Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-04-06
care for the past or a thought for the

care for the past or thought for the
past or thought for the future"
Bella" l exclaimed, interrupting
this namby-pamby gush of schoolgirl
sentimentalism, IAN | to understand
by all this nonsense. that YOU loved this
doctor?'
"Why, auntie, / am astounded at
you. The idea of anybody loving
man, now if it had been bird, or dog,
or eat or even bear, but man But
to return to my story. The time, for
our pleasant summer idling to cease,
was fast approaching and we had de-
cided that the even, par-excellence. of
the season should be an elegant pic
mic in the afternoon, to wind up with
dance by moonlight. For days before
hand we were all making wonderful
preparations for the festive occasion:
it was the one theme of conversation.
Mrs. Lee fairly lived in the kitchen,
connecting all sorts of tempting edibles
and many and grave were the cOnclaves
held in regard to our toilets The gem
tlemen. too. had caught the prevailing,
and were doing all in their power to in
sure the success of our fete chdntpetre.
Finally the long looked-for, much
talked-of day dawned. and | will leave
you to imagine our feelings when we
woke to find the rain falling in torrents.
A sorry. woe-begone company it was
that gathered round the beautiful ia
BILE that morning. 1t was desperate
case; we all felt that. There was not
the faintest hope of its clearing up;
picnic, croquet, white dresses, and
moonlight were absolutelyou the ques-
ton. There was nothing left for Us to
do but ''accept the situation" and
make the best of it.
Before the meal was well over the
doctor had a call, and as he, of course,
never needed the weather, walked off
carrying with him what little sunshine
remained in my sky with him.
For three whole daysr wererain bound.
Three days! 1t does not sound very
long, but to our restless, penned-up
party it seemed an eternity. Not COM
plimentary, you say. Well, perhaps |
had better modify the remark, limiting
it to myself, and it may be just posi-
BILE that the doctors continued absence
had something to do with the days
dragging by with such heavy, leaden
feet. any rate they were the long
est three days | ever spent, and the
fourth morning, finding it still raining
and feeling desperately blue, Slipped
out of the parlor and sought my favor
lite resort, the octagon room, with a
lurking wish, perhaps. to find it occu-
pied, but, if any such hope had promt-
ed me, it was ruthlessly dashed, for the
place was empty and desolate enough.
Ii had its charm for me, however, and
I remained, standing near one of the
windows, drumming doleful accom-
paniment to the monotonous, everlast-
ing drip, drip of the rain; the foolish
tears. had been battling against all
the morning. must have had their way,
for presently a gay, provoking voice,
surprisingly near, startled me, saying:
why verify believe you are crying.
Surely. Miss Bella, you have recovered
from that miserable picnic disappoint-
ment before this?"
Home ut last, exclaimed. through
my tears. Il am so glad. You can
never know how we have missed you"
a quick, happy light sprang to his
face. us he caught both my outstretch-
ed hands.
drew back with sudden, well-assum-
ed hanteur.
II shoul think. if you could doubt "a
lady's word to her face, you might dare
almost anything"
what charming little tragedy
queen YOU are when occasion requires.
Bella, but humbly crave your males
tvs pardon. if have offended in the
slightest degree, and moreover pledge
myself never. on any prOvocation what
ever, to doubt again. Yes" he said.
suddenly dropping his light, bantering
tone and becoming serious; Il will be-
.ieve in you. come what may"
Really, doctor, you overwhdm me,
my gratitude is too great for words for
the gigantic favor you confer. Repeat
if, please-that you will believe in me-
All! | can not express"
"There Bella, be merciful and do not
poke fun at me in that absurd fashion,
am inclined to he very serious this
morning, if you will only allow me. Do
you remember the first time / ever saw
your"
''Oh, dear, what an unreasonable
man. | can assure you it is as much
as my weak memory can accomplish to
serve me, without exerting itself in be-
half of any one else"
Il see you are resolved upon being
decidedly frivolous and childish, and
must, per force, accommodate. myself
to your mood.
Would you like to hear story;
most children are fond of stories, and
know a beautiful one, all about a fairy
princess. If you will promise to he
ever so good, you shall hear it,
CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT
-