, 1880-08-23

l1LLlo Dtuo ClOlu oaP PotO" NnsAy
upon her dainty head. still poised like
queens upon her shoulders, and q
blue serge dress, which fitted better. l
noticed, than her dresses used to do
Even from where I was l could see her
blue eyes flashing and that wonderful
smile upon her face. She was certainly
prettier than of old, and she still looked
like maiden stepped down from fairy
| dom.
! lay still and watched, content to be
near her. knew I had but to open
nv lips. and she would be with me on
the instant. But 1 did not choose. I
preferred, like child, to play with
pleasure, spinning it out to It's full
length. 1t was summers ecstasy,
and for while would not break the
charm. But then the thought came to
me, what would she do if she knew I
was there? Wondering what the an
swer might be, softly. hardly above, a
whisper, l gently called EN- J! But
she, engaged with the daisy sy-chain and
with her little ones, did not hear and
said no heed. So, smiling as watched
her, q second time l called q little
louder" EN- + But she did nst hear.
The daisy chain and little ones seemed
to ergross all her thoughts. and my
voice blew past her with the wind.
How would it do, l thought, since she
was so obstinately deaf. to rouse her by
confronting her? If she would not
hear, she should see, and her eyes, if
not her ears, be opened. With some
such fancy, was just about to rise and
intruae myself upon her presence,
when I noticed the figure of a man
coming down the path.
had no objection to children wit
Messing onr meeting, though could
have spared eren them; but a third
party, and he stranger, l did not
want. So waited till he should have
gone. He was young man, gen
tIemau, beyond doubt, good looking,
dressed in a gray suit of Scotc h twead
and bright red necktie. His was
fair young face. He had promising
mustacne, which he tended with one
hand; and he was smoking mighty
meerschaum. Instead of passing, as !
expected, when he reached the wall
he paused and looked at the group
within. There was |. peeping over the
dering what kept him there. There was
he, leaning with one hand upon the
moss-g green wall. There was she, with
her daisy chain and children at her
knees. Just as thought he would be
moving on, to my surprise he vaulted
lightly over the wall, hiding behind
the very summer-house on which l sat.
Then quickly and quietly, he passed
} from tree to tree, as though he wished
to do so unobserved, until at last he
was behind where the unsuspecting
maiden sat.
While l watched with angry eyes, he
darted from his hiding place, ran to her
from behind, drew her head back to
, him, and kissed her twice or thrice
upon the lips. The blood boiled within
my veins. I did not doubt that this
was a dasts I'd oItr age, and that my dal-
ling need. d . defender. In q minute,
vengeance would have been done, and
he or would have been lain low. But
her answer showed / was mistaken.
Charlie r cried she, with that sweet
smile I knew so we'll; how can you
kiss me before the children y
why not ?" said he. Don't kiss
, them before you?" And to prove his
words, he snatched up little girl and
kissed her again and again, she laugh
Jig ut the fun. Then he sat down by
, her side, and putting his arms about
her, drew her to him. TIE daisy chain
dropped to her lap. and she looked ut
him as though he was all the world to
her. Darling" said he, not loudly.
but loud enough for me to hear, "
have spoken to my mother about you
and me to-day; and she thinks 1 an
very foolish; but since 1 always have
, been, and always will be SO, she thinks
l may as well take you to be my little
wife-though you will be very foolish
for letting me"
Her answer was to lay her head upon
his shoulder, and flash her blue eyes
with a still softer blue upon his face.
Charlie y said she, care you sure
you love me?'
Love you?" he returned, and he
, meant it my darling, more than ]
can tell !"
And you are sure" she continued,
"your mother will not be angry? ]
could not bear to anger her."
"Angry?' said he, closing her lips
With kisses. Who, in all the world
could be angry with my Little Sweet
hearth"
And so op. The children locked on,
at what was new experience to them
What mattered? They would have to
learn themselves, some day, though
perhaps they we're beginning early.
! And IL had to listen to it all. Vine
could have shown himself, placed as
, was, at such time? They cooed and
cooed, and made love as love has so oft
been made, until the afternoon was
spent, and then they went. And was
free to go as we'll. Was disillusioned