The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-07-09

ssI hope she Is not dead, Il vensared
again. e sau
"And he answered in the same Quiet
way, never heard Of her death
Is she marriedr P I asked, bluntly.
&c presume 50 don't know ne an
swered, . tribe less calmly.
"'The ribbon i faded; Twill bring
you fresh piece, and pat this in the nag
bag / spggssted
But be shook his head decidedly. "a
new piece would not be the same he an
swered, grsvely.
This il slight foundation on which
to rear . romance, but have always be-
heved there is . memory of the past con-
nected with the faded ribbon and sunny
hair. Hal, with all his bravery, is a shy
man. He would be ike Miles Standish,
whom he is always qu0eing, in leve and
In war. don't believe he ever heard
that terrible No from the lips of the
woman who had sunny hair and wore
pale ribbons, but can fancy him losing
his chance, and letting some other man
win her. You see, he would have only
himself to blame, and would go on re
membering the past dream with dreary
kind of pleasure. Still, I always expect
to see him married. Home and wife are
the Just deserts of men like Hal"
The man of whom Ahis cheerful pnouh-
ecy was made was on his way to an up
town residence, in no enviable frame of
mind.
"It's absurd of Joshua's wife to send
me on this errand," he was thinking. 81
am sure to blunder. Let me see-paper,
paint, walls, closets and sewer gas were
the items of special Importance.
"What pleasant looking house." he
thought, a. he ascended the steps of the
residence designated in his brothers tele-
gram. In the hall he carefully noted the
wall from floor to ceiling, looking closely
at the paint, and made an inventory Of
closets at the back of the hall. Then he
was admitted into the parlor, and saw At
q glance that the arrangement was such
as Mrs. Maclane desired. A faint perfume
of violets was pleasant odor to inhale
when he feared to encounter sewer gas.
He glanced at the wall and then his eyefell
on lady who advanced from the rear
room, and exclaimed, Mr.. MacIane I"
my old friend Reby!" he responded,
as he took her hand. "This is an unex-
pected pleasure"
There was genuine pleasure on both
sides, if sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks
were signs of pleasure then each sur
veyed the other with glances half ques-
tioning and half apprehensive as they
exchanged ordinary remarks and Henry
Maclane explained his erTsnd.
"My sister occupies the house, and will
show it to you presently" said the lady.
"Do you want it furnished as you find
it ?''
Henry Maclane looked at thsfair woman
sunny hair waving over her forehead
clear blue eyes looking searchingly into
his at one moment and looking shyly
away the next, lips moving nervously as
if she were mastering some emOtion--and
he replied emphatically, Just ~ it 10 p
"There is pleasant view from the
back windows" said the lady, leading the
way to the rear room.
"Very pleasant" said Henry Maclane,
but he had given only glance outside,
and was gazing down on the fair-haired
woman, standing little lower than him
self Then he fell to asking questions
about her family and mutual friends and
all the time he had the air of q lawyer
who asks indirect questions, hoping to
elicit some unknown facts.
Mamma" called q childish voice in
the hall.
The fair lady stepped to the door and
said gently: Go to the nursery, Hal"
Henry Maelane started at the sound of
the name he always bore in his own home.
Had it been given to the child for sweet
remembrance sake The thought that
this remembrance must count for naught,
if there were husband and children, had
in it the sadness of ''it might have been"
The years must have brought many
changes to you," said Henry Maclane,
with view of gaining some personal
knowledge.
"Yes, !" answered the lady, with amedi-
tative look on her face, there are few
reminders even of the old days left l
have had my share of Joy and sorrow"
Henry Maclane noted, what he had not
seen before, that there was mingling of
Grape in the lady's black dress. "Perhaps
she is widow" was his thought.
"My mothers death last year was the
greatest affection have ever had" she
said, sadly.
"Not q widow r" was Henry Maclane's
mental comment. The lass of her hus-
band would have been q greater afiictlon
to this woman than the loss of her mother"
There was pause, and Henry Maciane
said: You must know Mrs. McC Ciane.
She will give any friend Of mine s'warm
welcome"
Certainly" |" replied the lady. 1t will
be . pleasure to know her. Ahi here il
my sister, Mrs. EIlis. Sue, don't you re-
member Mr.. Maclanef''
Remember him2 What, Hal, our.
most devoted attendant and dearest friend 2
Upon my word, a hadn't any dearer friend
In those days, exclaimed the lady, in .
yolubie way he remembered we'll. How
glad ann TO see you'll The servant told
me gentleman was waiting 20 be shown
the house. little dreamed Of fading IN
old friend in the househunter. Are you
. judge Of houses ?" she asked, in prac-
tical way.
"I fear not; but Mrs. MacIane was un-I
able to come, 40 one Of the children was
i'll, !" replied Henry Mseiane
aHew many children arc therer" asked
Five answered Henry Maclane..
Mrs. Kllis procesded Immediately 70 the
busincss in kand. Ilwill show ven the
upper storissif yoaSlikesto look.m a
s Mn. Ellis ennmeEated. tha good points
Of the .house with the volatility Of Q