Daily Republican., 1883-12-01
A GIRLS FOLLY.
BY ALICE DALE.

Under the huge, old apple tree In Z
great, shady orchard q girl sat reading
. dark, gypsy faced girl with luminous
brown eyes, ffinged by long lsshes
cheeks like the heart Of wild rose, hel
thick. black hair cut SHORT like boys
and clinging in little damp tendril,
about b.. r broad, white brow.
II was harvest time, and away off In
the folds stretching down to silvery
brook which gave to the old farm the
pretty name Of Brookside, the noisy
whirr of the reapers broke the drowsy
stiffness - the harvest was gathered 10,
leaving only the aftermath, and "tht
rowen mixed with weeds."
Rene Dsyt0n's dark eyes kept wan.
dering from her book of to the field
where the reapers cut the golden grain
and bound II and tossed aside, all read y
70 bring in it's return of yellow gold IL
farmer Dayton.
AID oil the time Rene's eyes were
fxed upon distant figure of man
who drove reaper with its shining
knives over the five acre lot near by.
And as Rene watched him furtively
her red lips curled in scOrn.
John Give had asked her only the
ev ming before to be his wife, and she
had refused him, refused him simply
because no was q farmer, whose own
small farm adjoining brought him "a
com Portable living and the old fash
Toned brown house Hiding itself away
jupt at the foot of the hill, as though
trying to get out Of sight, was his
home and with his good old mother
John led quiet, happy life within its
walls.
Thinking 1t all over, Rene's brown
eyes flashed. What . life to lead NO
hope of aught save the bumdrum tread
mill existence of q farmers wife, with
no hing but country sights and sounds
about her forever.
"Flat, stale and Improbable I" she
quoted, half aloud, closing her book
with q weary little sigh. "I'd sooner
die than submit 10 1t. And yet--and
yet, John is dear, good boy, and 1t
just breaks my heart to give him up.
But he'll never know-he'll never know
how dearly love him -
There was q sound of . footstep close
at her side, and glancing up with q
start, Rene saw . stranger approach
ing.
A handsome stranger, just like her
favorite hero in her favorite novel.
The girls questionable heart began
to beat wildly al he advanced, removing
his hat with courtly grace.
"Pardon my intrusion" he began,
with an admiring glance. II had not
expected to find 80 lovely spot I" And
bis dark eyes fingered long on Rene's
flushed face ~ she rose.
~ am = stranger here" the gentle
man resumed, "and am In search of .
place called Idlewild. Could you kindly
direct me young lady?
Rene picked up her white sun.bonnet
from the grass and tied 1t on.
Certainly, sir" she responded.
A." ldlewild is the home of Judge
Arlington and his daughter, Miss
Laura"
"a friend of yours ?" querred the
stranger, eagerly.
Rene shood her head under the white
bonnet.
"No, sir" she returned, with lit
81 am Only farmer Dayton's daush.
ter, and Miss Arlington 10 wealthy and
highly connected, and the most beauti-
full woman In the country !"
Rene's tone was quite enthusiastic.
~ do not think so," observed the
stranger, pointedly, with quick,
searching glance into Rene's downcast
face.
She blushed celestial rosy.red."
Although her delicate perceptions
of propriety recoiled from the imDerti-
nence.
They had passed through the orchard
gate now. aud she pointed toward a
great, white villa which stood on hill
not far away.
"Tbat is Judge Arlington's residence,
sir !" she said. "you cannot fail to
find it p
"a city upon hill cannot be HID
he quoted, sententiously. "Thanks
very much, Miss Dayton. And do you
never visit at Idlewild?"
Rene shock her head.
"Ah, what pity. shall not have
the pleasure Of meeting you unless
And b" hesitated
Poor, foolish, vain little Rene, to her
the fairy prince had come.
He was friend of Miss ArlingtOn's,
and to the simple heart of the little
country girl Laura Arlington was the
embodiment Of everything beautiful and
Rene felt quite proud of her new &C.
guaintance, who in return so evidently
her, and her heart thrilled as she
glanced into her sweet face with an
earnest glance.
Il shall be in tie neighborhood for
bometime!" he announced, abouptly.
could you kindly direct me to some
quiet place where might obtain board
during my stay? My name is Gerald St
John, and friend ofJudge Airing tons;
that, persume, ia sufficient reference?"
MY mother might receive you," re-
turned Rene. We've sometimes take
boarders from the city for the summer
His eyes sparkled with unmistakable
delight.
"Oh, If she only would" he exclaim-
{ 7 4 J. %.