The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-12-01
AN APRIL SHOWER.

| AN APRIL SHOWER
l"Raining again ~ said Clifton Du-
rande- ''Well. might havo expected
it this shiny, showery weather."
The woods were all misty with the
tender budding green Of the spring
foliage. Under foot crept the pink,
perfumcd stars Of tho trailing nrbuius.
while in sheltered hooks, where moss
cnameled bouiders kept off the keen
west wind, and the sunshine poured its
baliny gold. the violcts were covering
the dcad leaves with their dainty car
pet of blue embroidery.
| Down in the ravine a miniature wa
terfan kept up its musical plant, and q
brown trout-stream wound and twisted
among tho roots Of tho trees, so exquis-
itely Transparent that one could SEQ the
very stones and pebbles at the bottom.
ltwas a picturesque little glen enough.
and Durande was considerably annoyed
At having TO fold up his portfolio before
he had half completed his sketch.
Il suppose it is ( good mile and q
half to the village inn." said lie to him
self. 81 wonder if there is farmhouse
nigh ut hand where can find tempor-
arv shelter"
Even rs he stood hesitating and
watching the brilliant fall Of sparkling
drops against the background OF purple
black clouds, the bOwery screen of
branches was parted, and light figure
came down int tho path-a xold-hair-
ed. deep-eyed girl of eighteen, with =
brown calico dress, tiny linen frills at
neck and wrist. and carrying in her
hand gypsy bonnet. half filed with
Wild flowers.
She paused and locked gravely at
him. Ho lifted his hat with native cour-
tesy. ,,.,
.'it is raining" said she gravely.
''You will get wet.''
''UnfOriunately. yes" ho responded.
Perhaps yoa can tell me of some place
near by in which can take shelter?''
There is farmer Dakin's barn." said
the woodland apparitiOn; '.but it is on
tho other side of the river, aud the roof
leaks like M seld sieve. And there is
oar house just over the edge OF the
hill. think you had better go to our
house."
IF you will kindly admit me there"
said Mr.. Durande. II am"
"Oh. know who you xre." said the
girl. with little deprecatory motion of
her hand. ''and Pm worry sorry for you,
~uccu, ouu Piooso' Win IoVoiS hui
tering color coming and going in her
cheeks. II should like to be j our friend.
if you will allow me-"
with the greatest pleasure in the
world" said Mr.. Durande, waxing
more and more bewildercd.
Then come this way" said the
-nymph. floating gracefully on before.
the purple black clouds forming back
ground for her exquisite face and fig
ure. and the trees weaving an arch
overhead.
Clifton Durande was no contempti-
BILE pedestrian. but he soon found that
he was compelled to use every effort to
keep up with the girl.
Il do not know whom / am to thank
for all this Kindness" said Durande. q
little constrainedly. when they had
reached the house. "It Is raining very
hard now. and should scarcely have
known where II find . shelter
II am Matte Willett" said the girl.
with unconscious dignity. 'Are you
very tiredf Please take this cushioned
chair-it is ensier than the other. Sit
down. and will bring you some bread
a7d milk presently
Clifton Durande looked around him in
. sort OF pleasant bowilderment F.ow-
ers were .blosaoming in the Windows
pink primroses, sweet-scented gerani-
ums and velvet-petalled monthly roses;
engravings, framed in pine cones and
rustic work. hung on tho walls; bird
warbled in its cage, and blue-rib-
boned guitar lay on :he chiniz-covrred
lounge, close beside . work basket full
of sweet feminine belongings.
"AmI in enchanted land" he asked
Hs III sYo THE sS1Adops, vvfnvaIa
Arcadia Of tho nineteenth century,
where wood-nymphs take pity upon the
bclated travellers, and all tho world is
hospltaiityr'
He looked at pretty Matte Willett as
she came into the room with bowl of
milk and some slices Of homo baked
bread. with evident admiration.
'.You are an artistp" said he.
mo" said she.
eat least you admire fine pictures7"
with a glance At the walls.
.:Do you draw or sketchp" he asked.
''Oh. no."
did you ever trya"
..How shy she is," he thought; 'and
how beautifully her hair grows On her
forehead-real Scotch gold in its tinis!
/ Wouder how l shall manage to draw
her out?''
Matte Willctt might have been shy
perhaps she was-but she moved about
the room with all the quiet sclf-posses-
sion of an empress. and as Jurande's
eyes inveluntarily followed her. ho be-
eame moro and more impressed with
the odd fancy that he was in an en-
ehanted realm.
why don't she talkp" he thought
81 will make her talk
At that moment, however. a sudden
thunderbolt seemed to clcave the air
with it's force. the air was all a.quiver
with blue fire. and the rain began to
descend in almost perpendicular sheets;
and Miss Willett. still moving in the
slow, graceful manner which was en-
tirelv devoid of anything like furry or
turmoil, passed leisurely into the other
room.
.'Charley p' she cried on; joyfully, as
If welcoming some one who had just
entered from the outer door. Il am
so glad you are safe here at last. /
have been 30 troubled for fear you
should get wet"
'.Whos Charley, confound him -
thought Our artist. y sudden chill conf
Ing ov0r ne sunshine OF his self-cOm-
plaeenc5. '.And why does she well
come him in that enthusiastic way. as
different from ths way she speaks to
mo q. electricity is from snow? She
has got soul and heart; she isn't q
mere beautiful automaton. Who is
Charley. anyway?'
..Wetr Ip'' echoed dcop. CHEEKY
voice. ..No danger in the world of
that. little Mat! But who have you got
in the sitting-roome saw = mans
head as passed around the corner Of
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