The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1886-08-12

~duudclOuS u tuinS. why L "ouiuh Y
dare"
Don't you know them?-.he family.
l mean"
mo; how could L? Rose Porter and
I went 10 the same school, and when
she rides by and sees me she bows and
smiles, but that isn't being acquainted.
She is as beautiful as a princess. 1t is
time for her to be at home now; she
has been in Washington 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 blushed
again over it, and went on talking
about flowers.
81 wish L could get some slips of
Col. Porter's geraniums," she said, "he
has so many kinds, and | have only
this little pink one. And l want q root
of daylily very much, and some tea
rose cuttings, and IL double Genoese
violet; a blue SALIVA too, and-Oh, Mr..
Calender look! There is Rose Porter
now, driving up the street in her pony
phaeton. Isn't she lovely?"
AS the jaunty basket phaeton moved
slowly by, Il pretty, bright face glanced
from it, smiling cordially at Rhetta.
and then was o~verspread by a look of
sudden recognition and pleasant sur
prise at sight of Ralph Calender, who
took his hat off respectfully.
''Why, do you know her?9" asked
Rhetta amazed.
81 find | do. She and my sister Sal
ly became good friends two years ago
at Newport-or was it Nahant! And
Miss Porter spent the holidays at our
house the next winter. | thought it
must be she, when you described her."
Ralph Calender paused and gazed
refiectively at the ground. He vas re-
calling 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 hum
dred, and nOW-.Poverty does make
a difference" he thought bitterly. All
who had it in their power to aid him
had turned the cold shoulder. He was
simply q poor man seeking employ
ment, 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 init
mate friends. 1t seemed to remove
Ralph far from her quiet, even life,
and to set him where she had no part.
The basket phaeton was now seen re-
turning down the street with its pref
ty occupant, who stopped her ponies
opposite the cottage with such IN evil
dent intention of speaking to Ralph
Calender that he at once went out of
the garden and stood in the road at her
side. Rhetta saw them shake hands in
the most friendly manner, heard her
musical laughter and sweet voice,
though she could not distinguish the
words; and in Il few moments more, to
her surprise, Ralph stepped into the
phaeton, sat down by Rose, took the
reins in his hands and drove rapidly
away, with a backward smile, which
seemed to say, ''She is al old friend,
you see!"
But when he did not come home for
dinner she thought it strange. Her
father and Aunt DOrcas made no COM
ment, for Ralph had often been absent
at that hour when seeking for employ
ment. Rhetta did not mention that he
drove away with Rose Porter, but 4
neighbOr, who had watched them,
came in during the afternoon and spoke
of it with great interest. Aunt Dorcas
at nee felt a great interest. toe, and
Rhetta found it so trying to listen to
their remarks and surmises that she
slipped out of the house to her garden,
and did hard wedding in her flower
beds without sparing herself. But she
heard every step that passed by on the
sidewalk, and knew thai Ralph Callen-
der did not come.
The afternoon waned restlessly away.
He would surely come back BY supper
time; and Rhetta, in a fresh gown,
with pansies at her belt, hummed little
songs as she moved about setting the
table for Aunt Dorcas.
Il wouldn't put on that dish of
honey" said Aunt Dorcas-'not till
you see whether he's coming"
'.Oh, he'll come" said Rhetta; but
she stopped singing.
Mr.. Wood came in, washed his hands
at the sink and sat down in his place at
the table. Aunt Dorcas passed him a
cup OF tea.
''Where's Callender" he asked,
looking around.
''Why, haven't you heard?" said
Aunt Dorcas. 'sHe drove off with Rose
Porter and we haven't caught sight of
him since"
1.-The Porters are old friends of his,
said Rhetta flushing up.
Hum! hunt" muttered her father,
as he drank his tea from the saucer, in
which he had cooled it.
Aunt Dorcas now questioned the girl
as to all she knew about this old friend
ship and at the close, said, with the
air of one who meant to do her duty
by all, no matter how mercilessly:
..Well like as not they'll make a match
of it. Birds of a feather flock togeth-
er."
Supper was over, cleared away. and
all the dishes washed. but still Ralph
Calender did not come. As it grew
dark Mr.. Wood strolled off to chat with