The daily Cairo bulletin., 1881-01-22

amazemcnt, but seeing Ollly Deauli-
full girl with golden curls, sparkling
black eyes and rosy checks, and that
she wasn't hurt, he raised his hat, and
bowing low, said with mock solemn
ity,-
III heard soft ruslling of leaves,and
10! a fairy queen has descended irom
her throne and stands before me. 1ou
are Miss Merle, are you not?' with a
mischIevous smile.
Lou blushed and stammcred assent,
mentally wishing herself miles away.
"Your brother has described you so
often that | knew | could not be mis-
taken. AIN Harry Morton, your
brothers college friend. ! was on my
way to the house, when, seeing those
cherries, and being warm and thirsty,
| could not resist the temptation of
picking a few. Miss Merle, you have
not learned yet the art Of alighting
from the branch Of II tree without
slight accidents. Allow me to restore
these cherries to the pail"
BY the time the cherries were all
picked up from the grass, Lou felt at
ease, and as they walked together to-
ward the house, they chatted quite
like old friends.
Arthur Merle was standing in the
doorway, and, when he saw who was
approaching, FASTENED down the path,
and grasping the hand of his friend,
gave il a vigorous shake.
"Why, Harry, dow do you do, old
fellow? lam ever so glad to see you,
although you have taken me by sur
prise, coming day earlier than you
wrote. am sorry you had to walk
from the station in this hot SUM-"
II did not mind the walk much. |
found it convenient to start day ear
lier, and thought [ would do so.'
81 am glad you did. | see there is
no need of introducing you TO my sis
ter, You appear TO be very well ac-
quainted." b"
Harry smiled and glanced at Lou,
who blushed a fine rose-color.
Il wonder what pranks Lou has
been up 10 now, thought Arthur, but
said nothing.
The three entered the house, and
soon after Lou escaped 10 her room,
and, girl fashion, alier all was over,
had good cry from sheer mortlfica-
tion, and then and there made a vow
never 10 climb trees any mofe-during
college vacations.
Harry Morton remained at Merle
farm q week, aud then Mr.. and Mrs.
Merle asked him 10 prolong his stay.
Finally he concluded TO stay another
week, conieS,ing TO himself that the
bright eye, OF Lou had something 10
do With his decision. The week was
most sgreeably spept in walks, drives,
and gay little evening parties.
The day before Harry MOrton's de-
parture, Lou went with him for
stroll along the river side. Before
they returned she had promised TO he
his wife. They looked SO ineXpressi-
bly, happy when they entered the
house, that Arthur Merle immediate
ly guessed the truth, and when they
were all together III the parlor, thataf-
ternoon, thinking TO tease Lou, he
said,-
isis, Harry has been telling me Of
your first meeting. A strange intro
duction, should say, but very Louie
fed"
Arthur, no more Of that" said
Harry, laying his hand in paternal
way on LOUIS shining head. This
little maiden is blessing, you cannot
deny, for she came to me from above"
Within year Harry and Lou were
married, and Lou never regretted the
weakness Of the cherry-tree branch
that brought about the strange intro
duction, for Harry told her that he
fell in love with her, as she stood there
blushing so prettily.- lVaUerly.