The Wilmingtonian., 1886-09-25
A WaYAIsIe CLOVER.


"a gay, clattering processon-girls with lau-
rel-wreathed hats, young men bearing shawls
and baskets, a matron or two; last of all
stephen Fulton, child IN either side OF
him, and in his arms little Nanny Forsythe
. half asleep. Wherever Stephen went tchildren
followed, led by attraction irresistible as
that which draws iron filings to the magnet.
Grown people could not understand this at
traction, but the little ones never mistook
about it. Sleepy as she was, Nanuy's small
hand Kept patting his shoulder as they went
along, and her voice cooed words of drowsy
endearment which made Stephen smile,
gloomy as he felt that day, Each cheerful
reriy to the chldrens questions cost an
effort but he spoke cheeiily all the same,
and tried to keep his eyes from wandering
forward to where Captain Hallett walked by
the side of Mlly Graves, with his handsome
head very near hers, aud his voice murmur-
ing low sentences in audible to the rest ul
the party. Many glances were sent back at
this couple from those in advance, for Nea,
Ha,lctt was the novelty of the moment a
hero and a stranger; and the girls, who
were only too well-dsposed to pull caps for
him, thought it quite too bad" Of Milly to
absorb his attentions as she had done all
day.
But, after all, what could Milly, what
could any girl, do, when an all-conquering
captain takes up his position at her side early
MOI ming and leaves it until late afternoon ?
iS in, II 10
and Stephanie De Witt, in front, was partly
justified in calling it "a desperate Irritation,
although fear the pout with which she
spoke was due rather to amour pr0pre than
outraged morals. But on Milly's side it
was not Irritation. For all her merry, saucy
just the woman to, give "gold for DUST
and stake her all in that unequal barter SO
common in this world of misunderstood
values.
Htr lair cheeks were flushed aud her blne
'eyes full of shy excitement as they walked
ialohg, talking about-dear me, whom do
people talk about when then are young and
sofdifferent sexes? Captain Hallett's fine
eyes said more than his tongue his martial
imustache seemed to give point and value to
nothinns. lie carried a 1.-THE little cane
with which he emphasized his sentences
now cutting the air, now beheading a null
Elm, way which Millg thought fascinating.
A nd then Love Lane was such pretty spot
the very place to be eloquent in. Its wind
ling tarns were hedged with fragrant groNths
--~woOdbine, brier, sweet fern and bay.
Overhead the trees met and clasped in shady
'arches. Here aud there pink honeysuckle
glinted in the network Of green. Or train OF
shimmering clemats The pure primrose
light of a cloudless sunset sifted down
through the canopy of boughs; light breeze
stirred, full of delicious smells. 1t was like
an evening in fairy land.
Suddenly a turning brought them to a
fern clad bank, against which, set in frame
work Of tremulous verdure, stood one rost
perfect wild wood pink, poised at tip of a
cIusteg of vivid leaves. 1t was like an en-.
ohanted queen, Milly thought.
allow beautiful y she cried; but even as
the words left her lips the restless cane flew
Through the air, fiicked the rose from its
stem, and sent it into the, dusty road, a little
uwhirlw ind of broken leaves accompanying its
fall.
'"What pity ?" she said, involuntariy.
"drs only wild rose, you know" sur
lprised.
"But don't you like wild roses? ~
'On, yes but there are SO many Of then
that it is hardly worth while to waste senti
ment on a single on, land the captain show
ed his fine teeth in smile that was the leas
bit cruel
Mlly sighed and cast a regretful look be
hind. Her gentle nature felt for the fair de
spotted thug. But, after all, there were
plenty Of wild roses, as Captain Hallett said
and presently she forgot her sympathy anl
its cause. Another turning in the Ian
brought them to the village outskirts, an
TO Squire Aliens gate, where the rest of tn
party were waiting, There were good bye
Ito say, divisions to make. Mrs. Allen wa
intent on securing to each person his or he
own basket, Kitty FELTON, was counting tea
spoons, Stephanie hunting for missn
plate. In the midst of these researehe
Stephen came up with the children. II
hooked weary, and he put Nanny into he
mothers arms with an air of relief, disrt
garding the drowsy protest which she nj
tered.
"What lovely rose, Stephen ~ said som
of the girls ''Where did you find it2"
SIN the road" replied Stephen. "Som,
body had switched it off its stem and eft
to die, so we picked it up
Eyes, and Mr.. FELTON, said it was sham
to treat a flower So" put in little boy.
The captain listened impassively, but Mill
gave half paiued glance at the fowe
''That was just like you, S,ephen," sf
said, softly, and Stephen frightened for I'll
first time that day.
1t seemed to Stephen, looking back, tha
his love for Mily had begun when he was
boy Of five al d she was baby in the cradl
He could not recollect the time when he di
not prefer her to all other girls. At scho
he was her knight, his sled, his jack knit
his help, always at her service. Stephe
taught her to skate, to row. 1t was he WI
brought her the first maple sugar, the fir
arbutus he who took her ol sleighrides, al
walked home with her from church and Il
village tea parties. Milly absorbed thes
services not ungratefully, but as matter
course. She had been used to them from h