The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-04-13

tent of the evening; and the wearied
girls were left in peace for the night.
1t was only as Mdlle. Leo was on the
point of sinking to sleep that she re-
membered her promise to the strange
young man. She threw on few
clothes, a long cloak, made some hasty
excuse in careless way, and slipped out.
The heavens were dark purple and
starlit; the grass was dewy, the crickets
chirped from the marsh, the woods at
the fence-corner were all in shadow.
She felt strange, uncanny, as she trod
swiftly across the field. She saw no
one as she slipped under the fence,
among the trees. "Gone, of course;
might have known said she, and then
suppressed a shrek as hand came on
her arm.
"What, did brighten you?"
"a little, said she, painting. "Well,
what is it you wished to say? For |
shall be missed.n
"Why, THAT isl thought-per-
haps.we might contrive some way to
better your affairs, you know" said
the young man, stammering awkward
ly. Again Mdlle Leo's eyes ran him
over keenly, inquiringly, somewhat at
fault.
There's no prospect of doing that"
she answered, slowly picking the green
moss from the top rail. q suppose
my fate is settled. Unless - She
stopped.
"Unless you leave" supplemented
the young man. "Well, why don't
you? Couldn't you get some place
somewhere?n
How could l? Where's my recon-
mend? And who would take in circus
rider?" said the girl, scornfully.
A good many" said the young
man, leaning on the rail and looking
her full in the face. She turned half
away, feeling an embarrassment quite
new to her; for Mdlle. Leo, though not
over-bold, was usually self-possessed
enough.
"What is your name?" said she at
length.
"Lonsdale Henderson. And am
farmers son from down in Maine. |
have a nice farm of fifty acres, and
some other property left me by my
parents, who are dead. | have good
woman to keep house and do the hard
est work. 1t is pleasant home, and |
think if anybody loved the country
they'd be happy there. Do you love the
country?"
Il think should" said Mdlle. Leo,
in low tone.
"Then will you 90 down in Maine
with me? Will you marry me, | mean?
That's what l wanted to ask you,"
blurted out the young man, with very
red face.
For once the danseuse was dumb
founded. She had no word to say. BY
and by she found voice to answer: Il
think you are bewitched. A great
many are. With the circus and things,
and dancing, | mean. And | don't
know the least thing about the work a
farmers wife would have to do"
"Do you think you could like me?"
asked Mr.. Henderson.
Il think SOL she answered, shyly.
"Then will you come? AS for the
work, [ mean to keep the woman, and
you can learn whatever you want to. |
kind o'-well-took notion to YOU on
the street this morning. / think we'd
get along together. I'm not hard
fellow to live with, and people up my
way say I'd make good husband. I'd
do my best, any way. Come, say you'll
try me-
Seems to me you're not very wise.
You don't know a thing about me- said
Mdlle. Leo, after long pause of bewil-
dered CONSERVATION.
"No. Well, I'll run the risk. A
body wouldn't think, to look at you, but
what you were everything you ought to
be. As for the wisdom-I think we
shall suit each other"
Mdlle. Leo thought to herself that
this remark, on so short an acquaint-
ance, savored nothing of wisdom. In
the worlds ways the girl was wiser than
the man. Still, she would prefer him
to any of the men she knew. In the
quiet of his PARKWAY Maine village he
had kept his purity of heart. She looked
him frankly in the eye.
81 have always been good girl-rll
take my Bible oath to that, if you wish
but the Lord knows how much longer
| shall be one if stay in this business.
Well, | will go with you. But We'll be
married before we start, or I'll not stir
an inch.'
She did the best and only thing that
she could. If-as she believed-the
young man meant honestly, she would
never have another such chance. If he
didn't she would leave him and do the
next best way.
"Of course we WILL" said Lonsdale
Henderson. 81 will get the license to-
morrow, and tomorrow night
I" Let me contrive that" said Mdlle.
Leo. "If l only knew / was of age
but | don't. l must be either seventeen
or eighteen. Anyhow, we must not 90
by public conveyance. Can you find
the way to Maine by road? And ride
bareback?'
-" Did you ever see farmer boy that
couldn't ride any way? And l guess |
can get my bearings" said Mr.. Hen
derson. "But you haven't any horse"
Eyes, have. Or it ought to be
mine. The old man received 500 or
$500 with mel don't know from
whom.-I never had penny of it. and
have earned for him all my life. Never
mind; you come here tomorrow night,
about this time, and Wen go to the
minister's. Wen be miles away before
morning" ...
Tho vOunr man aSsontad PIT bo