creature,
just the woman to give "gold for DUST
and stake her all in that unequal barter
so ommon in this world of misunder.
stood values.
Her fair cheeks were flushed and hei
blue eyes full of shy excitement as they
walked along, talking about-dear me
what do people talk about when they
are young and of different sexesP Cap
tain Hallett's fine eyes said more than
his tongue; his martial mustache seem
ed to give point and value to mere moth
ings. He carried a 1.-THE little cane
with which he emphasized his sentences
now cutting the air, now beheadinI
a mullen, in q way which Milly though
fascinating. And then Love Lane wa
such a pretty spot, the very place to b,
eloquent in. Its winding turns wer,
hedged with fragrant growths, wood
bine, brier, sweet-fern, and bay. Over
head the trees met and clasped in shad.
arches. Here and there a pink honey
sackle glinted in the network of green
or trail of shimmering clematis. TIL
pure primrose light of a cloudless sur
set sifted down through the canopy q
boughs, a light breeze stirred, full G
delicious smells. 1t was like an ever
ing in fairy-land.
Suddenly a turning brought them {
a fern-clad bank, against which, set |
a framework of tremulous verdur,
stood one rose, of perfect wildwood
pink, poised at tip Of a cluster Of vivi
leaves. 1t was like an enchanted queer
Milly thought.
"How beautiful! I" she cried but eve
as the words left her lips the restlel
cane flew through the air, licked Il
rose from its stem, and sent it into u
dusty road, a little whirlwind of broke
leaves accompanying its fall.
"What q pity!" she said, involul
tarily.
sits only a wild rose, you know,
surprised.
"But don't you like wild rosesP"
sob yes; but there are so many
them that it is hardly worth while
waste sentiment on a single one," Al
the Captain showed his fine teeth | m
smile which was the least bit cruel.