The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1880-12-16


Something woke me from ia sound
became aware that was listening to
prattle; little voices were borne upon the
breeze, children's laughter mingling with
the ripping waves.
But every now and then there was an
other voice, not child's, yet child-like.
1t was familiar to my ears, and as I lis
tened, it's sounds woke within me chords
of forgotten music. Before many sec
onds had gone L knew it was Ems voice
[ heard.
/ rose upon my elbow quietly, so as to
make no noise, and looked over the top
Of summer house near by on to the
garden below. And there L saw her.
She was on O. seat under the trees.
About her we're four children, two boys
and two girls. They stood at her knees,
close together, watching her make a
chain of daisy flowers.
She had grown, but not mach; she was
still little maiden, and it was plain she
never would rank among big women.
She was dressed in blue-a little blue
cloth cap perched daintily upon her dain-
ty head, still poised like q queens upon
her shoulders, and blue serge dress,
which fitted better, I noticed, than her
dresses used to do. Even from where I
was 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 STEP
ped down from fairydon.
Wondering What the answer might be,
softly, hardly above whisper, L gently
called "Em!
But she, engaged with the daisy-chain
and her little ones, did not hear, and
paid no heed. SO, smiling, called q
little louder-"Em -
But still she did not hear. The daisy
chain and little ones seemed to engross
all her thoughts, and my voice blew past
her with the wind
How would it do, 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, I was just
about to rise and intrude myself upon
her presence, when / noticed the figure
of u man coming down the path.
1 had no objection to children witness
ing our meeting, though I could have
spared even them; but third party, and
he IL stranger, / did not want. So
waited until he should be gone.
He was young man, q gentleman
beyond doubt, and good-loolIing. His
was fair young face. He had promis-
ing mustache, which he tended with one
hand; and he was smoking q mighty
meerchaum.
Instead of passing, as L expected, he
stopped. leaning with one hand upon the
moss-grecn wall. There was she with
heir daisy-chain, and children at her
knees.
Just as I thought he would surely be
moving on, he vaulted lightly over the
wall, and while [ watched with angry
eyes, ran to her from behind, drew her
head back to him and kissed her twice
or thrice upon toe lips.
The blood boiled within my veins. 1
did not doubt that this was q dastardly
outrage, and my darling needed de-
fender. In minute, vengeance would
have been done, and he OF / would have
lain low.
But her answer showed I was mistaken.
"Charley," she cried, with that sweet
smile I know 30 well, chow can you kiss
me before the children?"
"Why not?" said he. "Don't I kiss
them before you?"
And to prove his words, he snatched
up little girl and kissed her again and
again, she laughing at the fun. Then he
sat down by her side, and putting his
arms about her, drew her to him. The
daisy chain dropped to her lap, and she
looked at him as though he were all the
world to her.
'tDarling!' said he, not loudly, but
loud enough for me to hear, "I have
spoken to my mother about you and me
to-day; and she thinks I am very foolish;
but since [ always have been, and always
will be 50, 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
q still softer blue upon his face. "Char-
lie" said she, care you quite sure yon
love me?"
Glove you?" he returned, and he
meant it-"my darling, more than I can
tell"
"And are you sure" she continued,
"your mother will not be angry? I 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
heart?"
And so on. The children looking on
at what was O new experience to them.
What mattered? They would have to
learn themselves some day, though they
were beginning early. And II had to
listen to it all.
have not seen her since. For some
cause her happiness stuck in my throat,
and left Ryde that evening. L may
never see her again. Ere this, doubtless,
she is another's wife. But when think
Of her, even to this hour, it is as My Lit
tie Sweetheart
'T ASSURE you, gentlemen" said the
convict upon entering the prison, chat
the place has sought me, and not the