The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-17

ing; but if you knew what a.
"Ah I" he said. in queer tone which re-
called me to myself. Was l fool, to abuse
Aunt Tabby before her lover!
The burning blush at my own awkward
ness dried the tears on my cheeks, and |
| made n motion to seize the basket and run
| away but Stephen said, in comical voice:
"You will have to put on spectacles, Miss
Cynthia, if you can't see better. Scarce one
Of these pippins but is badly specked - and
with that he proceeded to pick and choose,
keeping his back turned to me, and dried
myeyes, tried to smooth my disordered locks,
and then Joined him, and between us we
,oon had fine basketful.
Then the dozen barrels had to be inspect
cd; but this was quick work-only too
| luick, for Stephen was so quiet and so
funny, never seeming to notice my flushed,
.ear-stained face by treating me with a def
arence and courtesy that soothed my feelings,
50 that felt nothing but regret on leaving
the shady cellar for the sunshine without,
which had at first SO longed for.
Aunt Tabby's amazement, as her lover,
instead of me, brought up the apples, was
only equaled by her wrath.
"As sure as I'm alive, Cynthia, you are
the most presuming gal as ever see ~
When wrathy, Aunt Tabby occasionally
| tripped in her vernacalar.
"NIjss Cynthia is not to bame," inter
| posed Stephen, quickly, while he gallantly
stepped forward to relieve Aunt Tabby from
the pie-board and rolling-pin she had nearly
dropped in her agitation. "The truth is,
wanted to steal one of your fine pippins;
| and as | expect some of your pies at my
picnic next week, thought it but fair
| should bat help bring up the apples for
them."
Aunt Tabby was appeased; and regard
less Of patch of -four on the end of hel
nose, which impaired most comicnl eli
feet to her face, she jeSted and laughed and
smiled at Stephen, never needing me, wh'
sat in one corner by the open kitchen win.
dow, idly playing with some of the droopins
sprays Of the vine that had already begul
to decay.
was outwardly calm, for | was proud
and felt hnn,iliated to the dust for my foolsl
outburst in the cellar; but inwardly WA
groaning in spirit. To watch Aunt Tabby',
maneuyres was bad enough, bat to 81
tamely by and see how Stephen encourage
her advances
Encouraged was too strong word, l fell
in my heart; and yet when ! remembered
the thousand little nothings by which he
had won my foolish fancy-remembered
too, how all those little attentions had grad.
! dally been transferred to Aunt Tabby-I fell
bitter anger against them both, bat especial
ly against Stephen.
lie was going now, with only short
good-by to me, bat as he passed the win.
dow, he turned and looked full in my face
What he saw there | don't know, but II
curious, eager light flashed into his blue
eyes. lie bent toward me, and almost
whispered:
"Miss Cynthia, you will come to my pic
nic?"
lie waited an instant for an answer, but
as gave none, being occupied in trying t.
keep the angry tears from my eyes, he
bowed, and passed out Of my sight. Not
out of my mind, however. Perhaps !
thought Of him the more daring the next
few days, because Aunt Tabby was 50 more
than ordinarily hateful.
There seemed no end to the work to be
done, and [ never did it to please her.
Moreover, she said nothing to me about
going on the picnic, though l had been
looking forward to it for weeks.
Grown desperate at last, ventured to
broach the subject, as [ took up my bed
room candle, the night before the appointed
day.
II hope it won't be too cool for me tc
wear my pink lawn tomorrow it is the
only decent dress have" stammered out
with choking feeling in my throat.
"Cyntbia Warren, you're never such O
fool as to think you're going on that picnic!
exclaimed Aunt Tabby, turning redder thar
ever at the thought.
"Why shouldn't | go?" l answered, def.
antly. "Stephen invited me, and want t.
lance and enjoy myself as other girls do"
Stuff retorted she, sharply. ''If Ste
phen did invite you it was out of compliment
to me. You don't think he cares stray
whether you 60 or not, do you Z Leastaways
you're to stay at home and do your churn
ing-that's fat. Do you understand?'
| waited to hear no more, but rushe'
away, more miserable than | had ever beel
,, in my life.
, The wrath that filled my soul at Aun
Tabby's unkindness almost alarmed me
!. After | grew calmer l resolved that sh