The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-11-17


among the cool, white pillows, and
gave way to passionate burst of
tears.
~ never will do such wild, idiotic
trick agan-neverl / don't care how
much the girls will laugh at me for
out. Oh. could just die of
notification l shall never, never have
the courage to look him in the face
againl'
1t was, indeed, several days before
Minnie was herself again. In the
meantime Miss Claiborne had come
and gone, and Minnie, watching from
the window, had seen the pretty, styl-
ish young lady promenading In the
grounds on the arm of her handsome
father, and she had no doubt that he
was even then laughing at the story of
her own foolish escapade.
When at last the unavoidable meet
ing between Mr.. Claiborne and herself
took place Minnie's saucy eyes were
timidly downcast, and guilty color
dyed her face from forehead to chin.
To save her life she could not meet
those eyes which she felt were reading
her very soul and laughing at her con-
fusion.
But on the contrary, Mr.. Claiborne
tried so kindly to make her forget it,
and led the conversation so skilfully
in his own easy way from ope subject
to another of deep interest to Minnie,
that before the evening was half over
she could look up into his face and
smile almost as naturally as though
that miserable, madcap adventure had
never been; and IN week or two they
were the best of friends.
"Aiss Minnie," said he one evening,
the very last before the breaking up of
Summer boarders, "do you remember
our singular introduction to each Other
In this very room2"
Did she rememDerp Minnie glanced
around, and the parlor, in its dusky
solitude, with the breath of late roses
scarlet honey. suckles waited gently in
through ITS open windows, brought
back most vividly that other evening
and those warm, delicious stolen kisses
whose memory had made her life hall
paradise, half purgatory, ever since
They chanced to be alone and Minnie
felt painfully embrassed. Her eloquent
bushes were her only answer.
"Come, Minnie, tell me,n he wen
on, his beautiful eyes brimful of mis-
chief as schoolboy's; "were you reall!
expecting to meet your father on thai
eventful EVENING""
"Oh, Mr.. Claiborne, don'tI pleas
don'tl And bright saucy, daring Min
ME Moore, unable to bear another wore
or look, crossed her arms upon the low
windowsill and, bowling her brlgh
head upon them, wept ~ if her hear
would break. Oh, what bitter swee
memory those kisses in the twilight haI
provd to herl
''Mr. Claiborne was grieved an
shocked at the startling effect of hi
playful question. Minnie was alway
80 gay, SO full of mischief, he had neve
dreamed of her taking anything 8
: seriously. But now her bravo was ut
terly broken down, and she sObbed on
, the whole story of her foolish Joke, an
begged his forgiveness like naught
child.
my dear child" said he at last
, strsking her golden hair so tenderl
/ that Minnie thought she would like t
sit there forever, - have nothing t
: forgive. | suspected the truth len
ago, for | have mischief-loying littl
, girl of my own, you know. But, il
} deed Minnie" with one of his rari
beautiful smiles, sit was the yer
. sweetest moment / have known fc
years. If were. not so old"
HIS voice ceased here, and he WI
r silent so long that Minnie looked u
2 and saw an expression Of such yearnin
, sadness on his dark, handsome fac
e that it touched her heart with pity.
1 ooh, MI. Claiborne, you are not {
4 oldl'' she cried, impulsively. "No on
: would think so; I'm sure never did.
= Then down went her gOld6n hea
d upon the window sill again, for hi
e words had brought sudden light I'M
S Mr.. Claiborne's eyes that fairly da
6 zled her.
It 'Minnie-Mlnnie Moore" he WI
saying, passioDately, don't trine vii
e me now. Is it possible that am N
l. too old to win the love of brig
/ young girl-to win yours, MinnieY"
is There was no very audible answe
but once more his strong arms we
n around her, and his warm thrillil
r, kisses crimsoning her cheeks again
a the deepening twilight, but this tin
T. there was no mistake about it.
Forest Fires.
- Tie destruction OF lumber by fore