The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-01
eyes, I do" said Dolly, rousing her

| OF lcr lItSH llllS us Slt BlHuttu JlIouSu
the smilax trails in the window.
John Deadwood, following in the di.
rection Of her eyes, glanced, too, just
in time to see tall gentleman lift his
hat and bow as he went jauntily past
SIS that it, said John, bitterly,
as what?' petulantly retorted Dolly
"Im sure / don't know why we are
standing here waiting for and | with
twcnty.eight bouquets to make up by
. o'clock That's all, John, | think.
| Don't forget the lilies Of the valley"
"But you haven't answered me, Dol
! ly."
"Answerod you what?'
"About the dance in the old barn, and
coming back with me when the wagon
returns at o'clock. ..
1T is quite out Of the question" said
Dolly, lstlessly.
"DoIIy"
"Well"
'You promised me years ago"
"Nonscnse, said Dolly, tlinging the
a2aleas and pinks around in fragrant
confusion. 81 was only child then. y
'But you've no right to go back on
your word, Dolly, child or no child"
81 never promised, John.
"But You let me believe that one day
you would be my wife. And I've lived
on the thought of it, Dolly, ever since.
And if this city situation of yours should
break up my LIES hope"
Don't hope anything about me,
| Johnw brusquely interrupted the girl.
Here comes a customer. Please, John,
don't stand there any longer looking like
Il ghost.
And honest, hcart-brolcn John turned
and went with heavy heart ont to where
the WAGON stood, and old Roam WAS wait
ing with housekeeping head and half
closed eyes.
at does seem to me-" he muttered be-
tween his teeth, 'that there Is nothing
left to live for any longer.
Dolly looked half remorsefully after
him.
.rve almost a mind to call him back"
said she to herself rs she picked out
bunch of white violcts for the newcomer.
| do like John Dpadwood; but | think he
has no business to consider himself en-
gagged to me, just because OF that boy
aud-girl nonsense. Ones Ideas change
as one gets ON Ill life.
And Dolly's check was like the rctlec..
ton Of the pink azaleas as she thought of
Mr.. Fitzalan and the turquoise ring that
he had given her as a troth plight.
And Mr.. Jrixham came in presently.
GIVE q note from the Sedgowlcks, on
| Fifth avenue, said he hurriedly. They
always order their flowers from Scryoss,
but Scryoss has disappointed them. They
want the house decorated for party to-
night-there's not minute to lose. I've
telegraphed to Bottoms for one hundred
yards of smilax and running fern and
one hundred poinsettas; and / think we
can manage the rest ourselves. You had
better go at once, Miss Penfeld, and
plan the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Il pretty
taste of your own-and I'll send up the
flowers with Hodges to help you"
And Dolly went, her mind still on the
turquoise ring, with band of virgin
gold and its radiant blue stone.
The Scdgewick mansion was a brown
stone palace, with plate glass easements,
and yestibule paved with black and
orange marble.
Mrs. Sedgewick, stately lady, in
Vatican wrapper and blonde cap, re-
ceived Dolly in the great drawing room.
"Oh!' said she, lifting hcrcyc-glasses,
"youre from the florists, are you:
Well, I know nothing about these things
I only want the rooms to look elegant.
Tell your husband to spare no expense.
"NTr. Frixham is not my husband. "
said Dolly
"Your father, then"
"But he isn't my father" insisted
Dolly, half laughing. He's no relation
at all. | will tell him, however
"Exactly," said Mrs. Sedgewck. 81
particularly desire plenty of white roses,
as [ am told they arc customary at thi,
sort Of affair. It's an engagement party.
"Indeed!" said Dolly, trying to look
Interested.
Between my daughter Clara and Mr.
Alfred Fit2alan,' said Mrs. Sedgewick,
with conscious complacency.
Dolly said nothing, but the room, with
its hutcd cornices and lofty ceilings.
seemed to swim around her like the
waves of the sea. And as she went ont,
with Mrs. Sedgewick still chatting about
white rose-buds and begonia-leaves, she
passed the half open door of a room, all
hung with blue velvet, where q yellow
trcsscd beauty sat smiling on low
divan, with Fitzalan bending tenderly
above her.
"He has only been amusing himself
with me-" said Dolly to herself
There was sharp ache at her heart;
but after all, it was only the sting OF
wounded pride. Thank heaven-oh,
thank heaven, it was nothing worse than
that
Honest John Deadwood was driving
old Roam steadily and solemnly along
past the patch of woods, where the vel.
yet-mossed powders lay like dormant
beasts of prey in the spring TWILIGHT
when a gray shadow glided out Of the
other shadows, and stood at his side.
".John!" she whispered.
"Dolly its never you"
eyes, John, said the girl, gently but
steadily. I'm going back home with
you" go,
God bless you, Dolly, said the young
man, feryently.
'For good and all, John, if you'll take
me-" said Dolly. slowly. 1--we had
quite enough Of city life; and ri help
you with the green houses, and I'll try
and be good little housekeeper at home.
Shall /, John?" 49,,
John put his arm around her and hug
ged her up to his side. ,.,,
"Darling!" said he, huskily, cts
most too good news to be true; but, i
my word is worth anything, you shall
never regret your decision OF this day.
So the pretty flower girl vanished ont
of the bower of smilax and rosebuds;
The Sedgewick mansion wasn't decorated