The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-12-20
AT LAST A HERO
By vIXIL DUHRING.

81 wish / could see real live hero"
and Frederetta Floyd closed her richly
bound Tennyson and leaned back in her
chair. eff I had lived in those days of
knightly chivalry, how proudly l should
have bent my head to wear the jewel of
love bestowed upon me by such "a
Ceraint, Laucelot of the Lake, Sir Gala
had, but the sighing swains of to-day
substitute words for deeds, and, If tested,
would not turn finger should it en-
danger their precious lives. Pshaw; it
makes me impatient to compare them ~
and che rose from her chair enereetically
and waIKed Bcross the room 20 the west
ern window, where the mysterious,
silent beauty of a September afternoon
wrought itself into the surrounding land
sesPe
"And do you think the nineteenth
century deficient in heroes 90
She turned quickly at the interroga-
ton from the reclining form on the
lounge. She may have felt slightly
guilty, for her remarks had been a tacit
condemnation of that person. But she
flashed out excitedly
eyes, do think the present age de-
ficient in heroes. / am affirm believer
in the good old times"
A pair of deep blue eyes looked at her
with something of admiration IN thelI
unread depths, and a gentle, with a
rather pale but handsome face, and a
slight, elegant figure, rose from the sofa
and walked across to her side at the
window. She looked almost scornfully
at the-it seemed 10 her-effeminate
man beside her. Would he ever drop
this unruffled mien AT j do something
she did not care wha that would be-
token energy?
"Well, there is no use in getting cross
over it," he said, coolly; well have to
take the world now as we find it. Come,
get your hat and walk with me" laying
his hand on her shoulder half caressingly.
"These rare days will pas all too soon,
and we shall not have enjoyed them
thoroughly"
Something in his touch shot through
her little electric thrill. She did not
know the latent power he held over her ;
dimly shadowed forth as yet, it irritated
her-when he willed, it weuld control
her. A casual observer would pro-
nounce her the most positive character
of the two, physiognomist would pro-
nounce differently.
They stepped out into the golden air,
and walked Ieisurely to an arbor at the
foot of the garden. He was friend OF
her brothers, and Frederetta wondered
what Will found in him so attractive
Only q few days of their vacation re.
manned, and then they would 90 back to
the city.
Everett Reynolds had found hil
| friends home singularly attractive, made
so by the presence of Frederetta, whose
wayward moods he loved to study
though he knew it not.
Her book which she had brought aIons
with her lay on her lap. She threw of
her hat on the rustic seat, and Everett
looking at her with half,closed eyes
thought within himself how fair sht
looked with the checkered sunlight
caressing her low brow and bright brown
hair, her white dress and pink ribbons
investing her with the charm which be
coming dress gives to woman.
"Won't you read to me ?" he asked 8
length.
s'You do not admire Tennyson ?" lift
ing her lashss to let her eyes rest upo1
his face. "You always rate him low whel
l speak in his favor"
6You are mistaken. do admire him
and / think nothing finer than tn
'Idvis."
He took the book and began to turi
the leaves. Frederetta eyed him anx
iously; it came to her suddenly tha
more was here than met the eye. II
passed the book to her o len at Enid
eYou like that ?" she asked; eth
dutiful wife who questioned not he
lords right to command Il speak noi
but obey" with defiant laugh. "Yo
will find her like as rare nowadays &
the brave knights OF the Table Round
"You may sometime find that neithe
are so rare as you suppose but pleas
go on"
: And she did so, until ceming 10 ii
insults heaped upon the gentle ENID
through the jealousy of her husban,
She closed the book, saying, angril,
''Tha poem always proves too much Fl
my patience r
"Ah, but il you want those bra,
Knights of olden times you will have
wink at such exhibitions of their lord
! requirements, and drop your modern W
mans rights idess. 1t seems they exacts
, something in return for their wonde-ol
deeds OF chivalry."
There was an air of sarcasm, quiz.
E cal tone, that nettled her, but she co
t cealed the feeling and said, laughingl,
! ssYou and can not discuss this questi1
t without quarreling; suppose we dr'
! it?''
) aAnd you are not going to fini
ENID p" He reached for the clos