The news., 1882-02-09

scarlet; I rubbed my lips passiouately
with my handkerchief, as Tito wipe
off the insult.
And then, half maddened BY the
noisy laughter of the crowd, the din
of jubilant voices, I tore myself from
Jonas BIake's OBTAINING hand, and
few out into the starry cold of the
outer air. Mrs. Jonas followed me.
"Olga," she cried, "what is the
matter? Come back, child"
"He has insulted mel" | sobbed.
"Insulted you7 Oh, what nom
sense, Olgal" said Mrs. Jonas, putting
her arms caressiDgly around my neck.
"He has paid you the highest compli-
ment man could pay e woman.
There's not girl in the barn tonight
but envies you, child. Don't you
know what the red ear means?"
'No," said /, looking up at her
with wondering eyes.
Mrs. Jonas laughed.
''It means that the lucky finder
thereof is entitled to kiss the prestiest
girl iD the room," said she. at has
been his privilege from time imme-
mortal; and in this it means that Wal
ter Mildmay thinks that Olga Blake
is the prettiest girl in all that crowd
of rustic beauties"
"Olga, you are not really angry
with me?"
It was Mildmay's voice, close to me-.
Mrs. Jonas made some exclamation
about the cake she had promised to
cut, and slipped away into the dark
ness, leaving us alone.
"Augry9" I repeated. eyes, I
was angry. But I didn't know-no
one had told me"
"About our rustic usuages? But
you will forgive me OlgaY"
Ny presence Of mind was slowly
coming back to me. drew my hand
away from his.
"But you didu't seriously think me
prettyf" said /.
"Do you want me to say what /
seriously did thinkY" be asked
eyes," said I, laughing. "The
truth now: the whole truth, aud
nothing but the truth"
"Theu," said he, 81 thought you
the sweetest, prettisst, most actually
perfect creature that providence ever
madel"
"Not ct ALL" rstorted, demurely.
II am stiff, ugly old maid. And
if this is the sort of girl they turn out
in Philadelphia, you prefer the coun.
try specimensI"
/ could see the color food his face,
even in the star light.
"Olgs," hesaid, "did you hear thatl"
II did hear it, Walter" responded.
II was fool, rash, tslkative, ia,
discreet foolP' said he. Whatever
my first impression may have been, I
think very differently now. Dear
Olga, may I say all that Is in my
heartl"
~ think we had better 20 back TO
the barn now" said I quickly.
Sand I think We had better not|"
pleaded Wslter, gently venturing to
desain me. "Listen, Olga. Even the
most wretched criminal that stands at
the bar is entitled to insist upon q
hearing 10 bis own defence. Shall |
be less favored than he9"
swell ! hesitated, Hif yOu hsve
really anything to say"
When we came back into the barn
the husking was over, the debris was
all cleaned away, and they were dance
ing 10 the rude music Of the band
"KillsrHsy," believe, was the air.
Ny shseks we're burning, my eyes
shone; my heart danced. also, to the
Wild, syaYing music,
Mre. Jonas Looked keealy at me,
"Ah!" said she, II thought how it
would be. You are sngaged?" Oh,
am 50 gladl For your sake, and
Walters, tool'.
"And so am l." said / quickly.
| am farmers wife now, and live
In little bro#n cottage near Sunac
Farm. And, fancifully tied with
blue ribbon, over the psrlor mantel,
hangs an ear of corn-a red ear.
And Walter says that as long as
We both live we shall have yearly
husking frolic in the new barn we are
building.
An old miner taking to a New
York reporter tells the following ex
perienoe Of Mark Twain as a schoo