The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1885-03-18
.IT IS YES.

lets under his feet, half wild with dis
appointment and the pain of rejected
love.
1t did not matter 70 him that the
shining water was a mirror of the sky s
brilliant dyes, that the May wind
touched his face with fragrant ca
ress, that he had that night youth,
wealth, health, and beauty-eyerything
went as nothing since Avis Earle had
shaken her gentle brown head and so
decidedly said, mo. :"
He had not expected rejection-why
should hep Avs was only factory OPP
erator--he the only son of the licl
owner Of Fend0n Mills.
He had met her at picnic before he
knew her station, and been charmed
with her. The style of her beauty
suited him-the warm brown eyes and
crisp waves of gold-bright hair-and
the little air of reserve with which she
received his attentions piqued him from
the first.
During the whole six weeks of their
acquaintance it could never be said that
Avis, like other girls, had thrown her.
self at his head. A+i -
From the day he had met her first,
with her hands full of arbutus, to that
memorable evening when he had pro-
posed marriage to her and been refus-
ed. she had been the same sweet, re-
served, attractive being which she was
at the beginning-the one who had won
and kept his heart.
To be sure, he was full of bitterness
and displcasure, goaded to some little
meanness of spirit and injustice; but
Melton Mayne was too noble fellow to
long harbor dark thoughts.
He suddenly threw himself upon the
grass, and pulled off his hat in the soft
wind.
lit is my first disappointment and /
suppose | am taking it very badly.
Yes, il was mean to mentally up
braid himself for falling in love with
"a factory girl" When had Avis pro-
fessed- TO be aught else? With all her
exquisite daintiness and appropriate
ness ofgdress, her Righteousness Of
speech and refinement, she had never
in the least concealed her habit of daily
toll in the noisy, oil-smelling, confined
mills. She came and went with the
other operatives.
The only difference was, that she res
olutely repealed all that could soil per-
son, mind, or manners.
In the Sunday-school she led class
of little ones who loved her dearly, and
during the week the mill had stopped
for repairs, he had met her frequently
at the house of mutual friend, Miss
Lucy Lord, the best of good little old
maids.
Miss Lucy expressed love and pity
for Avis. "She was once far better of,
poor child; but she bears up bravely
under her Affections. So much she
said, but seemed disinclined to say
more, and Melton disdained to urge
further revelations.
But sympathy for her unknown
trouble strengthened his love for sweet
Avis. She must marry him, and let
him guard and serve her.
And so, like the headlong young fell
low he was, he had proposed that love-
ly sunset hour by the river, and-been
refused.
lit can't be helped" said poor Mel
ton, crushing his soft grey hat nervous
ly between his hands, ''any more than
| could help falling in love with her
She is the prettiest, sweetest girl in
town; not another, high or low, so beau
tiful, swear! On, why should she re-
fuse me? thought she liked me! she
knew loved the ground she trod on;
then why need she have planted that
dreadful MOI in my memory? / never
shall forget it as long as | live-or the
look of her face. She was quite pale
she seemed panied. She is not CO
quette. Oh, what can the matter beP
am not stupid. or ugly. or brute.
nave money! could make her llIe
beautiful. But she said MOI y con-
cluded poor Melton, with a groan as he
rose to his feet again.
Painfully at loss what to do with
himself in this crisis of his young life,
be continued aimlessly walking, but in
another direction.
He paused at last at the top of the
hill and looked back. Beyond the road
The sky was family tinted with dying |
gold, and there was no one in sight.
Yes, woman walking YEARLY, and q
man staggering at her side.
Once or twice, as he watched the
couple, he saw the woman, or girl rath-
pr, stretch out her hand to her compan-
ion-to be repulsed. The latter was
an old man and evidently intoxicated.
He stepped behind tree as they APP
preached. He pitied the girl, who
eould hardly enjoy being stared at by a
stranger. The man was evidently 50
as to be past shame.
Soon they came opposite him, and the
man stopped and looked back. The
girl caught his arm.
''Leb m be!'' he growled.
Dear father, come home with me
1ow," syllabled the girls sweet voice
and in one breathless mo-
1enJ Melton Mayne recognized AVIS.
s.Leb m be, tell you'll exclaimed
be man, giving her furious push
7hich sent her Keeling to one side OF
he road.
The next moment the drunken mans
ollar was in Melton's strong grasp.
What are you doing?" he cried,
living his prisoner not very gentle
hake. How dare you strike a wom-
mp"
sohr' cried Avis breathlessly.
oh. / beg of you, don't hurt him! He
J my father"
Melton looked at her. and released
is hold with an air Of disgust and great
election.
Il must get him home, " said Avis,
rho was trembling like leaf.
'sCan help youP'
mo, no-only please go away"
She took her fathers arm, and with
beseeching look Of anxiety into the
odden face, started again.
Melton looked after them. This,
hen, was Avis's affliclion-the drunk
a disgraceful father she could scarce
/ ind. ct upon husband "A burden she
aust bear alone. The tears filled his
YES as he watched her delicate frame
rying TO support her companions un-
teady steps.
It was trying sight for the young
nam 10 behold. He shut his teeth and
luttered some Threatening words but
! was only TOO evident that for some
eason, Avis dreaded his interferehce.
erhaps she knew her gentle patience
, he more effactual than anOtheris