The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-04
Ap Old Maps Darling.

She stood in the garden among her
flowers with the sunshine all about her;
and John Ashley, watching her from the
doorway, with curious, thoughtful ex-
preston on his face, could think of moth
ing but bird or butterfly, as she fitted
about from rose to lilac, with her yellow
curls flying about her face in cloud,
and her eyes full of sparkles like water
in shadowy places.
His years were more than double hers.
He was a man whom study had made
sober and thoughtful in early manhood.
He had a brave, strong face, with a
strange gentleness in it now, as he stood
and watched the girl in the garden. She
was the only child of an old friend of his
who had left her to him when he died;
he had accepted the trust willingly. He
had tried to be faithful to it. And he had
succeeded.
"She is growing into beautiful woman
hood" he said to himself. Some one
will be robbing me of her one of these
days suppose
He sighed little as he spoke, and the
thoughtful look upon his face grew
deeper.
"Unless =" and then he stopped sud
denly, and shook his head, as if to as
sure himself that what had been in his
mind that moment was not to be thought
of seriously.
The girl in the garden began to sing.
Her voice was clear as any birds, and
the still morning air rung with its melo-
dy. John Ashley left off thinking to
listen.
A bird perched on one of the lilac
bushes by the gate began song in pure
rivalry. 1t seemed as if he would split
his slender throat in his attempt TO out
warble the singer in the garden.
She listened moment, and began
again. She ran up and down the lines of
melody in lights and dips of sounds that
made him think of bird fitting in
mid-air.
"Bravo~ he cried, clapping his hands
as her voice died into silence, and the
bird flew up and away in the blue over
head. "You have put your rival to
flight"
"Why, John !"-she always called him
that-I didn't know any one was listen
ing"
you'd make a fortune with your
voice." he said. "But l wouldn't like tc
have you try it,"
"Why?" she asked.
"Because l don't want to lose you,' he
answered.
"You1l never be fortunate enough tc
do that" she laughed, "l'm going to stay
with you always, John"
you'll change your mind, some time,
he said, gravely, looking away toward
the mountains in that way he had wher
thinking deeply. swat till Roy comes.
81 wish Roy were here" she said, com
ing up the steps, and stopping close by
him. "You have told me so much abou
him that want to see him."
"He will be here to-day or to-mor
row." he answered, thinking that will
Roy's coming there would be an end o
the old, quiet life in which he had Staci'
all to himself.
Someway it had seemed to him al
along as if Roy would marry Stacia
They were suited to each other. H,
knew of no one he would sooner give he
to, but--and always at the thought O.
giving her up to any one there was curl
GUS little pain at his heart. He wantet
her for himself.
That night Roy came.
II like him very much she told JOIN
Ashley next morning. 1--WE shall be th'
best of friends
"Or lovers" he added, with a grave
slow smile.
"Oh, 70; only friends" she said, drop
ping her eyes before his earnest gaze
while soft color like that in a rose
heart came into face. "I'm going t.
have no lover but you, John"
"Wait and see," he answered; "yol
don't know your heart yet"
But Stacia only shook her head.
She and Roy were the best of friends
as she had said they would be. Sh'
had never known brothers love O.
companionship and Roys pleasant way
won a place in her regard from th'
first.
There were long rows on the river il
the pleasant days when all the world wal
full of summer sweetness, and walks il
the twilight. And John Ashley. sittinl