The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-22
JUST A WILLFUL GIRL.

had H ought not to go"
''Dear, you look so pretty and so dainty in it,
what can you sayl I'm sorry, but"
''Oh, well, if you like it; perhaps it's because
have worn it so many times; the lace is mended
in ever so many places; it's really such an
old friend, Esther, that / am tired of it and
must get new one somewhere
'Tessy, Tessy, can't bear to hear you talk
like that not even in jest" The pale sweet
face of the older sister had grown paler still.
breath came quick 'If you want a new dress
there is Some money, some silver laid away in
the box there-but we can get along-and you
must uso it."
She stopped; it seemed that the crowdng tears
would not let her go further. Her voice gave
out
"Esther"-and the pretty young girl took that
pale, quivering face in her two slim hands-''you
thought was in earnest? You thought could
take that money! You could think so badly as
that of me2 No, will never joke again. / will
always be in dead earnest Ihave noticed before
now that get into great deal of trouble be-
cause of my foolish habit of joking And now
now kiss me-"
tears not quite vanished from her own eyes,
proud to touch with soft caress the round
cheek turned so prettily towards herr
lyon know your pretty way of joking makes
one of my greatest pleasures" she answered,
ard am foolish old woman, but if you want
the dress
"Willst du mir NIGHT einen kuss gebenr called
q clear voice from the open window. Both wom-
en- turned. A pleasant face-blonde with a
blonde beard, and pleasant blue eyes smiling
from fhipx wa nf linz fair hoir-
peeriug at them.
'Oh, Joseph, is it you2" two voices spoke to-
gether. This smiling appartion, Joseph Miller,
held out dewy knot of fowers-all green
leaves white buds and tiny tendrils Their ex-
quisite fragrance filed the room.
1T is my contribution" he said, flushing be-
hind the curtain that he pushed back with one
hand. II got them as | came along at Floyd's +"
All, alf how beautiful! How can we thank
yon, Joseph! Oh why was not born flower
lust white rose like thiss Then / should not
have to trouble about new dress. Now, Miss
Esther Payne!"
:. The blue eyes of the young man had been from
the first fixed on this SLIM fair, flower bud of
girl, who was lowering over his gift in an costa
cy of delight The eyes flashed now with pleas
IRE, as she took spray of buds from the bunch
and turned to her sister
oYan may put these right there, if you please
there in eehat bunch of curls over my forehead
SO; that improves the matter"
''She has been fret..ing about her dress" ex-
planned Miss Payne to t,e young man in the
window
Her dressl Why, what is the mater with it,"
ne asked, opening his eyes wide
ut is old, and it is old-fashioned. and it IS
ugly. calculated Tessy, with emphasis
WIN, was just thinking how pretty it is.
and wondered if you had made it new for the
occasion, remarked that stupid young man.
''All that green color with the white, Just like
an apple and bud; thought you must be a
flower bud yourself unfolding.
Miss Payne smiled, but Therese made dainty
face.
t1 me lace is mended all over, but then it's
real lace--real Mechlin lace" she observed, be-
wildering her masculine admirer with grave
technicalities.
Happily he only saw the face, the brown hair
ruffiing on the forehead, the lovely eyes that
laughed at him, the low, sweet voice that patron
lied him.
''Oh Blume, weisse Blume!' he repeated rap
turously.
''Please don't talk in that awkward German"
cried out Tessy, pettishly. ut only makes me
think OF my school lessons. and / can't under
stand it, either. How can tell whether you are
laughing at me or paying me compliment"
The young man laughed. "Oh, Blume!" he re-
peated; "Oh, flower! l was paying you a compli
Inent-a just tribute"
sand the other-when you first came9"
Joseph blushed and fdgeted.
''That-oh, that was just nonsense; l must
The grave, soft eyes of Miss Payne looked at
him rs if she would say she had no fear he
would say to them aught that would be displeas
ing. She glanced at his dress and then said
doubtfully:
''Were you going to the park-were you on
your wayP
Joseph shrugged his shoulders, smiling.
81 shall go presently. But shall wait till
the brass band and speech-making are over /
don't wish to be deafened and disguised at the
same time.
Both of the women laughed at his unmistak-
able look OF aisia5ttoc. Therese nodded at him
from over her shoulder, her little white hat
with its bluebells and snow-drops making a
ghs.aSow Tor Ter eyes to slime out of into his.
sob, querulous musician! l wonder that a
young man who has such an ear FOR dlscord can't
make better music of his own especially when
he is the owner of, besides the cat, a genuine
Paganini violin There, have got some of the
Southern wood on me, and if they smell me In
advance they viii think whole village Sunday
school is coming. Goodbye Goodbye"
The two young people went away in opposite
directions, and Miss Payne, left alone, sat for a
long time in the little room in the lowering sun
shine, silent, but not quite sad; at least her
smile was stronger than her tears, and held its
place on her placid mouth. For it was Tessy
she was thinking of, the pretty, young, brown
haired maiden, between whom and utter loneh
ness and helplessness in hard world only her
own frail lfe-and Joseph. For Joseph loved
the charming, home-sweet Iessy; Esther was
sure Of that But Tessyl All! she was the
''weisse Blume" truly-the white flower about
which the swan might circle, singing its plant
i've song till it should die.
81 WISH OH wish'-and Esther clapped he1
hands together with nervous foree-'I wish
Tessy could love him. could die happy then.
The large tears rose anu fell.
''Surely, a girls heart is not so hard to whit
one knows the way
And the trouble was that Joseph did not 'knov
The way.n He was good, he was gentle and kind
he would flush and stammer when the merry lit
1e maid asked him but to do something for her
then he would rush and stumble his owl
feet dozen times in the effort to obey her, ant
Tessy would laugh at him.
whilst du mir NIGHT einen kuss gebenG"
al think" said Esther to herself, Il think
Joseph would saw that to her some day in earnes
and claim the kiss, and take it as his right, b
might win my little Therese."
But just here the trouble was. Joseph wa
afraid. His great love for the poor young girl
the white flower of his song, made him a cow