The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-07-13


all my days?'
my dearl my dear!'' demonstrated
Mrs. Wylde, you are forgetting your
SELF"
"And I do 50 want to see Captain
Severn" added Barbara, resolutely
choking down the big sob which rose t.
her throat.
What nonsensep said Lisette, the
dove-eyed beauty with the ripping hail
and the complexion of rose and snow
/" As if Captain Severn would ever lool
at youp'
But | may look at him, / suppose p
cried indignant, Barbara. And Pm
sixteen years old, and you've no right tt
treat me like baby"
Children! childrenl don't get te
quarrelliag," said Mrs. Wylde. And
Barbara can sit just here behind the tea
urn, and dare say we shall have plenty
of ROOM"
"Therep' said Barbara, with a tri
umphant grimace at her sister.
"Horrid little spoiled childp said
Maude.
"Hushl" said Mrs. Wilde, authori-
tatively. "Here comes your papa UP
the laurel walk with Captain Severn q
Lisette peeped from behind the folds
of the futed Swiss curtains, Maud ran to
the Venetian blinds of the bay window
and Barbara climbed with si&teen-yeal
old agility into chair to peep over hel
sisters shoulder.
ooh, good gracious!" cried she, drop
ping from her aerial perch with startling
suddenness.
"What is itP said Maude:
cts Squire Dallas's hired nianP'
gasped Barbara.
"Whatp' said Lisette.
ell don't mind about the first
table," said Barbara, ttrning pink and
white, like a York and Lancaster rose
4" I'd rather eat in the kitchen with
Phillis." And away she darted like q
scared young doe, before any one could
stop her.
Barbara's sisters had no time for as
constituent or remark at her strange con
duct in styling Captain Severn esquire
Dallas hired man." and suddenly con
Guiding to eat with Phillis in the kitch-
en-, ere the handsome captain was ushered
into their presence by Mr.. Wylde
Maude and Lisette were delighted with
their visitor and applied themselves to
all the arts of coquetry to win a
smile or even an approving glance from
him. But while the captain, no doubt,
appreciated their efforts to entertain
him, there seemed to be vacancy in the
social atmosphere of the apartment that
prevented a full enjoyment of the hour.
His eyes dwelt fohdly upon life-like
portrait of Barbara which hung upon
the wall opposite him, and he started
with look of expectancy every time the
doors into adjoining apartments were
opened. But no Barbara came.
At supper, through some inexplicable
freak of fate, Captain Severn was seated
next to the very place behind the tea
urn that had been assigned to Barbara
by her mother, and when he observed the
snowy napkin and delicate ring marked
Barbara" his heart beat quickly and q
smile lit up his handsome countenance
His chances at the vacant place attracted
the attention of Mrs. Wylde, who re-
marked about Barbara's strange absence,
whereupon Lisette, aiming for smile
from the captain, related the occurrence
in the parlor when their guest was com
ing up the walk-of course refraining
from mentioning her own eagerness to
catch a glimpse of him.
Captain Severn's thoughts were not
idle, and when Lisette mentioned the
term esquire Dallas hired man." light
dawned on him instantly, and he could
SCARCELY repress laughter at Barbara's in
nocenee This afforded him relief, as he
was beginning to fear that his call might
terminate before he could make the ac-
quaintance of the fairy-like strawberry
girl who had captivated his heart at the
first glance in the meadow few hours
previous.
When the evenings repast was over
and the family had repaired to the lawn,
Captain Severn's sharp eyes detected a
slight female figure in the shrubbery at
the extreme end of the garden. Excus-
ing himself from the ladies he sauntered
in the direction of the hidden young
lady. A sudden turn in the walk
brought him face to face with his pretty
berry girl, who no more wore the queenly
look of authority that compelled his
submission to her mandates in the
CduueSS anu uhA hOuS
their work.
"Go away" said Barbara, indig-
nantly.
She had cried until her eyelashes were
all glittering and her cheeks stained witt
tears, to say nothing of the crumplec
state of her sash ribbon and white mus
lin dress, and now she sat crouched under
the shadow of the great Towering al
mond bush, as if she would fain retrea
utterly out CT the world of sight anC
hearing.
Captain Severn stood immovable be
fore her, with folded arms and question
ing Spanish eyes.
~ shall not go away" said he, unit
you have pardoned me"
How can L ever pardon yot,' flashed
out Barbara. You have imposed upor
me, you have practiced on my credulity.'
You asked me to help you gather
strawberries-andI helped you
You allowed me to suppose that yor
were Squire Dallas hired man."
81 claimed 40 identity, one way or the
other" pleaded Captain Severn. | wa
trying to find my way by shortcut
across the fields to your fathers house
and sat down under the tree to rest
And when you called me came, like I
true knight of old. Now if you cal
convict me of any serious offense in al
this, l stand ready to abide the conse
quences."
You never, never, will be able to for
give me-" sobbed Barbara, again retiring
behind the end of her blue sash.
"Little Barbara" said Captain Sew
ern, falling on his knees. as if it were thu
most natural and conventional thing il
the world to do, twill you forgive meF
/ And what could Barbara say bu