The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-21

that Rose was cruel, from the midst Of
her wealth, her luxury, and her dozens
of lovers, to come swooping down
upon this one chance of bliss in life.
time. For Rhetta was sure that in al
the years to come she should never,
never marry. That was all over from
this time forth.
The crickets hummed about her, the
nightmoths brushed by her unheeded
the moon rose, but she did not know it.
She was thinking how she should live
all her life long in the little old house.
After while her Aunt Dorcas would
die, and she would be left alone with her
father. Then after while he too would
die, and she would live on there, an
old lonely woman. From this reverie
she was aroused by the stopping Of
wheels and cheerful voices at the gate.
'Rhetta! Rhettar shouted some.
body, in joyous, manly tones
She rose to her feet in the moon
light, bewildered and uncertain. Was
she dreaming, or was it really Ralph
calling her?
"Rhetta, is that you under the plum
gate"
Yes, that was Ralph calling her.
With girlish celebrity she smoothed
back her disordered hair and ran to
the gate. There he stood, his arms
filled with flowers, which he loaded
npon her, while Colonel Porter.
coachman, who had brought him home
was almost staggering under the weigh
of an immense basket, full of bloom
and fragrance, which he made haste to
deposit on the garden walk.
Every thing is here" said Ralph,
gayly-"the geraniums, the tay-lilies,
the tea-rose bushes and the buble vio-
lets. Roots, slips, cutting, all you
wanted, you have them nov, and Ill
set them every one out for Fou."
80, how beautiful! how beautiful
murmured Rhetta, very softly and
gently. She was wholly overcome by
this strange ending of Ter passionate
grief.
The coachman departed, leaving the
two lovers alone in tie moonlit gar
den. Lovers they we're, for Ralph
drew Rhetta close to his heart, while
he placed upon her finger the ring
that had waited hidden in his pocket.
you know what this means, darl-
ing?" ne said, fervently. "My way is
clear before me now Colonel Porter
has given me a chance in his own bust
ness, beyond any thing dared to hope.
You don know how hard it has been
for me to wait till had right to ask
you to be my own little Rhetta always
-always!"
Happy Rhetta! The moon ought to
have laughed right out to see how her
face had changed, it was so full now
of smiles and bushes. Aunt Dorcas,
hurrying home an hour later, eager to
explain how she had gone to sit awhile
with poor old Mrs. Davis, who had
sciatica, was taken all aback by hearing
merry voices under the pluln-tree, and
finding Ralph and Rhetta there at
work with trowels setting out roots and
tying up plants.
''Rose Porter sent me all these!" ex-
claimed Rhetta, triumphantly-''a all
this great basketful of loveliness and
luxury, and we must set them every
one out tonight, because night is the
best time, and they will get the dew"
For the land sakesr' calculated
Aunt Dorcas. Don't We want the
lantern?''
80, the moon is as bright as day"
said Ralph, as he paused to choose a
place for fine blue SALIVA.
well! WE'LL" the old lady exclaimed
and then, us if she dimly comprehended
that something in the glamour ofyouth
and romance might make it thing to
be desired to dig in gardens at unusual
hours, she said no more, but went
quietly into the house.-Mary L. B.
Branch, IN HGrper'S Bazar.