The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-04-26

undertook to walk from the station and
have lost my way, think. am to board
there for few weeks. My name Is Philip
Warren, perhaps you have heard them
mention me-"
The girl rose up sloN ly, shaking as she
did SO the violets and dandelions from her
lap, and Philip saw how youthful she was
in appearance. Certainly not more than
sixteen years had passed over her sunny
head.
81 have heard Of yon," she said; ~ am
Myrtle Sawyer, and I live in that large
white house. There it is just peeping
through the green trees"
Philip Warren bowed as if to a queen.
''Then you are the daughter of Farmer
Sawyer" he said, land shall have the
pleasure of seeing you every day for four
weeks. Truly am fortunate, for hardly
fancied this country village boosted of SO
fair maiden as the one I now behold"
Myrtle blushed.
"You Aatter me-" she said smihnGly,
then dropped her eyes shyly.
Philip was infatuated
'Not ALL" he said warmly. "Trust me,
mean every word l say. Now I have one
favor to ask of you. viii you permit me
TO tarry here till you return to the house,
for by your basket judge you to be in
search of wild flowers, and such is an occu-
patton I greatly enjoy" he added as he
righted the half upset basket, with
graceful apology for his careless manner of
disarranging its contents.
Myrtle laughed Philip Immediately
thought of robins and nightingales, but he
did not say so.
"Indeed," she said with charming
blush, II was not sent to gather flowers,
but to dig these great coarse dandelions
for our new boarder's dinner. l have
been out full an hour, and seeing this
charming spot, forgot all, and look !
have picked darling violets instead. Arnt
they large2 And isn't this lovely
Don't you think it is ?" holding up
tiny green leaf tightly curled about q
slender blue blossom.
'Indeed it is" Philip answered, but his
eyes were on her face and not on the
flower. 'It is sweeter than any l have
ever seem"
Myrtle colored His compliment was
too plain not to be understood. But she
only shrugged her shoulders.
81 must go to work." she said, briefly,
"Yonder is our house. Follow this path
and you can't miss your way"
''And so you won't let me stay and helr
you?" Philip said reproachfully, as he
again took up his carpet-bag. II am very
tired, Miss Sawyer, and a rest in THU
meadow will ain sure refresh me. Please
let me stay. You know we are to become
fast friends during my stay, and if SO
why not commence now? So don't cas-
me oE." .....#.. ....
Myrtle laughed. She sent a glance intt
the handsome face beside her.
''Stay, then," she said, shyly, and so h
remained, digging the huge roots as fas
as she discovered them, and indulging il
little talks about the great city from whenc
he had come, while she entertained hin
in her turn with snatches of countr,
gossip.
AT the end of an hour, good Mrs. Sawye
was astonished by the sight of Myrtl
coming up the walk, chatting away to
stranger who bore a carpet-bag strappe
upon his shoulder, and in his hand baske
, filed to the brim with dandelions. Bu
her surprise was soon ended for he 9
once introduced himself as their expecte
boarder, and gave an account of his meel
ing with Myrtle.
> That day was only the beginning {
: many more, each better and more enjoy
r able. Myrtle, being the youngest daugl
! ter of a doting father, had no menial labe
to perform, so became the chief con
! panion of Phiip Warren in all his wall
= and meditations. She was q genuine, il
q nocent, country maiden, one could see tn
1 at glance, but for all her simplicity thel
9 was nameless charm about her wlie
won all hearts. Even Philip Warren a
). knowledged that, and was never SO COZ
!. tented as when in her society. Indeed, IL
n the country air seemed to agree with hi
d SO well, that he heightened his stay
|. eight weeks instead of four, and Myrtle
d cheeks took on roster glow, and her ey
.. brighter sparkle. Even the good farm
" and his wife smiled at her fondness for ii
d manly stranger, for to them both. he was
likely young fellow, and if he loved the
y child, and she loved him, he shou
o be blessed for her sake. So he stay
I on.
n One day as Myrtle was on her way to Il
+, meadow, which was now her daily habi
W Philip joined her, and as the two walk
Ia he said suddenly
Ia Myrtle, am in great dilemma, al