Daily Republican., 1884-08-12
HIS LITTLE SWEETHEART,
BY CLYDE RAYMOND.

joining States. They were not exactly
|country-places, for q very short walk
brought you to the edge of town, yet
far enough away to maks the ties OF
neighborly friendsh. p close and strong.
Across one Of the orchards bounded by
the hedge came youth of some seven
teen years. He was tall, rounded, and
we'll formed, and walked with o quick
springing step, head erect, hands buried
in his pockets, and lips puckered up in
merry boy-fashion, whistling one of the
latest popular airs.
As he neared the stile he stopped,
ceased whistling and bright look Of
pleasure sprang into his clear blue
eyes.
For there on the broad oaken step, was
the slight figure of a girl, not more than
fifteen, whose dark, sweet, dreamy little
face was uplifted toward him with
world of pathetic love and sorrow In its
pretty, childish lines.
Hello, little one," he exclaimed,
you here? was just on my way
over to tell you all goodbye"
Well, you don't look as If 1t would
make you very sad to say it," said the
girl, with a little reproachful pout.
Well how can fellow put on long
fac capd look sad when he has just been
granted the wish of his hesrt ? Eva, you
know the great ambition of my life has
been to take college course, and now
can do 1t. start tomorrow morning
bright and early.
" But come down to the house with
me, little ONE" he added, placing his
arm around her In brotherly fashion
and half lifting her over the stile. I
must bid the old folks goodbye and then
get back home. / have so much to see
to, you know before leave"
No, no, !" she said, In piteously,
II EN- bling voice, as she freed herself from
his clasp and sank down again on the
wide step. Go on, VIII l will wait
here until you come back. IL would
rather say good bye here"
d" All right, them" he replied, after o
minutes wondering look into her troub-
bled face.
When he reached the stile on his re-
turn, what was his surprise to find bis
little playmate crouched down upon its
steps, her face buried in her folded arms,
and her slender little figure shaken by a
storm of passionate weeping.
Why, Eva, child, what does all this
mean ?" he inquired, raising her bowed
head and gazing into the tear-stained
little face. " Is it just because l am 60.
\ ing away ?"
Ye-yes," sobbed Eva, nesting her
dark head down on his arm. "Wbat'll
do when you're gone, Will 4? Only think,
shan't see you again TOR three or four
years, and when you do come back you'll
never notice poor little me. And you
won't be just our nice, dear old viii any
more, either-no, never, again !"
And the sobs broke out afresh SO VIC
lently that Wills affectionate heart was
deeply troubled.
"Come, come, little girl, it won't be
half so bad as that" he said, soothingly.
"There'll be ever so many vacations,
you know, which shall spend at home,
and, rs to the education, why, of course
intend to get grand one. But so can
you, Eva" he added, cheeringly. "You
must study ana read and take music les
sons, so you know how TO entertain me
when l come to visit you--such a learned
and famous fellow as I'shall be /; you
| know"
SO they talked on until the stars grew
thick In the summer sky, and viii at
last remembered that he must be going.
But long after the echo of his ringing
tread had died away Eva remained where
he had left her, still sobbing out her sor-
rowful young heart.
Wills farewell had been very fond and
loving, but the bitter sting in Eva's grief
was that 1t had been SO brotherly.
For, young as she was, she had given
her heart away, and to her viii Britton
was the one being to whom her worship
ing thoughts ever turned :" as the sun
flower turns TO the SUM-"
And he thought of her only as his dear
little playmate, sweet little sister to be
remembered with gentle affection, while
the true love and passion OF his manhood
would be given to another.
So Eva told herself, out there under the
stars, and her fears were only too pro-
phetic.
My dear Miss Dempsey, permit me to
present Mr.. and Mrs. RrittoD."
With her lovely dark face paling and
flushing In quick succession, Eva turned
TO acknowledged the introduction. Be
fore her stood Will Britton, the one love
of her life, fair and debonairly handsome,
as of old, and upon his arm leaned a
naughty lady, q dark-eyed' besuty-his
bride.
A little pleasant, laughing chat, some
kindly congratulations, and few play
full illusions to the old times" and
then Will and his handsome bride moved