The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-04-22

Because, Dolly" said the young
man. reddening, sit reminds us of
YOU. And the meadow lark in the
@ge sings beautifully, and old red
PFlndle has spotted calf"
HAS p" questioned Dolly. in
differently.
John Deadwood looked hard at her.
Tolly," said he, ''you don't care
ior The old home any longer"
i Yes. | do" said Dolly, rousing
herself; but
-pne paused suddenly, the rosy color
rushing in a carmine tide to her
cheek .aninvoluntary smile dimpling
tne corners of her fresh lips as she
glanced through the smilax trails in
the Window.
| John Deadwood, following in the
direetion of her eyes, glanced, too.
Luz u time to see a tall gentleman
hisfmtand BOW as ke went Jaunt-
lily past.
g Is that it ~ said John, bitterly.
is what ?'' petulantly retorted
Dolly. Pm sure don't know why
we are standing here waiting now,
and l with twenty eight bouquets to
make up by two O'Clock, That's all,
John, | think. Don't forget the
lillies-of the valley"
"But you haven't answered me,
Dolly"
"Answered you what ?"
about the dance in the old barn
and coming back with me when the
wagon returns at five O'clock"
''It's quite out of the question:"
said Dolly, listlessly.
dolly"
"Well."
"You promised me year ago"--
"Nonsense!" said Dolly. fiinging
the azaleas and pinks around in fra
grant confusion. II was only child
| then"
But you've no right to go back on
your word, Dolly, child or no child"
Il never promised, John"
"But you made me believe that one
day you would be- nv wife. And
l'Ye lived on the thought Oft, Dolly.
ever since. And if this city situation
of yours should break up my life's
h0pe'-
Don't hope anything about me,
John!' brusquely interrupted the
girl. "Here comes a customer.
Please, John, don't stand there any
longer, looking like a ghost -
AUD honest, heart-broken John
turned and went with heavy heart
where the wagon stood, and old roam
was waiting with down dropping
head and half-closed eyes.
ut does seem to me-" he muttered
between his teeth, "that there is
nothing left to live for any longer"
Dolly looked half-remorSefuIIy after
him.
"I'ye almost a mind to call him
back" said she to herself, as she
picked out bunch Ofwhite viOlets for
the new conner. / do like John Dead
wood, hut think he has no business
to consider himself engaged TO me,
just of that boy.and-girl nonsense.
Ones ideas change as one gets on in
ife."
And Dolly's cheek was like the re-
Election of the pink aZaleas as she
thought of Mr.. FitzaIan and the tur-
quoise ring that he had given her as
IA troth plight.
And Mr.. Frixham came III pres.
entity.
"I've note from the Sedgwicks,
on Fifth avenue" said he hurriedly.
"They always order the flowers from
Servoss, but Serv0ss has disappointed
them. They want the house decOra
ted for party tO-night--there's not
a minute to lose. I've telegraphed
to Bottoms for one hundred yards of
smilax and running fern and one
hundred pOinsettas, and / think we
can manage the rest ourselves. You
had better go at once, Miss Penfield.
and plan the decorations-you've a
pretty taste Of your own-and I'll
send up the flowers with Hodges to
help you."
And Dolly went, her mind still on
the turquoise ring, with band OF
virgin gold and its radiant blue stone.
The Sedgwick mansion was a
brown stone palace, with plate glass
easements and a vestibule paved with
black and orange marble.
Mrs. Sedgwick, a stately lady, in
a Watteau wrapper and blonde cap,
received Dolly in the great drawing
room.
"Oh ~ said she, lifting her eye
glasses, 'you're the florist, are you ?
| 4 T L.