The Osceola times., 1880-07-03

hut he had no clew 10 her whereabouts
Amer his marriage her father had died,
in few months her mother, and snc,
an only child, had drilled out into the
world alone, to earn her own living, he
had heard, for her father had lcft very
little property. "She may be married."
he thought, "and il not she may have
ceased 10 love me, hut she is the one
love of nv life, and II only knew where
to find her"
With these thoughts in his mind his
eyes wandered through the opon WIN
dow to the yard below. They were
back yards, but pleasant ones for all
that, with clean brick pavemenis. With
beds Of bright, fragrant summer iloWsrs
here and there, grape vines and other
shrubbery clinging TO trellises, IN oil
making . perfect picture OF summer
bloom and vcrdure. Tso or three trees
reared their beads skyvard, family sug-
gcsting tho forrest primeval" TO ihe city
doni.cns. Then he looked scross 10 .
window exactly opposite to his where 3
lady sat sewing. Ne had watched her
every day since he had been a prisoner
in that room. She piled her needle
steadily all day long with only short
intervals of absence from her room, and
must accomplish great deal he thought
he fingers aeW so rapidly. She vss
not near enough to him to discern her
features, but there WAS something in her
sir aud attitude 40 she sst at work that
interested him and made him like 70
watch her. He could perceive that she
WAS not posing for his benefit, although
she must be aware that he looked .
good deal in her direction. She was
tall and graceful, he could zee that when
she arose to walk, and there was Q GER
6in self-pos-pssion and absence of
furry that made him feel it would be
relief to his tried soul to have such a
woman near him.
Sewing! eternally sewingw he NUT
tered.
81 wonder women do not get tired to
death OF such monOtonous, confusing
work! l suppose they do. Probably
she has to earn her living that way, l
wonder il she 10 a widow" He had a
horror Of widows. Probably, not or
she would have scraped an acquaintance
before this time. wish | could have
just such neat looking woman for
housekeeper. But, perhaps distance
lends enchantment. I've . great mind
to go around and see her when | get
we'll. That house is-let me see-the
same number as this, for these streets
are numbered Just alike. But then
should not know who to ask for. Ii
would I've rather awkward to ask for the
lady who sits sewing by the window up
two flights, tor it's = lodging house,
where folks are not supposed to know
nj q
alone i'm the world, for she don't seem to
have many callers; so there would be no
use to talk about her" he thought,
spitefully, as remembering how Dora
Robinson, a spinster of forty-iivc, had
refused 10 come andkeep house for him,
. man OF tWenty-eigh for fear people
would talk. "No one would be foolish
enough to accuse me OF designs on that
ancient female" he thought, ungallcntly.
81 shouldn't think Of mcddling with my
GRANDMOTHER" The idea OF getting this
quiet, lsdy-like person across the yard
to keep house for him seemed to possess
him. 81 should think she might prefer
it to that everlasting sewing. l wish
could call across and ask her. Hang
convcntionalities! It's duced bore
when man is in my position"
A sudden gust Of summer wind, bear
ing on its wings the odor of flowers,
swept through the yards, causing the
blinds TO close with quick clatter,
stirring the grapc-vines smartlv, and
causing n small cOmmotion among the
foliage Of the trees. "Quite a little
whirlwind," he thought, and at that
moment he saw something white sail
quickly out OF her window and whirl
Enthusiastically over the yards. 1t mean
| dered fev minutes gracefully, then,
| like \ carrier dove with = message, il
| flew straight scroa to his window,
paused moment in front of it, and then
| lluttercd into his face, 1t WAS bit OF
soft, costly, delicate lace. at belongs to
her work" he thought. II wonder il she
saw where il camc?' Her head was
turned in his direction. He held up
the lace, of which there was about halt
a yard.
She nodded with a smile that showed
her pcarly teeth. wonder il they are
her own" he thought. lie saw her get
| up and put on her hat and shawl. "She
is coming" he thought "Tbis too vau-
able to lose" Before long he heard the
| bell ring. and the yirl came to tell him
| that lady at the door wanted some
| thing she could not tell what She un-
derstood her to say something about a
| bit of lace.
''Show her up," hc said, and in few
moments the lady he had 90 much de-
sired to see closer, stood in the room.
| She had bright, good-natured, psscti-
cal face: Just The iace he should suppose
would he associated with her move
ments. She WAS past her first youth,
vas probably thirty-fve He politely
asked her TO I've seated.
81 called for my lace, which the Wind
was ill.natured enough 10 carry Oh, she
said, With . frsnk smile.
Which am happy to rstnrn to you,
| he said, - he passed 1t - her.
at 10 Q email piece" shs ss,d, ''but il
il quite expensive. II bsloner TO an
other person, and il | lost il ] should
have to replace it,"
She made Q movement 10 go.
please do not hurry" he said "you
see am an invalid, and your coming il
| a break in the monotony.'
She glanced at the crutches and st hin
synpathisingly.
II have been watching you sewing
every day" he went on. Don't You get
tired Of it?"
"Yes, sometimes; but everything
grows tiresome sf,er swhile."
Wouldn't you like better to I've q
housek eeper'" he said abruptly,
/ - L.. ,.x 80.