The Delaware ledger., 1883-09-01
In the Cleaning.

| NOW, my llIbie LTuJnioi you u ptoeoi
lay all this to heart.'
This was the end Of handsome Hal
Hale's long lecture to his pretty, CO.
quettish little sister Truth.
He lay in the hammock before the
open door, and she sat upon the lower
stair in the hall, pouting and playing
with daisy chain.
1t had been long and unusually
serious lecture, all about Neil Gaynor,
the last of Truths summer lovers,
whose heart she was playing with as
she had played with score of other
lovers since the lovely season at Moss
mere began.
eff Neil were a noodle like Fitz-
gerald, or fool like Markham, Truthie,
wouldn't care," Hal had said. ''But
for you just to amuse yourself at play
ing hide-and-seek with a royal fellow
like Neil won't do; in fact, he won't
stand it, and you'll never have another
such an offer, you silly, spoiled little
puss, as long as you live. So take my
advice and marry him offhand like a
woman, and have no more of this flirt-
ing.''
Hal had turned over in the hammock
and taken up his book.
Truth had twisted her chain until she
broke it.
She was still pouting, but the flush
had died off her dimpled checks, and
there was suspicious moisture in her
eyes. She did not speak.
She could not tell Hal that his shafts
of truth had gone home.
She knew well enough that Neil
Gaynor was ''just splendid"
She had learned it already by the
manly way with which he received her
refusal the previous evening.
"She liked him very much as friend,
but she could not think Of anything
further" she had said, her golden head
as high as possible in the air, and her
gaze wandering as far as it could from
the serious attention of his handsome
gray eyes.
They were such clear, frank beauti-
full eyes.
They haunted her sleep that night.
She woke up and thought by the
moonlight, and felt very small and
mean.
What die make her such an insincere
triher she could not understand.
She knew that there were not many
men like Neil Gaynor.
Instead of being grateful for his love
why ad she crested her head, like 3
silly bird, and declined it p
And he had not uttered an angry OF
reproachful word-had not accused hel
of flirting, called her "a heartless
coquette," as the others did-only
bowed in silence and left her courteous
ly.
But those clear, beautiful eyes would
not be forgotten.
She sobb d a little on her pillow, try
ing to declare that she didn't care.
And now, with morning, come
Halls serious interference, though h
knew nothing about last evening 'sscene
She was really frightened at what sh
had done, and dared not tell him-goo
Hal. who was the kindest elder brothe
a naughty girl ever had for though sh
= had said to herself, "Neil will com
y back" even as Hal lectuIed, Mr.. Ne
= :, Gaynor, on his black horse, Turk, rod
slowly below the terrace, and, seein
= her, did not pause-only raised his hi
and passed on. a.r-as
% The season was at an end, the peop
, - at the hotels going home.
= What If he went to town and 81
! never saw him again ?
- A mist came over her eyes the VIII
" soughed among, the woodbine at II
~ door which made her shiver.
u Poor, remorseful little Truthie !
n1 She sprang up and ran away at las
0u What il Hal should look around al
., see her crying
Gu She drenched her face well with q
On de cologne before she came down
dinner.
he Truthie," said Hal, carving t
We Joint, and helping her literally to LyC
% naise potatoes by way of making up
te the mornings scolding-for he was VI
~ fond of this little sister of his, and VI
- tender of her faults, good Hal
"Truthie, we are invited to Mrs.
Roses for tomorrow evening""
The color which Truth had not b'
cry able to rub into her cheeks appeal
per brightly now.
zen Mrs. st. Rose was Neil Gaynor's
no ter, the most delightful lady in e.
i'm. tence, who lived at charming pl
we called Homeparks, and twice year g
nth large party.
heir ''She is rather late with her party
giy. year.
san 81 believe she has been waiting
ions her niece to come down from the mo
may talns," said Hal, carefully choosin
AXE stalk of celery.
i've. "Have you ever seen this Miss y