The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-09-06
sheen of her silken raiment would

sheen of her silken raiment would
seem to prove.
Mans one lover was replaced by
half a score, and the fragrance ofthe
woodland fell from her garments,
and the rich silks and velvets breath
ed an odor of the world. Vet Nan
was not so much changed as would
seem. That she loved the nice
things that had fallen to her lot was
true. She enjoyed the gay life, the
consciousness of her own enhanced
beauty, and the homage it brought
Iher. The glare of lights, the crash
of music and the heavy odor of
flowers, brought pleasing excite
ment. Her.eyes were very bright,
her cheeks pink, and her laugh gay
and frequent. She enjoyed the OPP
era and the ball enjoyed her lovers
save when, waxing Over-bold, one
grew earnest, and spoke of love ;;
then the girl recoiled, and a picture
rose before her eyes of a summer
evening, western sky, field Of
golden corn, and one she could not
forget, who stood before her as the
sun went down.
1t seemed to Nan, at such times,
| that the sun had never risen in full
glory since the last summer even
ing's setting; and the lover was re-
! fused, and Mans pillow was wet
with tears while she tasted the bit
terness of her Dead Sea fruit
1t was two years before she return
ell to visit her childho0ds home
went back with the old impulsive
enthusiasm quite dead, aud the
plans for the future as changed as
was her costume.
Under the shadow Of the old ap-
ple trees in the orchard once more.
The brook still babbled noisily and
the gnarled old trees looked friendly,
and seemed to stretch out their arms
in welcome to the girl they had so
often sheltered. And the wanton
breeze lifted the little rings of curls
of the low white forehead, and kiss
ed back the pink to the pale cheeks.
What cared breeze or babbbling
brook for fine raiment ? Here she
was only Nan-just as of old. So
while the one sang sweetly, the other
caressed her softly, softly, till over
her came the sweet spell of day
that had been laid to rest.
As the sun grew low, touching
with crimson the golden corn, Nan
saw, as she used to see in those 9th
er days strong manly figure come
swinging through the orchard
Paul, surely Paul
For two years she had neither
seen nor heard from him. He, too,
had left the old sleepy village and
gone out into the the world to seek
bis fortune, and their paths had not
once crossed. But the magic of the
place was upon Nan as she sat un-
der the apple trees. and she stretch
ed forth her hand to welcome him as
though but a day had interviewed.
''How do you do, Paul ?"
How dye do Nan ?"
Then he sat down beside her, and
a silence fell upon them.
rs it not lovely ?" said Nan at
last, breaking the silence which was
growing oppressive, while her eyes
roved over the fields and rested ON
the waving trees far off to the right.
Very" answered Paul, briefly
but emphatically, his eyes fixed on
the delicate face by his side.
Il wonder if the nuts ale as plen-
tiful there as they used TO be, con-
tinued Nan.
Il don't know my appetite lor
nuts has been slightly Impaired by
years, fear"
Mine has not"
How has time affected your love
for country life Do
Tangled wood paths wet with dew
seem POLITICALLY desirable, or does
the old recollection OF drying the
cows to pasture destroy entirely the
charm OF imagery ?"
Nan glanced at her companion
hastily. A smile lurked about the
corners of his mouth, but half hid
den by his Jawny mustache.
Il mink | prefer 10 read about
them / have become less romantic
and more practical, she said grave
ly. The charm OF by gone pleas
ures come over me, sometimes, like I
d haii-iorgotten strain vi music
but tbs lost before 1t can be captured !
and made one S own. Let Us go
home. 1t grows chilly" And Nan
shlvered TO give emphasis to her /
words. Still Paul made no move,
and with his hat resting against the I
trunk OF the oid tree, he sat looking .
at her, With tile smile deepening !
about his mouth. Presently he .
spoke =
Nan, why dId YOU write me that
letter 2
No need TO >hlyer now. a rush .
OF not blood surged over iace ana
neck, and an uncomfortable feeling
OF humiliation made her warm
enough. But she answered brave
ly,-
What letter"
This drawing from his pocket
the little, pitiful plea she had sent
him a year and half ago.
Because | was homesick and
sorry--then," she replied desperate
ly, striving by strong emphasis on
then" to rob the confession OF some
of its modification. We'll" she
cried passionately, fighting hard to
keep back the hot tears that threat
ened to overflow, II wrote you that
letter more than year ago. What
have You to say? You did not an
swer it-there the matter ends"
Il beg pardon-I did answer it. "
"What ~
Il replied Immediately y
Il never got your letter"
II did not write one.
Il did not hear from you ~
II did not intend you should.
"You said"
IL said | replied at once. So
did. | came to you. Do you know