The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-09-16

OF the hedges OF lllac spires, WuOct
green wilderness effectually shelter
ed him from view. Until drawing
sufficiently near to hear their voices
be formed an entirely different infer.
ence.
By nature Major Kingsbufy was
one of the frankest and most honor
able men alive, who could have cut
off his right ear sooner than have en-
tertained the idea of listening. But
there are circumstances which alter
the whole tide and current of our
lives, and our major, with all his
chivalrous ideas, found himself
standing stark still to catch the
words uttered by the unconscious
damsels on the lawn.
Ida Casserly stopd just where the
dying light shone full in her face, as
lovely a young creature as heart
could imagine, with eyes and hair
like violets and sunshine,and rose.
red mouth all wreathed in smiles.
Her white dress, Just relieved by a
scarlet cashmere scarf, fiuttered
softly in the evening breeze, and
she held bunch of vivid scarlet
salvias in her hand.
"Why, Ida" Kate Casserly, heI
younger sister was exclaiming. II
am astonished at you! | thought
you liked the major 80 much |"
The major !" Ida echoed. with a
contemptuous motion OF her pretty
head. "a horrid, old fashioned
thingl Well enough when you can't
get anything else, but"
''Then you really prefer Alexan-
der?"
"As if there could possibly be any
comparison !"
Major Kingsbury felt the angry
scarlet rise to his cheeks, while q
sharp pang of jealousy shot through
his heart. Who was this "Alexan-
der" for whom Ida Casserly express
ed so decided a preference?
"Well, cried Flora the youngest OF
the three sisters, IL don't think you
were one to throw over an old favor.
ite Just because later novelty has
appeared !"
"Don't be sentimental, Flo !" cried
Ida, with a little erimance which
made her mouth more like a ripe
cherry than ever. Il tell you !
won't have the major about the
place any longerl"
Our hero stood appalled,. What
baleful influence had changed his
shy, delicate Ida into this resolute
vixen? He was no Petruchio. to un-
dertake the Tanning of the Shrew.' y
and he bit his lips.
Alexander by all means !" cried
Ida, waving her little straw hat
around her head exultingly. "Alex-
ander and the admiralw
New friends" bitterly thought
the Major, as he turned away and
noiselessly retraced his steps
Madison was right; she never
could have cared for me. Well.
am glad l have found it out before
it was too late. Alexander-Alex-
ander-If / knew who the villain
was, l would punch his head fol
him"
And Major Kinpsbury just sue
ceeded in catching the last down
train for New York by running him.
self into violent perspiration.
The first person he stumbled over
as ne entered the hotel corridor was
Nicholas Madison.
"Hello!7 calculated Madison
Thought you had gone love-making
up the river?'
Give US your hand. old friend Y
said Kingsbury, impressively. "Iou
were right-about-about what We
spoke of this afternoon. l have
bsen a fool. But l don't think
shall repeat the experiment"
And he passed wretched anG
sleepless night, alternately raging a
Ida Casserly's treachery, and th<
wondering who Alexander" ano
Admiral could possibly be.
The next morning brought a Lit
tie, scented note in Ida's handwrit
ing.
How have | offended you ?" i
ran. You came last night, but yor
went away without seeing me-
What has gone wrong? Surely you
will not deny me the opportunity o.
pleading my own case? | shall bt
at home this evening again.
IDA"
She's right" said the major. 20
course, she never can be anything
to me again, but ought certainly tC
allow her the chance of explanation.
Major Kingsbury took the even.
ing train once more. Ida was wait
ing for him on the veranda this time
Ralph"
Her pretty pleading eyes-hel
outstretched handl Ralph Kings
bury would have been either NOR,
or less than man to have resisted
them.
What has offended you, Ralph 2
she asked, pi;eously.
Tell me-" he said, still striving
to speak sternly. "Who is Alexan
der ?"
Alexander"
"Yes. and the Admiral !"
Ida looked at him, as if she be
lieved him to be crazy.
Ida, / accidentally heard yor
talking TO your sisters on the lawI
last night. You distinctly stated
that you preferred the before men
toned gentlemen-and that th'
Major was-was"
Ida burst into a merry peal of ir
repressible laughter.
stop, Ralph, stop" she cried. a
understand it all F.; l remember i
now! Yes-I did say sol"
"You did d?"
"And / mean it, too, Ralph p sh,
added, with eyes that sparkled
roguishly. But you misunderstood
the matter altogether. We are go
iIg to have a new border of tulips
the Duo Major is an ugly brown
old-fashioned bulb, and Alexander
and The Admiral are beautiful