Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-07-10

finished! l don't often have such disagree
able tasks to do" she continued, more
confidentially; "but my sister is expecting
company-a gentleman from the city-anC
she's very particular to have nice lunch
Grace wouldn't burn her complexion,
though, if Vivian Winters never had q
strawberry in his lifer' she added, more tc
herself. "And l hope he won't want any
more while he stays here, if have to pick
them! Heigh- ho! You'd better not let papa
see you lying on the grass; you might moi
make a very good impression on him." she
said, as she nodded goodbye, and started fol
| the house.
For her companion, looking quite warm,
and with moist curls of dark hair twining
almost as tightly as her own about the fore
head, retreated to the roadside-tree and
| threw himself down again, good-humoredly
smiling, and apparently not in the least of.
Tended by the candor of this frank young
lady.
81 don't beliere he'll suit pap she solilo
quized. s'He's too nice; he'll never get
right down to hard work like poor Donald
he did pick the strawberries nice, though
Glad 1 met him.
And Laurel entered the house, and glad.
| ly delivered up her fragrant burden
"You and Miss Meek had better take
your lunch in the schoolroom; then yoG
needn't dress"
Martha, /" cried Laurel, ''can t / see him %
81 am willing, but Grace says
II don't care what Grace saysl l shall
come down. Can't I papa? can't I have
lunch with you?'
Certainly, certainly You will do you
look very WELL" answered the squire, with
whom Laurel was fayorite.
And SO, when Laurel had hurriedly bath
ed her forehead and hands in cool water,
and braided and tied with fresh ribbon
her abundant chestnut hair, she came qui-
city into the dining room a little later but
her father called her cheerfully to a place
beside him.
"My youngest daughter, Laurel, Mr..
Winters
A frank, pleasant face, with dark hair
curling tightly about broad, white fore.
head, and u very good-natured smile. Lau.
rel lifted her broad lids, and gave a little
gasp.
"The young lady and have already met.
Let me give you some of my Strawberries,
Miss Laurel. They are very nice.''
And so as the meal was quite without
formality, "John Jenkins heaped Laurel's
saucer with strawberries, and began talking
to her in the most charming manner But
poor Laure', from turning scarlet to the
tips of her fingers, turned so pitifully pale
realizing her dreadful mistake, that it was
almost evident that the meal was almost a
blank to her.
She got away as soon as she could, ran
down into the garden, crept under syrin-
ga-bush and cried.
Pretty soon Mr.. Winters was on his knees
beside her.
"Pray-pray don't take your little mis-
take so much to heart 1t did no harm, and
| was very much amused"
"You-you are very good p sobbed Lau
rel; "but L never eau get over it, and
Grace will never forgive me when she
knows
"Then we won't tell her," said Vivian
Winters, cheerfully, and Laurel was sure,
then, that he was nice. SIT is our secret.
Only when 1 say Strawberries, you are to
be very, very good to me-"
So he won the child out of her fears and
tears, and leading her down the shady To-
Gust paths, famed her with huge leaf, and
chatting charmingly, made her smile til
her tears were dried.
"Why, Laurel, child, where did you see
Mr.. Winters before?' asked Grace, coming
up, and looking d little peculiar.
''Oh, just by the roadside yonder, san
swered Vivian, SO carelessly, that Grace
thought nothing more of the matter.
But she observed that he was very atten-
tive to Laurel, and she continued to observe
it during the three days of the gentleman's
stay.
And that was not all, for Vivian Winters
came again and again to Finchwood during
the Summer, and when LaurePs sixteenth
birthday came, in the Autumn, he asked
her hand of her father in marriage.
There was only a years delay after the
engagement. Then the wedding took
place. And there were strawberries at the
wedding breakfast. And let me add that
old Donald entered the happy service Of
Mr.. and Mrs, Winters.