The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-06-15

their feet and describing a curve
through the air."
"But the coach seems well ballasted
In front. Why, look, Dill! there's
somebody bowling to YOU"
The two stages were now side by side,
and as Dill recognized the gentleman,
l saw her start and turn Suddenly
white. The next moment she had ac-
knowledged the bow in a cool, digni-
fled way, and we were bowling down
the hill at q break-neck speed.
Who was that, DIP" queried Joe,
as innocently as he would have asked
the day of the month.
"John Keene, an old acquaintance of
mine"
"Looks like O fellow Of brains,"
commented Joe, snatchlng a handful
of leaves from an over-hanging maple.
Dill said neither yes o no, but sat
resolutely contemplating the dust Of the
earth, her face scarlet now as q frosted
woodbine. / had the grace TO hold my
peace, for l knew more aboutthat love
affair than she had the least suspicion
Of. Kate Edgarton had told me the
whole story-all any body knew, that
Is, but the parties themselves. Dill had
become engaged to Mr.. Keene at TWEEN
ty, and for months the two had seemed
as happy as need be. Then she made q
visit at Newport, and while there the
engagement was broken. No matter
why, she said; her friends would know
some time; meanwhile she begged they
wouldn't talk about it. Soon after, Mr..
Keene went to New Orleans to engage
in ship-brokerage, and the next month
Dill's mother died, and Dill came to
our village to teach. In all the months
she had lived with us she had never
mentioned the mans name to me.
"Isuppose those people are coming
home from tho m~ountains;'' pursued
my unconscious Joe. "That coach must
connect at Bemis with the Portland
train. Is this Keene q PortlanderP
Seems as if I had seen him there"
eyes, oh yes, by all means," re-
sponded Dill, so a~bstractedly hat Joe
asked her, anxiously, if she'd forgotten
any thing.
Upon that she reused herself, and
was very gay for the rest of the ride
through the Notch, pointing out Won
ders of scenery with one hand, while
she chung to the seat for dear life with
the other. At last, climbing the Wild
est ascent of all, past the "Baby" and
the "Old Man of the Mountain" we
came out unexpectedly upon the smil-
ing green plain fronting the Crawford
House. 1t put him in mind of Rasse-
las andtho Happy Valley, Joe said, and
Immediately looked mortified, for he's
not given to making bookish illusions.
After tea he and Dill explored the
"Happy Valley" leaving me to rest my
poor weary little bones in an easy chair
before the parlor fire. For all the in
sufferable heat at noon, the blazing log
upon the hearth was q great attraction
that evening, and the room was full of
guests. l was idly watching the corners
and goers, when my eye fell on the
brown-bearded gentleman who had bow
ed to Dill from the top of the stage, just
entering. He glanced hastily about the
parlor, looked disappointed, and then
took a position commanding a view OF
the door. 1 had nothing more enter
tanning to do than to observe him and
as he stood turned from me, | couldn't
help admiring his graceful figure and
the perfect fit of his coat; and it came
over ne, as it had often done before, to
wish l could arouse Joe to a realizing
sense of the Importance of wearing styl.
ish clothes.
Here was a delightful little episode.
What could have impelled Mr.. Keene
back to Crawford's but the hope Of
meeting dip Now they would make
up and be friends, l knew, for evidently
Dill cared for him. She came in that
minute with Joe, her eyes shining like
stars.
"Such a lovely walk, Polly! W.
scaled Elephants Head, and saw where
they're cutting the new railroad through
the Notch, and"
4 She stopped abruptly, catching hel
ttbreath. Mr.. Keene had approached
and was extending his hand cordially
though a little doubtfully too, l thought
"Why, Dill, I'm glad to see you
How do you do"
"Yery well, l thank YOU"
Her face was white rs snow, her eye
scintillated like the northern lights
She looked as brilliant and as unre
sponsive as. an icicle in the sun.
81 have been hunting for you ever,
where, Dill. They said you had gon'
,tWest. l wanted to-"
"Let me introduce youto my friends
she interrupted, coolly. "Mrs. Garce
lon, shall | make you acquainted wit
Mr.. Keene? Mr.. Garcelon-Mr. Keene.
eve met you to-day, l. think, MI
Keene, on the other side of the Notch,
said Joe.
!, eyes"
"But We supposed you people wer
homeward- bound" persisted my stupi
old boy, who always likes to under
stand things. a"Did you bounce owe
that detestable road and back agai
: just for the beauty of the scenery
You must enjoy rugged nature nor
: than l do"
~ did intend to take the afternoo
train, but afterward changed my mind,
d said Mr.. Keene, with some embarras!
ment. ~ r.r~s7 o.
"Ah, indeed!" responded Joe, as VIII
should say, Fiddle-dee-dee!" lie d,
!, tests wavering, and it is one Of my col
s jugal trials that he never DISCUSSES h
feelings in the least.