San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-02-09

SO L went 10 bel an cfitu my sell I"
sleep.
The next morning | got mp aud
dressed myself With care. brushed
the soft, crimped masses OF let'black
hair away from my temples and last
eucd spray of coral red berries which
1 had gathered on the roadside into 1t.
and knotting my loose scarlet silk neck
tie under my lace collar, l smiled to
see the soft glow OF color that was re
turning 10 my checks, and the briiliancy
OF my eyes.
NV dress was Of black cashmere, en-
liyened here aud there by bow OF
SC irlet ribbon, instead OF the gray trav-
cling suit / had worn the evening be-
fore, aud it fitted me as If had grown
into it. r'.
II don't thinkI am quite so ugly as
( was last night" thought. but II
Mr.. Mildniay don't like it, of course
C. not help it.e g
Sol went down stairs, Uncle Blake
stared at me over his spectacles.
"Mercy on Us" cried Mrs. Jonas;
what has the girl been doing to her
sclf?" a
"Some one must have changed her
OF while she slept" said Barbara, run
ming up to me and giving me kiss.
Walter Mildmay said nothing; he
only drank his coffee.
How enjoyed the next fortnight !
The weather was beautiful and balmy
beyond description. We had nuttlng
expeditions, and boating parties, and
long walks to gather brilliant autumn
leaves. At night we sat around the
blazing logs, and, on the few rainy
days.. Mrs. Jonas showed me how to
make butter, and Barbara took me up
into the great garrett, where there were
chests of old relics, piles of books and
papers, and all of tine antique belong
ings of a whole cntury of Blakes.
But all this time Walter Mildmay
kept his respectful distance: and to
save my life, could not tell whether
he still thought me "stitf, ugly old
maid" or not.
And then came the husking frolic.
The barn was all Illuminated by can
dies, stuck in tin sconces along the
sides-I had never seen so romantic
sight. The neighborhood gathered to
the gala. Mrs. Jonas and Barbara had
been baking cakes and buttering sand
witches all day, while Uncle Blake had
rolled a barrel of sparkling new cider
close to the barn door. Merry laughter
sounded. Bright faces glanced to and
fro in the Rembrantesque light of the
candles, while ever and anon the tone
of flute and fddle-tuning up in the
barn loft was plainly audible.
l had been helping Mrs. Jonas to
put the icing on the big fruit cake
which held the ring, and it was late
when I came into the big, sweet
smelling, echoing barn, with my black
cashmere dress all sprinkled with
cherry-red bows, and deep cluster of
autumn leaves in my hair.
Here's Olga!" cried my Cousin
Jonas, cheerily. "Come here, little
Olga, and sit by me, and I'll give you
some ears to husk.'
/ laughed and nestled down into the
hay close at his side; and just at this
a storm of merry, rustic laugh
ter rose on the ar.
"1he red earl tho red earl" they
cried in chorus, clapping their hands
and cheering vehemcntly. walter
has got the red earl"
[ looked at Cousin Jonas in Devil
derment. sr pro
What is the red carp" said 1.
Cousin Jonas laughed.
What little greenhorn it is, said
he. "The red ear is" rt
Just then, Walter AIildmay came up
and stood before, the rich, maroon
colored ear of corn in his hand. He
aid it down at my feet.
Il claim my privilege, Olga" he said.
/ looked at him in amazement.
Il don't understand YOU said J.
The next moment he had stopped
over me, and putting both hands lightly
IN my shoulder, had imprinted kiss
Upon my astonished lips.
| sprang up, feeling myself grow
sea let; l rubbed my lips passionately
With my handkerchief, rs If to wipe of
he insult.
And then, half maddened by the
loisy laughter Of the crowd, the din OF
ubiant voices, | tore myself from
Tomas Blakes OBTAINING hand, and flew
nut into the starry cold of the outer air
Mrs. Jonas followed me.
olga" she cried, what is the matter?
Come back. child" i
HE has insulted me" sobbed,
"Insulted you! Oh, what nonsense,
olga" said Mrs. Jonas, putting her
.rm caressingly around my neck. He
las paid you the highest compliment a
nan could pay a woman. There's net
girl in the barn tonight but envies
-ou, child. Don't You know what the
ed ear means?" I
"No," said 1, looking up at her with
eyes.