Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-01-14

A spray OF cOTai-fcQ wiz berries WHICH
l had gathered on the roadside into it,
and, knotting my loose scarlet silk
necktie under my lace collar, / smiled
TO see the soft glow of color that was
returning TO my cheeks, the brilliance
of my eyes.
My dress was Of black cashmere en-
livened here and there by bow of scar
let ribbon, instead of the gray trave ling
suit / had worn the evening before and
it fitted me as if had grown into it.
81 don't think | am quite so ugly as ]
was last night" | thought. "But if
Mr. Mildmay doesn't like me, of course
can not help it. :"
SO I went down stars, and Uncle
Blake stared at me over his spectacle
glasses.
mercy on us! p cried Mrs. Jonas;
"what has the girl been doing to her
self ?"
"Some one must have changed her
off while she slept = said Barbara, run
ming up to me and giving me kiss.
Walter Mildmay said nothing he
only drank his coffee.
How / enjoyed the next fortnight !
The weather was beautiful and balmy
beyond all description. We had nutting
expeditions, and boating parties and
long walks to gather brilliant autumn
leaves. At night we sat around the
blazing logs, and, on the few rainy days
Mrs. Jonas showed me how to make
butter, and Barbara took me up into the
great garret, where there were chests of
old relics, piles of books and papers,
and all the antique belongings of a
whole century of Blakes.
But all this time Walter Mildmay
kept his quiet distance; and, to save my
life, | could not tell whether he still
thought me ''stiti, ugly old maid, or
not.
And then came the husking frolc.
The barn was all illuminated by can
dies, stuck in tin sconces, along the
sides-I had never seen SO wild and ro-
mantle sight The neighborhood gath
cred to the gala. Mrs. Jonas and Bar
bara had been baking cake and butter
ing sandwiches all day, while Uncle
Blake had rolled barrel of sparkling
new cider close to the barn door. Merry
laughter sounded, bright faces glanced
to and fro in the Rembrandtesque light
II.
the tone of flute and tiddle-tuuing up in
the barnloft was plai4 ly audible.
had been helping Mrs. Jonas to put
the icing on the big fruit-ca which
held the ring, and it was late when /
came into the big, sweet-smelling, echo
ing barn, with my black cashmere dress
all sprinkled with cherry-red bows, and
a cluster of deep scarlet autumn leaves
ia my hair.
Here's Olga y cried my cousin Jo-
mas, cheerily. Come here, little Olga,
and sit by ME, and III give you some
ears to husk.
laughed and nestled down into the
hay, close at his side; and just at this
moment a storm of merry, rustic laugh
ter rose ON the air.
"The red ear the red earl they
cried in chorus, clapping their hands
and cheering vehemently. Walter
Mildmay has got the red ear.
looked mp al cousin Jonas, i'll be-
wilderment
"What is a red ear ?" said I.
Cousin Jonas laughed.
"What a little greenhorn it is - said
he. "The red ear is"
Just then Walter Mildmay came up
and stood before me, the rich maroon
colored ear Of corn in his hand. He
laid it down at my feet.
81 claim my privilege, Olga" he
said.
looked up at him in amazement.
II don't understand YOU" said l.
The next moment he had stopped over
me, and putting both hands lightly on
my shoulder, had imprinted kiss upon
my astonished lips.
sprang up, feeling myself glow scar
let: ] rubbed my lips passionately with
my handkerchief as ii to wipe off the
insult
GLOW dare you?" l cried. ooh, I
never will forgive you in the world
I never, never
And then, half maddened by the noisy
laughter Of the crowd, the din of iubi-
liant voices, | tore myself from Jonas
Blake's OBTAINING hand, and flew ont
INTO the starry cold of the outer air.
Mrs. Jonas followed me.
"Olga," she cried, "what is the mat
ter? Come back, child. "
"He has insulted me-" I sobbed.
- InsuIted Won? On, what nonsense,
Olga said Mrs. Jonas, putting her
arm caressingly around my neck. He
has paid You the highest compliment Il
man could pay a woman. There's not
a girl in the bun tonight but envies
you, child Don't yon know what the
red ear maaus2'
No, said I, looking mp at her with
wondering . 1es.
T.ss. l-..,E,eQ