Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-08-26

flo wers.
4 wish could get some slips of Col
onel Porter's geraniums, she said 4; 'he
has so many kinds, and | have only
this little pink one. And | want a
root Of day-lily very much, and sone
tea.rOse cuttings, and double GenoeSe
violet n blue SALIVA too, and Oh,
Mr.. Calender, look There is Rose
Porter now drying up the street in her
pony phaeton. Ish't she lovely p
AS the jaunty basket phaeton moved
slowly by, a bright, pretty face glanced
from it, t,smlling cordially ut Rhetta, and
then was over spread by look of sud.
den recognition and pleased surprise at
sight of Ralph Calender, who took his
hat off respectfully.
'Why, do you know her p asked
Rhetta, amazed.
Il And | do. She and my sister Sal
ly became great 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
retlectiyely at the ground. He was 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 hun
dred, and Poverty does make a
difference he thought bitterly. All
who had it in their power to aid him
turned the cold shoulder. He was
simply poor man seeking employ
ment, and he felt at odds with the
world.
Rhetta, grown suddenly shy, pulled
away the dead leaves from pink root
and said nothing. Newport Nahant!
And people like the Porters for inti-
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 is pretty
occupant. who stopped her ponies op-
posite the cottage with such an evident
intention to speak to Ralph .Callender
that he at once went out of the garden
and stood in the load at her side.
Rhetta saw them shake hands in the
most frienly manner, heard Roses mu.
steal laughter and sweet voice, though
she could not distinguish the words
and in few moments more,to her sur
prise, Ralph stepped into the phaeton,
sat down by Rose. took the reins in his
hands and drove rapidly away, with a
backward glance and smile, which to
Rhetta seemed to say 'She is an old
friend, you see =
But when he did not come home to
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 be
drove away with Rose Porter, but a
neighbor, who had watched them,
came in during the afternoon and
spoke of it with great interest. Aunt
Dorcas at once felt great interest
too, 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 for two hours without
sparing herself. But she heard every
step that passed by on the sidewalk,
and knew that Ralph Calender 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
oOuSo 40 oilc liOfcu dUOuJ ocGIlIS luC
table for Aunt Dorcas.
Il wouldn't put on that dish of hon.
ey " said Aunt Dorcas-'not till you
see whethor he's coming
'Oh, he'll come,' said Rhetta !; but
she stopped singing.
Mr.. Wood came in. washed his face
and hand at the sink and sat down in
his place at the table. Aunt Dorcas
passed him cup of tea.
where's Calender p he asked, look
ing around.
why, haven't you heard p said
Aunt Dorcas. 'He drove off with
Rose Porter, and we haven't caught
sight of him since.'
The Porters are old friends of his, ,
said Rhetta flushing up.
Hum ! hum y muttered her father,
as he drank his tea from the saucer, in
which he had cooled it.