The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-12-18
newcomers, who we're sufficiently ro-
manticallv inclined to thus construe it.

was mdttct VI SISue tutoiSSt w oil tu0
young folks who had been born and
brought up near her home.
Susy was not native born to the neigh
so she was outside the charmed
circle; but none the less was she vel
coined and made much Of, the very fact
that she had but lately began to learn
the mysteries Of country life adding
much to the interest with which she was
regarded.
Harry also received cordial recep-
ton, aud, much TO Susy's surprise. be
entered so heartily into the fun and m ade
himself 90 entertaining that wherever he
was there Was sure to be . fresh breezs
OF merry laughter.
But the grand finale OF enjoyment
was not reached until after the musicians
came and took possession of the seats
prepared for them upon platform
which had been constructed at the ex
treme end OF the huge barn, where th,
dancing was to be, as the arrangement
for feas,ing the guests had monopolizet
the ground floor OF the farm hous'
proper
o. the way home Hairy turned t
Susy.
"Have I earned my promised reward
Cousin Susy ?"
"Yes, Harry, you have indeed. Whs
shall give, youW
"Something 80 precious that / hardly
dare ask for it,"
"After this evening / should not be
lieve you would hesitate at anything
Harry; so don't make pretense OF be
ing shy in putting forward your claim
/ really believe / do not know you q
all! have thought you to be so quiet
withoat a bit of fun in you"
Susy spoke half in fun, but still ther,
was q ring OF truth in what she said
Harry certsinly had a two-sided charac
tet. He could be very serious and b,
could be very merry. Had she not seel
it with her own eyes2
Then, Susy, l will at once say what
want, and as you are bodnd in honor t.
give it to me you may as we'll pay yon
debts at once. claim kiss from 20,
as my pay for we'll doing"
Susy could hardly believe the evidenc,
of her own ears.
A kiss! the saucy, audacious fellow
For an instant she was indignant thel
her woman's wit came 10 the rescue ant
the angry fash died out Of her eyes
Susy was herself again
81 will not deny that promised d.yol
reward, Cousin Harrv," she said de
murely; "but as did not set any speci
6ed time TO pay it, / shall certainly keei
you for nv creditor awhile"
-"1hen TshaIl demand interest as vel
a. principal when it is paid"
II have no doubt | shall find you a
unrelenting as you are surprising. Yo,
are really growing to be both perplex
ing and interesting study"
"..Variety is the spice of life,' accord
ing to the proverb"
"Well, here We are at home; go W,
must postpone our conversation unit
tomorrow"
"Please have something kind to say t.
me when tomorrow comes. Cousin Su
sy. l don't like to be called 'perplex
ing study"
"Theu don't deserve it."
"Good night, Susy;;" and Harry helt
out his hand.
Bot Susy did not take it; this nes
Harry must be keptoa distance.
"Gond night" she said disappearing
up the dimly lighted stairway.
Harry looked after her with sm'l
lowering about his lips
"What q little darling she isr' b,
thonght. sand how neatly she got out o
giving me q kiss! But I'll have it yet
1t will be all the sweeter for the difficult.
of getting H."
But after this Susy's manner changed
instead Of treating Harry with the els
terly frankness and freedom which bat
heretofore characterized their inter,
course she became IS shy as q Woot
Thrush.
Harry was rueful enough at tn
change. Susy seemed to him the bea,
ideal OF everything that was good ant
lovely, and be feared that he had offend
ed her irrevocahly.
Had he been better skilled in tn
workings OF a woman's heart be m gh
have drawn a different inference fron
her resnlute avoidance OF his society.
What does my reader think? did Sus,
regard Harry with aversion7
But We will not anticipate.
What a maiden will not ackno wledg
to herself should be held sacred and no
even be guessed al by the chronicler o
her story. /.
Time Aad away on rapid wings and a
last brought the day for Herbert's de
parture. He no longer wore the pale
listless look which had characterized hin
when he flrst came, but was rs ruddy ant
strengthening as the veriest countrylat
in the neighborhood, and he looked
handsomer than ever when be sough
for Susy 10 bid her good.by.
He found her in q rustic summe
house, which was her fsvorite resor
when she wished either to read or writ
or to be alone will her thoughts.
There was a slight fiush about he
eyes which showed that tears had beel
making an unwonted visit to them, hu
she forced bright smile as she sa'
Harry.
He put out bis band and with the part
ing hand.olasp which he gave her cold
little fingers. said:
"Good-by, cousin Susv, and try Il
forgive me for the offense which ha
made me such tabooed sinner in you
eyes OF late. Please look upon it as
jest which shall not again. be referred te
for il | have one wish dominant abov
all Others in my mind, it is that ma
live pleasantly in your remembrance
81 shall never do anvlhing but thin
kindly of you. Cousin Harry" said So
sy.
Had Harry been sufficiently master q
bis own emotions to study Susy's fact
he would have noticed that suspicion
quiver threatened the continuance of th
forced smile upon her lips and that tear
we're just ready to overflow their fringe
boundaries.
But with this cold, formal good.by l
expected to take leave OF her; SO |
turned and walked away.