The Osceola times., 1881-07-02
flsving got back to the beginning, We

nsving got back 10 the beginning, We
take up our story where we left of.
The young men had Just comple'eo
their toilet when The dinner-bell sound
ed. Miss J, ssie, far from being gotten
up," was simply a'tired in a clean. dark,
calico dress, iuilled about the breast
and shoulders. The skirt was short, and
left to view neat liItle foot. Her
dark cuTls were newly brushed, and
hoated over her pretty shoulders, Her
color was bright. yet sVftenod by the
white ribbons at her throat.
She evidently had not been idle during
| the last half-hour; and Leslie rilhtly
! concluded that her hands had decked
the table, and added 10 its pleasing ap-
pcarance by the pretty bouquet in It's
center.
Never bad meal tasted so we'll to him.
| Already he was. halt in love. The more
| he talked with Jessie the more he found
| her lively. .unembarrassed, and witty.
That evening Jessie sang for him. and
| L slie discovered that he was familiar
NTH many of her songs, and so he
hlendeC his fine voice with hers, while
| Fred played a flute accompaniment.
1t was late before the young people
retired. When jessie lad her head
upon her snowy pillow, it was to tall into
delicious reveiie, so that 1t was impos-
sible TO tell where thought ended and
sleep began. When the sun rose. the
next morning, he smiled on the fresh
Young beauty who had risen earlier than
her. Leslie was awakened from hr
slumbers by her voice, for she sang as
she FASTENED the steps of the slower
footed domestics and lent helping
hand.
But cannot describe each DAY, as it
fitted away on the wings of the summer
sunshine, nor how Leslie and Jessie soon
learned to love one another more than
all the world besides.
Two weeks passed. They were the
happiest Leslie had ever known. Then
his sister came to make a visit to Jessie,
Leslie having written to urge he accept
ance of the invitation. A warm friend-
ship sprung up, at once, between the two
girls.
The SUMMER waned, and now Leslie
resolved TO know his fate from Jessie's
lips, not that he was despondent exactly;
but when she seemed to feel his iHtlu
rncA most, she would suddenly change
and appear to DEFY him.
Oue day he had been out for a walk,
and on mis- return, he heard her sweet
voice singing His spirits rose. Another
instant and he would behold her, and
alone, Alas! precisely at that moment,
and just as he turned the corner, where
grew thrifty young peacn-tree, he
found himself deluged by bucket of
very warm soaD.suds, aimed by vigorous
young hands at the tree.
jessie, who was the offender gazed for
an instant, astonished, and then burst
into laughter.
IL had hoped for different kind of
reception, Miss jessie" said Leslie.
ahashed.
"You mean that it was not warm enough,
laughed she, the tears running down her
cheeks. Then, recovering herself, she
hastened to explain. "You must pardon
me-" she said. at was quite uninten-
lional, as you must know. Mother has
special fancy for that tree, and thinks
soap-suds beneficial to it, so she made
me empty those hot suds at ITS roots.
did not soe vou coming, and aimed rath.
er high. You really must forgive me-
she added, with pleading yet mirthful
glance in her eyes.
Il can forgive you only under one
condition" he said, in low tone, as he
audasiou,ly seized her hands.
She tried to escape but he held her
fast. And there we drop the curtain,
orlv snr'r" 'ha' Jessie Is to be married
on her 18th birthday.
Fred anu Eiltn ~Iil not wait so long,
The preparations are now being made
for their wedding. which will have taken
place long before Jessie's.