Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-06-22
MAYS MISSION.

little room in her mothers cottage, with
pen, paper and ink spread before her.
and though her eyes we're intently gAE-
ing through the open window she saw
neither the bright flowers in the care
fully trimmed little garden nor the
-heecy clouds sailing in the blue sky on
the distant horizon, nor heard the Low
buzz OF the bee fitting from rose to rose,
nor the loud song of the robin 10 his
mate. The sun glinted her hair With
fecks Of gold, the summer breeze ca
ressed her temples, but for once the
girl was deaf and blind to all save one
great purpose, one absorbing thought.
A week before she had met Vernon
Wilbur. Picnics were favorite sum
mer dissipation in the quiet little
country town where was May Brown
ing's homo, and it was at one OF these
fate had thrown her and Vernon Wilbur
together. He was Q stranger, spending
few weeks At the small hotel in tho
village, which occasionally attracted
summer guests.
AT first something in his light blue
eyes had repelled rather than attracted
her; but IS they ssuntered together
through one Of the leafy paths. and he
had told her how as soon as he had seen
her he had wished and asked to be pro-
sented 10 her, and conHded to her how
few people in the world possessed for
him tho subtle chord of sympathy. abe
began to believe she had done him gross
injustice, aud was quite convinced shs
never before had met 20 charming
man.
OF course this sweeping assertion did
not include Dick Travers. tor ahs and
Dick we're engaged to be married. In
deed, Dick talked OF the fall n The
proper time for the wedding to take
place, though as yet she had not givsn
her consent to such speed.
She knew nov that it Was impossible.
for in this one short week she and nr.
Wilbur had held many long. conRden-
tisl talks. He had told her thai he
wrote. and was poet-that every oos
in life should have : mission, and that
he was quite sure she could make Der
name famous by her pen-that he saE
the inspiration Of poetry in her eyes.
II his words were true Ahe had Won
derful difficulty in getting the s&id IN.
Spira'ion any further than her eyes, for
ii was at this task she was ocoupasd on
this lovely July day.
May |" called her mothsr's voice.
"Will you come down, dear. and help
me she'll the peasp 1t is wash day. you
know, and Mary has not time"
S1ell the Peasl On, what fall from
the clcuisl
And May, usually 30 bright md
ready, slowly put away her writing mn
serials and, with decided pOat On The
.sveet red lips, slowly descended the
stairs.
Her task finished, 9 saddss shadow
fell athwart the window, through which
was thrust . handsome. closs-cropped
head, and tEo laughing, brown syes sur-
veyed the interior, while = ohee.y voice
broke the silence.
"Pve come to take Jon for . drive.
May. It's too lovely day for in n-doorA
Come, get your has, dear. and lot ~ ba
or"
"Not to day, thanks. DiokT- ahs
answered, indiffsrently. "It was very
kind in you 10 come, but tPvesomsthing
particularly wish to do this afternoon
Not drive, MAyi Why, what i 10
be done2 1 will wait for you = ltttls
while II it is important"
Don't wait. can't 60"
"Ive hardly seen anything Of you fos
aweek, Nay. Last night that WiIbus
follow deliberately outstayed mo. He'd
have had harder work. but thai h
made me mad and jealouA How or
you tolerate him Mayf Thsre isn't n
inch of real manhood about him. ysl
you smiled on him, and encouraged hiH
to stay until I could stand il no longer,
. and loft him free field"
1--WE saw your temper, Dick. YoI
need not Fecur to Il. Mr.. wilbur sait
II vas greatly 10 be regretted you wer
so rash and hot-headed."
"Mr. Wilburl Confound him WIS
right has he TO express any opinion @
me to you? II you loved me. May, 70
would not have listened 10 l."
For oil reply the girl exaspsraiingil