The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-04-03
s.porbsns - he answered with his ewes on

''Perhaps," he answered, with his eyes OF
the blue line of the hills.
mo, don't want any in my hair" Mar
gerry said, and she would not have then
! there. she took one, and let it lay agains
her ewes while she closed them and though
of many things.
Presently, John woke from his reverie ano
came to earthly things.
ii believe 1 promised you row this morn
ing, Elfe," he said, turning to the girl, a:
| she stood braiding the roses into chain. ~
am ready to fulfill my promise if you are.'
"I'll be ready in a minute" she said, and
ran away for her hat.
Somehow 1 can't make it seem that Is
wears have been added to our lives since we
| used to go drifting down the river together
he said, coming to Margery's side. Are we
always to go drifting down through life alone
Margery2"
She lifted her eyes that were almost
frightened ones to his for moment. Was
he trying to wiring her heart? He was 50
cruel, cruel.
Yes, 7 suppose so," she answered, in a
tone that was full Of the WEAKNESS she could
not conceal land it is better so, perhaps"
you don't mean that" he said, bending
to pick up the rose she had let fall. Drifting
alone Is dreary, dreary tnlnS.
do you think so2" she said, with an effort
to appear at ease. perhaps there Is some
one somewhere in the world who would drift
with you, if you could find her."
"Do you know where she isl" he asked,
bending down till she could feel his breath
upon her cheek, as they heard Elites step
upon the stairs "Who is she, Margery?"
How should known" she answered, with
"A foroad fvaitv ssYou rnust .aaE hpr 10 Won
would find her. If knew though, would
tell YOU
He looked ut her in a puzzled way. He
could not understand her. A moment ago
he would have sworn that she loved him.
Now her face was like a mask, and appar-
emily she was thinking as little of him as Of
thaSphinx.
al aIn ready, "Elfie said, and then he
turned and joined her on the steps. And
Margery watched them with weary pain
in her eyes, She believed he loved this girl
The sun was shining on the river as if the
clouds were sitting gold-dust over each rip
ple AS Margery sat down on the bank and
began to read. 1t had been lonesome day
to her. Ellie had come home with q head
ache, and every body else had gone away.
She had tried indoors, but the afternoon lam
guor prompted her TO take her book and seek
some spot where there was less of u lotus
spell on everything. She opened her book
at little poem of Philip Marston's called
"Ungathered Love-" 1t was quaint, sweet
little thing-sad as winds in Autumn-time.
and in perfect accord with her thoughts. As
she read the tears crept up into her eyes, and
when she had finished it the river and the
world beyond it was hidden in mist.
The plash of oars roused her, and she saw
John Cramer drifting down the river at her
feet.
"You here, Margery?" he cried. "And
crying? What are you reading that has
touched you so?'
He gave his boat turn and shot it in
among the lilies by the bank before she knew
fairly what he was doing, and was standing
by her with her book in his hand, and read
softly one little verse of the poem:
"when the autumn winds go wailing
Through branches yellow and brown,
When the gray, sad light is failing,
And the day is going down,
hear the desolate evening song
OF q love that boomed In the early spring.,
And which no heart had for gathering"
"Margery," he cried, suddenly, "is there
any love for me in your heart that l can
have for the gathering? l am tired of drift
ing alone. Will you drift with me down
the river?"
ado you mean it, ,Iohn?" she cried with
glad, eager light in her eyes. "Are you sure
you want me?"
81 want you," he said, simply, and he
knew by the look in her face that he could
gather love in her tender and faithful heart,
and he bent and caught her in his arms, and
kissed her.
And they went drifting down the river
in the waning day and touched the happy
shores of thee nchanted land.