The Mineral argus., 1885-04-23


the artistic employment.
Nell! Ncll." yelled the musical
Tommy, as my cousins brother was
called. "IIcrc's package for you"
We were most comfortably disposed
on an old shawl. with books and work.
in the grove. just to the left Of the old
fashioned farmhouse.
No reference had been made to the
last night, but my Nell had lost that
buOyancy Of spirits which rendered us
all her willing subjects. Full Of Curl
osi.y we awaited the coming Of the
dreadful boy, who burst upon us
breathless but grinning, bearing aloft
heavy parcel about the size of large
cOcoanut.
lie dropped it into her lap and
gaspcd: with Harry Blessings's COM
plimcnts. The cOlOrcd man brought
it, and no said there was no answer.
Hurry up; lets see what it is. Ill
open it. I'll cut the string. Here's a
knife" volunteered the vOluble and
obliging Tommy.
The removal Of sundry rolls Of the
thick brown paper disclosed to our
gaze . round glass jar. securely sealed.
filled with some thick. golden fluid.
''What can 1t be We exclaimed sim
ultaneously.
"What q lovely color" added Nell.
There is no label on it. I wonder
what -" she paused and turned the
pretty jar slowly round and round.
''Why, you two gOOses." politely re-
ed honey. Old man Blessing is crazy
about bees. and your beau knows how
gone you are on sweets, and Of
course he'd be sure to send you some
of his first CROP"
"But isn't it little early in tho sea-
son for honey, Tom?" ventured.
early! Of course not. Why, I
seed whole row Of jars just like
them IN Killers grocery yesterday"
This decided all doubt on the mat
ter, and with happy laugh and brim-
ming over with Importance. Nell dis
patched Tom to ask auntie II we might
have hot biscuits for tea, ''and Tommy,
dear" added our heroine insinuating-
w. you'll run over to Willow Farm.
won't you. with note, and I'll finish
your rcins before you get back?"
''All right !; see that you do" was
the patrOnizing response, as he rush.
ed oil to execute his mission. As soon
as he was well out Of sight and sound.
Nell exclaimed: ''Why, Alice, don't
you see ? Why. it's as clear as day.
Poor Harry how clever of him."
Perceiving that did not compre-
bend, she continued Don't you re-
member how provoked I was because
Harry declared emphatically that of
course he would make me an apology
IA sweet apology'-and-here it is''
it up against the sunlight.
triumphantly. l shall send him .
dear little note, say the apology Is
accepted. and ask him TO tea" and,
clxs ping the sweet treasure In both
small hands, she fastened to the
house, and lost no time in penning .
few words which would pardon and
recall the erring one. Aunt Mary
gave Us carte blanche, and much de.
light was expressed at the prospect of
light biscuits, fresh butter and golden
honey.
Prompt to the moment came the
swain. Greeted with
smiles was he by lovely little maid
en-, dressed in an exquisitely fitting
pale blue cashmere robe. particularly
becoming to my fair cousin.
Not a word was said in reference to
the past.
As for Harry. he looked q picture
of puzzled delight at his loves mag
nanimity. We seated ourselves about
Aunt Mary's bountiful board. and
after each had been served with cold
chicken, jelly and light snowy biscuits,
almost too hot to touch. conversation
began.
"Nellic, what In the world have you
got that thing there for P" inquired
Mr.. Blessing, indicating the jar.
nrst wait y0S with
fingers she quickly loosened the top.
At this moment I noticed a peculiar
smile pass over Mr.. Blessings cOun-
tenancc.
Expectant Tommy. who could no
longer restrain his feelings, demanded
liberal and immediate distribution.
"rom. keep quiet! :" cried Nell. "It's
my turn first"
.'Of course, that's only fair" echoed
the chorus at the table.
"But hadn't you better wait till"
81 don't see the reason why" stam-
mered the bewildered Harry.
The chorus united in full cry of
''Oh. hush!" ''That'll DOR "Give US
sonnet" etc., etc., until our friend Har.
ry was rendered quite audible.
Nell poured o generous quantity of
honey over her deliciously buttered
biscuit
"Ah! murmured she, raising It to
her lips.
"Ahv echoed the sympathetic
chorus. The lovely mouth closed
quickly over a goOdly bite.
"Nell!" shrieked Harry. "what are