Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-07-31

| OOND ohNt ollllSc DuC tlitll lSll \ bClllS
acquainted. She is as beautiful as a
princess. 1t is time for her to be at
home now ; she has been in Washing
ton all the Spring"
Ralph Calender made no answer.
He was busy weaving Il true-love
knot of grass blades and when it was
done he gave it to Rhetta. She blush
ed again over it, and went on talking
about flowers.
81 wish 1 could get some slips of
Colonel Porter's, geraniums," she
said; che has so many kinds, and 1
have only this little pink one. And
l want root of day-lily very much,
and some tea-rose cuttings, and a
double Genoese violet; a blue SALIVA,
too, and-oh, Mr.. Calender, look /!
There is Rose Porter now, driving up
the street in her pony pheton. Isn't
she lovely?"
AS the juanty basketpheton moved
slowly by, bright, pretty face
glanced from it, smiling cordially at
Rhetta, and then was overspread by
a look of sudden recognition and
pleased surprise at sight of Ralph
Calender, who took off his hat re-
specially.
"Why, do you know her?" asked
Rhetta, amazed.
81 find | do. She and my sister
Sallie became great friends two years
ago at Newport tor was it Nahant
And Miss Porter spent the holidays
at our house the next winter. 1
thought it must be she when you de-
scribed her."
Ralph Calender paused and gazed
refectivelyat the ground. He was
recalling that gay holiday season
when Rose Porter and his sister were
the bellies OF their set. He could have
counted his friends then by the hun
dred, and now poverty does make
a difference he thought bitterly.
All who had it in their power to aid
him had turned a cold shoulder. He
was simply poor man seeking en-
ployment, and he felt at odds with
the world.
Rhetta, grown suddenly shy, pulled
away the dead leaves from a pink
root, and said nothing. Newport
Nahant! And people like the PorterS
for intimate friends! 1t seemed to
remove Ralph far from her quiet,
even life, and to set him where she
had no part.
The basket pheton was now seer
returning down the street, with its
pretty occupant, who stopI ed hel
ponies opposite the cottage with such
an evident intention to speak to
Ralph Calender that he at once went
out of the garden and stood in the
road at her side. Rhetta saw then
shake hands in the most friendly
manner, heard Roses musical laugh
ter and sweet voice, though she coul(
not dis inguish the words; and in ;
few moments more, to her surprise
Ralph stepped into the pheton, sa
3 down by rose, took the reirs in hi
hands, and drove rapidly away, will
a backward glance and smile, which
to Rhetta seemed to say:
.'She is an old friend, you seeW
i, But when he did not come home t
dinner, she thought it strange. He
. father and Aunt Dorcas made n
comment, for. Ralph had often bee
absent at that hour when seeking 70
= employment. Rhetta did not men
u ton that he drove away with Ros
Porter, but a neighbor who ha
:, watched them, came during the after
}, noon and spoke of it with great intel
u est. Aunt Dorcc,s at once felt a grea
i interest, too, and Rhetta found it S
y trying to listen to their remarks an
surmises that she slipped out of tn
= house to her garden, and did har
i wedding in her flower beds for tw
hours, without sparing herself. Bu
= she heard every step that passed b
!; on the sidewalk, and knew tn;
u Ralph Calender did not come.
The afternoon wancd restlessl
u away. He would surely come bac
D by supper-time; and Rhetta, in
fresh gown, with pansies at her bel
u hummed little songs as she move
l. about setting the table for Aunt DO
:, ces.
81 81 wouldn't put on that dish
honey" said Aunt Dorcas-"not tt
/ you see whether he's coming"
y ooh, he'll come" said Rhettq; b.
~ she stopped singing.