The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1881-07-05

right. Looking through the open
doorway they behel,l Miss Jessie as
she appeared at the opening Of vur
story.
Having got back to the beginning,
we take, up our story where we left
off.
The young men had just completed
their toilet when the dinner-bell
sounded. Miss Jessie, far from be-
ing ''gotten up" was simply attired
in clean, dark. calico dress, ruflled
about the breast andsshoulders. The
skirt was short, and left 10 view a
neat little foot. Her dark curls were
newly brushed. and hoated over her
pretty shoulders. Her color was
bright, Jet softened by the white rib
bons at her throat.
She evidently had not been idle
during the last half honr; and Leslie
rightly concluded that her hands had
decked the table. and added to its
pleasing appearance by the pretty
bouquet in its center.
Never had meal tasted so we'll to
hing. Already he was half in love.
The more he talked with Jessie the
more he found her lively, unembar.
rassed, and witty.
That evening Jessie sang for him.
and Leslie discovered that he was
fanliliaHwIth many Of her songs. and
so he blended his fine voice with hers,
while Fred played a flute accompani-
mcnt.
1t was late before the yonng pco.
Pile retired. When Jessie laid her
head upon her snowy pillow, it was
to fail into delicious rcverie, so that
it was impossible to tell where
thought ended and sleep began.
When the sun rose. the next morning,
he smiled on the fresh young beauty
who hal risen earlier than he. Leslie
was awaken from his slumbers by
her voice, for she sang as she hasten
ed the steps Of the slower-botcd do
mestics and lent a helping hand. x
Butt cannot describe each day, as
il tlitte1 away on the wings Of the
summer sunshine, nor how Leslie and
Jessie soon learned to love ono an.
other more than all the world besides.
Two weeks passed. They. were the
happiest Leslie had ever known
Then his sister came to make visit
to Jessie, Leslie having written to
urge the acceptance of tho invitation.
A warm friendship sprung up. at
once. between the two girls.
The summer waned, and now Les
lie resolved to know his fate from .Ies-
sizes lips, not that he was Respondent
exactly; but when she seemed to feel
his influence most, she wouid sudden
ly change and appear to defy him. &.
One day he had been out for a
walk. and on his return, he heard her
sweet voice singing. His spirits rose.
Another instant and lie would behnld
her. and alone, alas! precisely at that
moment, and just as he turned the
corner, where grew a thrifty yonng
peach-trec, he found himself deluged
BY bucket of very warm soap-suds.
aimed by vigorous young hands at the
| tree. al
Jessie, who was the offender. gazed
for an instant. astohishe,, and then
burst into laughter.
al had hoped for different kind Of
reception, Miss Jessie . said Leslie,
abashed.
"Yon mean that it was not warm
enough" laughed she, the tears iun-
ming down her cheeks Then, recov-
ering herself. she hastened to explain.
"You must pardon me-" she said. at
was quite unintentional, as you must
know. Mother has a special fancy
for that tree, and thinks soap.suds
beneficial to it, so she made inc empty
those hot suds at its roots. | did not
sec you coming, and aimed rather
high. You really must forgive me, ?
she added, with pleading yet mirih,
full glance in her eyes.
81 can forgive yod only under one
| condit;on " ba eatd IN l,,,v tono n,