The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-10-11

youth, beauty, and, if you wished it,
love. Why is it?'
Fleurette turned her eyes to mine.
"Do you think these pale lilies have
any hidden troubles, Mr.. Penn?"
''None, l should say. They toll
not, neither do they spin, you know
''The people who toll and spin are
not the only people who are unhappy
i'll the world, said Fleurette, softly.
''Nor are the water-lilies the only
flowers who shut up their hearts. and
only open them after great persua-
sion"
She placed one of the white stars
i'll her dark hair, and said, 1--WE are
getting quite poetical this afternoon.
Was that a. kingfsher flew by?"
OF course it was no mere kingfsh-
er than it was an ostrich; and as Fleu-
rette was now my prisoner in mid
stream, was not going to let her es-
cape or evade my questions for any
bird that flew.
| steadied the boat with one dip of
the oars, and looking her full in the
face, asked, ''Fleurette, why do you
treat John so strangely?'
Her eyes dropped. II scarcely un-
derstand you," she said.
You understand fully. Why did
you refuse to marry him?"
Il might plead woman's privilege.
If we cannot choose, we can at least
decline to be the choice of any partic-
ular man.
You might plead it if you did not
love him; but you will not plead it,
Fleurette. 1t is because I know you
love him I ask you\ for an answer to
my question" :"
Her fingers toyed nervously with
her lilies, but she said nothing.
IF thought you did not care for
him-if you can tell me Sony ques-
tion is answered, and I am satisfied.
Answer me, Fleurette.'
She raised her head, and I saw her
brave brown eyes shining through her
tears.
'The proudest day in my life was
when John Penn asked me to be his
wife-the happiest day would be the
day married him, and that will be
never"
"Never, FIeurette ?"
Never-never-nev Unless"
here the girl gave sort Of shudder,
and covered her eyes with her hands.
Tell me what obstacle there can
be-" [ said, gently.
Il cannot. [ will not. If I could
not tell John, why should I tell you?"
Your mother is a great invalid, is
she not?" I asked. after pause.
yes" replied Fleurette.
''Is it possible you fear John would
wish you to leave her? Is that the
reason, Fleurette?"
Il will tell you nothing" she said,
firmly. Put me ashore, please" p"
Very we'll, Miss Fleurette," [ said,
resting on my oars. "Then I give
you fair wrrning, | shall never cease
until | find out everything"
The girls face flushed with anger.
"Wh hat right have you," she cried, ''to
attempt to pry into my private life?
| hate you! Put me ashore at once"
Fleurette not only had a will but a
temper of her own.
Il will not" I said, until you give
me some message can take to John
some word that will let him live on
hope. at least"
"Will you put me ashore?" said
Fleurette, stamping her foot. My
only answer was a stroke of the oars
which sent the boat some yards far
ther up the stream.
"Then [ shall go myself" said
Fleurette; and before [ could compre-
hend her meaning, she simply slipped
overheard, and in a couple Of seconds
was standing on the riyer-bank, with
the water dripping from her petticoats.
She darted across the meadow without
even looking back, and left me feeling
supremely ridiculous. The river was
scarcely knee-deep at this point, so
she ran no risk of drowning, and only
suffered the Inconvenience of wet
shoes and skirts; but [ could not di-
vest myself Of the idea that had there
been six feet Of water there, the beau
tiful little vixen would have gone
overheard just the same | had been
completely outwitted by a girl of
twenty; but then no one could imag-
inc that a young lady Of the present
day, attired in an elegant walking
dress, would jump out Of boat to
avoid his society, however angry she
might be- Yet felt very foolish as
| drifted back to Dalebury, and doubt
ed whether I had done Johns cause
FtAfter all" said, perhaps my
boasted tact and diplomacy only pass
muster in the free-and-easy communi-
ty of New Durham, and | shall be
failure in England | had better take
the first steamer and 60 back again.
met Fleurette in the road the next
morning. Her features wore de-
mt smile,
said.
Il am the one to complain, think.
The idea of attempting to keep me
against my will! My boots We're
spoiled; | was made most uncomfort-
able, and had to explain my draggled
appearance as best could"
But fancy my horror when yon
stepped out of the boat; and picture
what fool | have felt ever since.
Nevertheless | forgive you," l sad,
magnanimously.
And ! forgive you" said FIeurette,
with deep meaning in her voice. SO
we shook hands, and renewed our
compact of friendship.
| had now been at Dalebury nearly
"a month, and purposed, while | had
time to spare, to make little trip to
the Continent. | intended to stay
there two months, then return and
commence work A few days before