The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-08-05
HANDKERCHIEF FILTRATION.
By EDNA c. JACKSON.
CHAPTER l.

A lovely evening in early autumn
under the thick trees which shade a
quiet street in the suburbs of one of
our Eastern cities, two persons were
walking slowly, conversing in low tones.
An Unmatched couple they were. One
a school girl Of IS, with dimpled, rosy
cheeks, and clear, innocent brown eyes;
the other, q man who might have been
handsome but for the marks Of dissipa-
ton and that indcscribable mixture of
boldness and knavery which stamp on
every feature Of this class Of men the
words gambler" and ''roue." There
is a ring of hooking insinccrity in the
very tones of his voice which contrasts
painfully with the air of childish trust
and admiration with which his COM
panion regards him.
mo my angel, the time has not yet
come in which we are at liberty to de-
clare our love openly. For myself do
not fear, but your stern father, taking
into consideration the way in which we
met, might separate us forever"
:EYes, indcedn' replied the angel, with
true schoolgirl slang, 'he'd Just rave!
he is down on handkerchief flirtations;
and there is John Riley; do you know,
Alphonse, I more than half believe he
suspects something?"
There was Il start of genuine emo
ton ofsome kind from the ardent lover,
and the carefully modulatcd voice NUT
tered something which commenced
with D., but which was modified to
"darling."
"Who is John Riley?"
''Only cousin who lives with us, and
that day when I first met you he saw
me flirting, and took me home and
scolded every step of the way like a
savage. Of course I promised never to
do so again; but he looks so queer, and
tonight, when I told mother I was go
ing over to Allies to study, he asked
me if Allie and I did not do a great
deal of studying of evenings lately. T
know I blushed furiously. He is always
meddling, hate him.
Bellies heart smote her even us she
uttered these unkind words against the
good old bachelor cousin who had pet
ted and spoiled her all her life, and had
never scolded her but once. A fort
night previous to this evening he had
been Mortified at seeing Belle on her
with two other romantic young ladies,
flirting her handkerchief at some flash
ily-dressed young men on the street, in
a way t hat gave evidence Of long ex-
perience. To step out Of the store,
take Bellies arm, and walk her home to
the unwelcome music of severe scold-
ing was the work of a moment. Since
then Cousin John has rested calmly,
conscious of having done his entire
duty. If he had only known! For
since that time Bellies companion of to-
night had thrown himself in her way so
persistently, had protested such love
and admiration, and excited her imag-
;nation with such glowing pictures Of
wealth and splendor that only waited
her acceptance, that the girls silly
little head was completely turned. She
wa envied and looked upon as hero
inc by her girl confdants at school,
and they lent willing aid to plan the
meetings which took place daily.
Meanwhile the two are conversing
softly-in fact, the whole conversation
has been so exceedingly soft that will
spare the reader a repetition Of all ex-
cept the closing sentences. He holds
neI u1lupleu Hanu IenueTly us she turns
to leave him:
Tomorrow at four o'clock, then,
dearest, you will Gomez
eyes, Alphonse, but''-an uneasy
look clouding the fair face-"are you
sure it is quite right?"
Fright, my love! What wrong can
there be in cheering the loneliness of
my invalid aunt by a visit from one
whom she has long wanted to know?
You will see no one else, and I will
conduct you to your friends house be-
fore your absence is noticed"
"Dear Alphonse!' sighed the senti-
mental miss, chow hard it is that you
dare not speak to my father now!'
"Cruel!" exclaimed the adorer,
spasm passing over his face, which to