The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-05-19

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punctiliously every afternoon. A slight
answering movement was sometimes Wis
ible, which he chose to interpret as re-
turn to his salutation; that was all; a
bow, a shadow, vibration-thin fabric
for fancy to weave webs of, uncertain
aim for the fairy arrows of the tabled
god, but enough; for the unseen is some
times more potent than the seen, and
once lovers imagination sets to work
it finds material in lightest token and
lest palpable substance.
Gordon, for all the worldliness on
which he prided himself, was young still,
and modest, and it took more than a
month of these passings and repassings
before he gained courage for the holder
step of laying rose on the sill of the
closed window. There it lay in the morn
ing, dewy and fresh, as he went by Re-
turning at night he glanced across the
street, and felt heart beat; the rose was
gone, and Did the glorified shadow
within vibrate little more distinctly
than usual? Gordon dared to hops so.
Another morning, and another-more
roses. On the fourth day, grown holder,
Gordon ventured on a bouquet bou-
quet all violets, save for one great
! Marechal Neil in the center. On the
fifth day he took desperate step, and,
armed with another bunch of violets,
crossed the street, and tapped ever so
gently on the blue-glass pane.
The window opened, and the sweet
face appeared, deepened flush on the
cheeks, and frank light in the blue
eyes.
81 beg pardon for interrupting your
seance," said Gordon, gravely. But I
have ventured to bring you few blue
flowers; | believe they are recommended
for use with the blue glass"
You are very thoughtful"
"The experiment interests me, went
on Gordon, audaciously cit is such
new idea, and yet there may be great
truth involved in it. am anxious to
know how it works. Do you feel bene-
fitted thus faT?"
I-don't-know;" the dimples dying
out, and sad little lines forming about the
mouth. g 1t doesn't seem as if it could
do me any particular good. If my uncle
-" Here she paused.
What were you going to say?" asked
Gordon, coaXingly.
C ought not, perhaps. 1t was only,
if my uncle would let me walk and 90
out little, think it would do me more
good than blue glass"
Do you never walk, then, or 90 out?
But why do | ask? Of course | should
have met you"
go no, never do, except in the gar
den. My uncle says life is too short for
purposes of idle recreation, and purposes
of health can be pursued at home " The
blue eyes danced through their mists as
she spoke, like sun through rain. Cor
don was enchanted.
| never heard of anything so prepos-
terOus" he exclaimed. "Tons of blue
glass could never make up for the lack of
air and cheerful companionship Are
you never allowed to accept any invita-
tions? Do you never go to parties?"
Parties! Why, l don't know any
body. never spoke to a single person
in Pontoosac, except my uncle and Dixie
and you. There is Dixie calling me
now. l must not stay. Thank you so
much for the violets."
The window closed with an inexorable
click, and Gordon walked homeward,
full fathoms five in love, and with wrath
at his heart at the uncle who thus shut
up and hemmed in creature so fair and
bright, and formed for happy things.
"pll be even with the old dragon yet, "
he muttered; and he made ready his
armor and sharpened an imaginary lance
with all the zeal of Perseus preparing
for the rescue of .Andromeda.
Weeks went on. The blue pane opened
regularly now at the sound of particu.
lar pair of boot-heels on the pavement.
Sweet words and looks came out, roses
went in; what besides roses we will not
too particularly ask. Day by day fresh
er bloom tinted Bertha's cheeks-for
Bertha, it seemed, was the pretty name
of the lady of the pane-fresher light lit
her eyes, and day by day Gordon found
both cheeks and eyes more adorable.
Making love through a window has its
sweets, but also its disadvantages. Deep
were the consultations between the two
as to how different state of things was
to be brought about, ending always in
this, from the imprisoned Gordon: 4" If
worst comes to worst, there's this blessed
blue pane. It's quite big enough to let
you pass, my darling; and if Ican't have
you through the door, l swear l will
through the window. Wen try for the
door first, though"
At last daring scheme occurred to
him, and carefully shabby in dress, with
his Oldest hat, and notebook in his
hand, he passed the gate, rang the dis
used door-bell, which tinkled queerly in
the silences within; and when, after long
delay, the blear-eyed Dixie opened,
handed her card on which he had writ
ten, desires an interview on scien-
tiic subject" and with an authoritative
manner babe her carry it to Mr.. Lang.
The old woman blinked at him curiously,
but after moments hesitation showed
him into a sitting-room, and went on his
errand. t
Such dull, dingy, unhappy room
The blinds were closed and tied together
with tape, Through the gloom the black
horse-hair- covered furniture showed like
mourning shapes. The mahogany table
was empty;eac chair stood with its back
vigorously set against the wainscot,
which was painted pale green. What
an abode for Berthai Gordon shivered
a Z the idaa He had 1eisr1ra ~ ehivar