The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-09-30

tened out and greeted the part,
warmly. They heard him invit
them, especially pressing the ladies
to come in and stay for tea; bu
they declined, Ed Thorne addin,
mischievously: Draw it mild OLD
chum. As a ruls these girls neve
refuse anthing; bat | suppose the,
don't want to frighren your mothe
too much just at first
Miss Longstreet told him to mint
bis horses and not their conversa
tion or some one else would b,
frightened, and so with laughter anc
many charges from Ned to come uE
to see them, they drove off. Anc
this was but the beginning of a ser
les of driving and pleasure partie.
inaugurated and carried out in tn,
weeks to come. Susie was always
included in the invitations, bu
somehow she did not enjoy then
very much. She and Helen Long
street became very good friends, but
she always felt abashed by Nettit
Thorne's exuberant spirits and gay
manner. In most of their parties
Ed Thorne was almost the shadow
of the stately Helen, and Cousin
John always watched after Susie's
comfort, but somehow Nettie seemed
to have the pleasure of his company
most of the time.
All things come to an end, and SO
the pleasant summer days slipped
by and Mrs Thorne and the young
people were preparing for their flight
city-ward. Aunt Esther had prom
ised Miss I.ongstreet to let Susie
spend few weeks in town with her
and preparations for the visit were
now hurried forward, but Susie took
but languid interest in them. She
puzzled Aunt Esther sorely-with
nothing apparently the matter with
her, vet she seemed to be losing her
color and was listless and indiffer-
ent even the shopping for the pro-
posed visit seemed to give her but
little pleasure.
1t was the eve of Susie's departure
for the city and Der new Saratoga
trunk "a present from Cousin john
stood strapped and ready in the
hall. She had been for a walk
the orchard, and as she was
coming back by the lane she met
him hunting for her, "Why, here
is my little redbird." he said, gayly
with a suggestive pull at her hair.
Il have been searching high and
low for you. and had about reached
the conclusion that you had depart
ed tor parts unknown by yourself,
without waiting for the morning
Hey little one, is that so, with
pull. Susie did not answer
there seemed to be lump in her
throat and she could lot.
"See here" he continued, show do
you like my farewell gift ?"
Il think it is lovely" said Susie,
finding her voice so large and
roomy, and just the thing every
way"
"Large," said cousin. in q puzzled
tone "and roomy why child, where
are your eyes ?"
Susie looked up and then stopped
short, with an exclamation of pleas
ant surprise. Cousin John held in
his hand slender gold chain, from
which depended a beautiful dead
gold locket
There. take it," he said, it won't
bite you"
She took it from him and sprung
he catch, and then stopped short
again. In one side he put Aunt Es-
hers picture. in the other his own
smiled up at her.
II did not want you to forget your
nome folks, you see" he said. you
will be meeting such charming peo-
Die at Miss Longstreet's." q"
"That will never be-" exclaimed
Susie, vehemently.
"No, / think your affection for
Aunt Esther is as enduring as the
hills, but poor me, you see, that's
he rub. / suppose you will learn
he ways of most city girls and be-
,ome quite heart breaker. in fact.
,e initiated into the mysteries of the
art known as flirting" he
with fine disgust.
Susie looked at him in surprise.
Don't mind me, dear" he said
n his usual tone, your going away
las spoiled my temper.
'sIf YOU don't want me to go l
von't," Susie said, fiatteringly.
What? and lose all the fun and
he sights? No. we are not so mean
s all that. Only don't forget US
|uite," opening the gate for her and |
hen stopping short at a glance at
Ter face. Susie y he exclaimed,
'ut Susie hurried on. He caught |
lp to her. Susie, wait one mo-
nent. l had not intended to tell |
ou this for awhile, not for a year, |
'erhaps, you are so young, but |
annot help ii. Susie, dear, / love !
ou, love you dearly; answer me,
10 you care anything for me ?" But
'usie turned her head. ut is as |
hought; | have spoken too soon /;
have frightened you," he said.
But Susie turned at this and said,
Not too soon, but too late"
Cousin John paled. Too late ?"
e asked +; 1T is some one else,
hen p
mo, but | thought you loved
ONE one else, and that some one
'ettie Thorne."
"Nettie Thornel be exclaimed. |
A madcap like Nettie Thornel No
indeed. Why, she is engaged to be
married. herself, and was when she
rst came here. Her intended hus- I
and is even now returning from
is trip abroad, where he has been
n business connected with his firm.
usie, my darling, is that your only
bjection to me ?"
And Susie's blushing face told him
was.
n 1
Susie went to the city and enjoy
i her visit extremely. Before she
home Nettie Thorne was
,arried, and strange to relate, Su-