Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-13

stay, SaiO his Ifien0
HE came to go, replied his antagonist.
Il will go you box ont" said the confident
man.
"a dozen is all want" was the reply.
And then. with many g0od-natured comments,
the neighbOrs mounted their horses and rode to
their several homes. Many of the elder and
most Of the young men and women ride on
horseback and are well mounted and expert
hOrsemen.
H.
WHAT VILLA DID, AND HOW SHE DID IT.
In one direction the forest approaches the
little vile to within 400 or 500 yards Toward
this lay the young girls way. Her first feeling
of surprise on meeting the youth was not I'M
mixed with pleasure. Then came another
thought, with repulsion and dread. She was
amazed that he should ATTEMPT to walk with
her, which deepened to sense Of personal in
suit She was very young, with no experience
OF the world; timid, yet having abundant latent
spirit and much mental quickness. Something
of her feelings her manner conveyed to her en-
forced attendant, who was not destitute of ap-
scantiest answers. Those of her parents were
ungraciOusly disposed of. She spoke only to
give the shortest answers.
The young man Certainly quite young NAM
seemed surprised and hurt by her air and an
swers, and finally he said:
MY return surprises you unpleasantlYs Miss
Dorset"
Thee might say the same of thy going, -
shortly
''There was the best reason for that he an
swered.
$50 men say" cody.
''What do men say" little eagerly.
''That thee had good reason for thy going"
80, some time l want to tell you of that.
Don't think it involves dishonOr"
Thee owes me no explanation" decisively.
To
They walked along many yards in silence
My return is unpleasant to you, Miss Dor
set, he said, repeating himself.
''Thee says that" shortly
'And thee does not contradict it ~
81 was taught to contradict no one." and an
other period OF silence ensued, broken by the
youth.
Miss Dorset YOU are not pleased at seeing
me?"
IF thee must repeat that, must say thee OBJ
serves justly"
Little penetration is necessary to see it,
glOOmily.
At the margin of the wood well-made road
deviating from the pike. led to the Dorset
homestead, not very remote. Few homesteads
stand on or very near the public roads, any
still attended by the young man, who now
asked
''Miss Dorset, may ask what men do say of
me?"
She hesitated an instant and answered:
these parts
:, Il do go by my right name"- spiritedly and
then adding: GAS far as it goes"
''Yes, they say that thee and thy name parted
company by the way"
You speak shrewdly Miss Dorset. Is nv
name nothing to you?"
1T seems to be nothing. or worse, to thee"
sharply.
Can you not imagine that a young man
might be romantic, might meet young lady,
and might wish to try to win her. without his
name, or part of it, and such advantage as
that might give him, and trust to himself what
''When his personal advantages are SO great,
Mr.. Denbgh."
"Oh Villa! you know 1 am not a shallow
coxcOmb."
~ acquit thee Of that. The maidens of the
Friends are not sought in thy way" coldly.
''HOw are they sought tell me? and will
seek you in your own way"
thee would trust to thyself. Now thee
would have me teach thee how to WOO"
At these words he stepped before her, saying,
80. Villa. you know love you with my whole
heart. as man loves when he would win wife
In your heart you do not think lily OF me-"
There was no doubt of the intense sincerity and
fervOr OF his words. She dropped her head and
would have passed him. ''DO not pass me thus
cOldly and finally"
docs thee think it manly to stop me in this
way" with much spirit.
He stepped aside, with-''pardon my rude
ness"
He continued to walk by her when she said
81 do not know what there was in my former
conduct to warrant thee i'm addressing me thus
If there was anything. l grieve."
g l am not SO vain, Miss Dorset, as toimagine.
because young lady is civil to me, that she is
"Does thee think it right to thus address a
young. gil without the consent of her pa
rents!"
II was invited to your fathers house, and
paid you open attention. They knew what my
feelings for you WERE will gladly 20 to them
now If you will permit me-
Nay. nay! Let our acquaintance end here, "
she said with dignity. They approached the
gate at the entrance OF the homestead grounds,
which were well kept.
"One word, :" said the persistent young man.
laying hand on the gate fastening. Zone word
ere we part. Ask your true wOman's heart
has it not one little-the taintest thrOb for me?"
This was said knowingly and in a voice plaintive
and tremulous.
The daughters of the Friends do not ques-
ton their hearts at the command Of-Of-the
stranger" with dignity
The young man opened the gate, saying coldly
and proudly as he did so: my love lies on the
ground over which you are to pass. Place your
feet upon it, and stamp it into the earth.'
The poor child was evidently moved She
hesitated then lifted her skirts stepped daintily
to one side, as if to avoid something passed the
gateway without raising her eyes or speaking,
and ran up the walk leading to the near house
The young man closed the gate. and turned
back as VILLAS father approached it from an
other way, who passed him. with slight incii-
nation of the head, in silence
'"Just trIf1e COOL as the grasshopper said
to the icicle, when he tried his teeth on it," was
the young mars sOlilOquy. as he turned back in
the road.
The twilight was deepening into confirmed
night in the forest, and the wood and margins of
the fields were filed with the harsh notes of the
katydids. Unheeding outward things, the
thought of the rejected lover was on what con-
cerned him more, and finally expressed Itself in
words.
81 always suspected had touch of the de-
cided fool but l never before felt it all through
me-" Mother, your son is done for, and well
done. according to the Macbethian rule for
"'twas done quickly"
The cries of the katydids attracted his atten-
ton. Eyes, that is it. Call it through the
wood all the live long night: Villa did, villa
did, villa did it, l can swear to that
He went on musingly and his thoughts took
another turn, which he gave us the benefit Of
''Of course they have heard Of 1t, and that &C.
counts for the funny looks of men up here
They would regard it as one Of the deadly sins