Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-01-13
z gleasamt Story.
WALTERS WOOING.

III IL such pretty scene. Dotting all
the country as the lilies dot tho field,
the white cottages of -Elmshore rise from
among the grand old elms which, stand
ing boldly out from their background Of
stately hills, seem to watch like senti-
nels over the little town
Beyond the cottages wave green
meadows, their downward slope increas-
ing until their grasses lose themselves
beneath the ripplos of the beautiful blue
sea.
A pretty scene, indeed Aud 50 the
sun thinks ; for. though its time for set
ting has long since passed, still its
golden rays are lingering. perhaps to
warm the lands calm beauty into gran
duer, more, passionate life--perhaps
only to press a last long kiss upon the
head Of fair young girl who stands at
the gate of one of the cottages, drink
ing in the loveliness about hc..
at is all so beautiful--so very beau.
tiful p she murmurs, clasping her hands
and resting her check upon them. II
wonder if every one loves it as do ?
| wonder if--if he does 2"
Deeper and deeper sinks the sun.
Slowly the daylight fades, but not un-
I'll the cleaning casts its shadows thickly
around her. does the wistful questioning
die out of tho girls eyes; then, with a
sudden movement, she turns to the dog
at her side, and burcs her golden head
in his shaggy fur
~ ought to be ashamed OF myself,
oughtn't |, old Major ?-just as ashamed
as | can be ! The idea of the prim,
proper instructor Of the youthful cberubs
of Elmshore wasting her thoughts upon
a stranger, because no has handsome
eyes and impudence enough to use
them Well have run, won't we, old
fellow, and drop the nonsense out Of
my foolish head on the way. Ready,
now One--two--three !"
And of they go. scarcely touching
the ground as they fee over it.
81 say, sehoolma'am, you're a smart
one You would beat half our fellows
hollow, you would p
And Madge, brought to sudden
standstill, sees looking down ut her from
the top Of 4 high bicycle her favortc
though most troublesome pupil, whose
bonnie brown eyes shine with respect
and admiration for her unexpected nc
complishnent.
"Ob, Johnnie, is that you ? IL did
not mean 10 be such tomboy; but
Major would run, and" with gay lit
tie laugh--."when u major leads, what
can q fellow DO but followT
You're gay one, amt you ?" asks
Johnnie, sententiously. "Never saw a
schoolma'am like you, never and |
shouldn't Inird," he continued, slowly
II shouldn't much mind il if the whole
lot was made after your pattern"
''Oh, Johnnie, Johnnie, you funny
boy" laughs Madgo, pushing hes hair
opt af her eyes; then, as sudden
thought strikes hers Lets try race
/ and Major against you and your bIoy-
Gle !" aud before Johnnie had timo TO
express his contempt for his would-be
rivals, they have started, and he is in
hot pursuit.
On they sped through the long cool
pathway that leads to "Elmhurst, J" the
grand old homestead Of the FINISHES,
whose ancestors, centuries before, had
planted In honor Of their name the trees
whose size and number, growing as they
did so near The sea, had given name to
the village.
Fleeing along, her hat in her hand
and her hair floating in the wind. Madge
comes to stop as the great gates Of the
Elmhurst lodge house loom up before
her. AT the same moment Johnnie
takes sharp turning to the right, Of
which Madge is not aware, where the
path continues upward until, after u
sweep Of almost a quarter Of a mile, the
great house is reached. Major rushed
after him with more haste than grace,
falls, rolls over in the dust, and comes
with all the strength Of bis great clumsy
body against the bicycle. A sharp, short
bark, crash, weary moan, then all is
still, aud little Johnnie lies PROSTATE in
the dust, his brown hair all stained and
dabblcd by the fast-aowing crimson tide
Johnnie Johnnie speak 10 me
oh, my God he is dead Help hsla|