The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-05-29


Warner; perhaps you have heard
them mention me"
Tho girl rose up slowly, shaking
as she did so the violets and dande-
lions from her lap, and Philip saw
how youthful she was in appearance.
Certainly not more than sixteen
years had passed over her sunny
head.
Il have head of you," said che
II am Myrtle Sawyer. and l live in
that large white house. There it is
just peeping through the green
trees"
Philip Warren bowed as if to q
queen.
"Then you are the daughter Of
Farmer Sawyer be said, "and |
shall have the pleasure of seeing you
every day for four weeks. Truly /
am fortunate, for / hardly fancied
this country village boasted of so
fair maiden as the one now be-
hold"
Myrtle blushed.
"You fatter me-" she said smil-
ingly, then dropped her eyes shyly.
Philip was infatuated.
"Not at ALL" be said warmly.
Trust me, l mean everything l say.
Now / have one favor to ask of you.
| Will you permit me to tarry here till
you return to the house. for by your
basket l judge you to be in search of
wild-howers, and such is an occupa-
ton l greatly enjoy,n he added, as
be righted the half upset basket, with
a graceful apology for his careless
manner of deranging its contents.
Myrtle laughed. Philip immedi-
ately thought of robins and nightin-
gales, but be did not say SO.
Indeed" she said, with charm
ing blush, 81 was not sent to gather
flowers, but to dig these great coarse
dandelicns for our new boarder's
dinner. / have been out full an
hour, and seeing this charming spot,
l forgot all, and look have picked
darling violets instead. Arn't they
large! And isn't this lovely? Don't
you think it is 2" holding up a tinv
green leaf lightly curled about
slender blue blossom.
Indeed it is" Philip answered,
bat his eyes were on her face and
not on the flower. at is sweeter
than any have yet seen"
Myrtle colored His compliment
was too plain not to be understood.
But she only shrugged her shoul-
ders.
81 must 60 to work. she said,
briefly. "Yonder is sour house. Fol-
low this path, and you can't miss
your way"
"And so you won't let me stay
and help your" Philip said reproach
fully, as be again took up his carpet
bag. 81 am very tired, Miss Saw
yer, and the rest 10 this meadow will,
am sure, refresh me- Please let me
stay. You know We are to become
fast friends during my stay, and if
80, why not commence it now? So
don't cast me off,"
Myrtle laughed. She sent a
glance into the handsome face be-
side her.
"Stay, then," she said shyly, and
80 be remained, digging the huge
roots as last as he discovered them,
and indulging in little talks about the
great city from whence be had just
come, while she entertained him in
her turn with snatches Of country
gossip.
Al the end of an hour, good Mrs.
Sawyer was astonished by the sight
of Myrtle coming up the walk, chat
ting away to e stranger who bore q
carpet bag strapped upon his shoulder,
and in his hand basket filled to the
brim with dandelionS. But her sur
prise was soon ended, for he at once
introduced himself as their expected
boarder, and gave an account of his
meeting with Myrtle
That day was only the beginning
of many more, each better and more
enjoyable. Myrtle, being the young.
est daughter of doting father, had
no menial labor to perform, so be-
came the chief companion of Philip
Warren in all his walks and medita-
tions. She was genuine, innocent,
country maiden, one could see that
at glance, but for all her simplicity
there was a nameless charm about
her which won all hearts. Even
Philip Warren acknowledged that,
and was never so contented as when
in her society. Indeed, the country
air seemed to agree with him so
well, that he heightened his stay to
eight weeks instead OF four, and
Myrtle's cheeks took on roster glow,
aud her eyes a brighter sparkle.
Even the good farmer and his wife
smiled at her fondness for the manly
stranger, for to them both be was
likely young fellow, and if he loved
their child, and she loved him, he
should be blessed for her sake. So be
remained on.
One day as Myrtle was on her
way to the meadow, which was now
her daily habit, Philip joined her,
and as the two walked he said sud-
denly:
Myrtle, l am iD a great dilemma,
and appeal to you to help me out.
The other dsy l had letter from
home, stating that two magnificent
carriage horses l had ordered ere l
came here, had arrived They are
minus names. and / wish for some
sort of title by which to designate
them l appeal to you to propose
something. And as go to the city
tomorrow to see about them l wish
to order their winter blankets with
the different names worked on the
side before / return here" | am,
you know, great lover Of horses,
aud as want some romantic name,
l appeal to you for advice in the mat.
ter"
"But know of nothing suitable,
Philip" Myrtle said. Then smiling
playfully, she held up to bis view q
small green weed. How shall this
do ?" she asked.
He caught at the meaning instant.