Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-17
BELIEVING HIM FALSE.

searched the world over.
| paused and looked with approving
ewes at the retreat l had chosen for the
summer. 1t was rambling, picturesque
house, standing quite distance back from
the road, and half hidden by the thick
foliage of the trees around it, There was
a gravelled path leading up to the front
entrance. on either side of which were
beds of flowers in full bloom back in the
distance l caught glimpses of green fields
and orchards laden with half.ripe fruit,
and line of low blue hills bounding the
horizon.
l walked up the path and knocked at
the door, at first moderately, then, as no
one answered, more imperatively. But my
summons brought no one, and after about
ten minutes of impatient waiting, stepped
back and viewed the house the blinds
were all closed-there seemed to be no
trace of life about it. Yet had sent word
to Mrs. Morris, the lady who had adver-
tised, saying she had "home.like accom-
mediation for one or two summer boarders,
that was coming. What did she mean by
going away?
1 gave another laundering rap at the
door that met with no more SUCCESS than
the preceding ones then | was turning
away in disgust, wondering what l could
do with myself, when the sound of a sweet,
full voice, singing, broke on my ear.
l listened eagerly; the sound came from
the rear of the house. l hastened in that
direction, delighted to find that there was
some one at home after all.
A wide poitico extended across the back
of the house, tangle of honeysuckle vines
growing over its columns and the lattice
work at each end.
Sitting in low chair just in front of the
open door was a young girl, the singer,
whose voice had guided me.
Such a pretty girl The fresh bloom
ing face made me think involuntarily of
wild rose. The sleeves of her light cal
leo dress were rolled up, showing pair of
white dimpled arms, and the pretty fingers
were stained red from the berries she was
picking.
| could have stood for an indefinite Pc
Rod admiring the picture she made and
listening to her song but the loud bark
ing of dog, that had been lying at her
feet blinking in the sunlight, made her
raise her eyes,
1 stepped up on the portico as she looked
at me and raised my hat.
"You must pardon me for intruding," |
said. 81 knocked at the front door for a
long time, and no one answered, go l came
round here, guided by your singing.
am the gentleman who engaged apart
ments here for the summer-Brian Hatha-
way"
care you Mr.. Hathaway? Auntie did
not expect you until tomorrow, she ex-
claimed, putting the dish of berries on a
little table beside her and rising to her feet.
81 wrote that l was coming to-day"
declared.
"Theu it was her mistake She has
gone to spend the day at friends house,
but viii DO my best to make you com
Portable until her return"
1 smiled, secretly, very much pleased at
having to be entertained by such charm
ing little creature. Then she led the way
into the house and upstairs to a large airy
room with three windows, overlooking the
green fields, orchards and narrow river
that looked like silver ribbon stretching
across the country.
My hostess left me, and going to my
trunks, that had arrived the day before,
proceeded to remove the traces of my hot,
dusty journey.
Occasionally, during this task, 1 could
hear the sound of feet crossing the hall be.
low, and snstohes of song fioated up to me.
I smiled contentedly to myself.
After my toilet was completed l went
down stairs. a door on one side of the nall
was open, and I entered a COOL shady little
parlor; the room was tensntless, but after
. few minutes of anxious waiting a light
step sounded in the hall, and my little
hostess entered.
She had changed the calico dress for q
white muslin, and washed the pink stains
from her fingers, and now she sat down ii
chair near me, and talked to me in the
dainty, gracious way that sat so well upor
her.
In little while we were the best O.
friends; she played for me on the piano
that stood IN one corner, and sang some
favorite songs in her clear, sweet soprano.
l was an author of some little fame IL
search Of change, yet did not add single
sentence to my story that night when
went TO my room-instead of writing | ex'
tiueuished the light and sat down at th,
open window to breathe the dewy fragrant
air and think Of May.
was IS years old, and had been th'
hero of a half-s-dozen hirtations, none e
which mad made the very slightest impress
sion on my heart. Bat now, l owned Il
myself frankly that I was really and truly
in love with this girl whom l had only
known for an afternoon.
Her face, with It's luminous grey eyes
wild rose color, and the deep dimpie tina
came in the left cheek whenever she wal
pleased OF amused, seemed to me the sweet
est l had ever seen, and l determined that
If 1t We're possible would win her for my
wife.
Come, May, let us take walk here il
your nat
held up broad white hat, all lace aud
dainty plumes, aud as May turned toward!
me | out II on her head and insisted on ty
ing the ubbon-strings in bow under he
chm She stood quite still during thu
performance, the dimple appearing in he
check, but ner eyes demure and downcast
Then l opened the gate and we passed
out into path leading through the orch
ard TO pretty rustic bridge spanning tn,
river.
The day was dying, but dying in reca
splendor over a land radiant with sunni e
beauty. May leaned on the ratings of tn,
bridge and gazed with rapt eyes down tn
river, that reflected faithfully the sunset
hues, until, a. the horizon, it seemed to b
lost in the crimson glory. And well
there is a time in every mans life when h
appreciates one fair face more than all tn
loneliness Of Nature, 50 l oontented nv
self with studying the delicate profile be
side me.
At last, as the clouds lost their vivi
tint, she turned toward me with littl
sigh.
ct is over, she said softly. LET u
90 back to the house"
4" Not yetf' exclaimed, catching he
hand, my voice trembling. 81 brougt
you here to tell you something. May
darling-I love you. Do you think 20
could ever care for me ?"
For one brief instant her eyes met min'
and my heart thrilled, for l thought II
light in them was love. Then the lasht
dropped on her cheeks, and she turned b,