Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-06-12

band; the plant grew quickly, and to-day
what you have done for me, | beg you to
accept its flowers" And, with tears in her
eyes she held toward him small exquis-
itely selected bunch of fragrant white
azalias.
Taking the blossoms tenderly he lifted
them to his lips. What pretty idea
Who but you would have thought of re-
warding a common deed of kindness SO
sweetly? | shall cherish these flowers, they
are SO like you. Did you really pick them
for me?"
Yes, and selected them out of many. 1t
was ali | had. II ever | can reward you
better tell me, for | would willingly do you
any favor to pay the debt Of gratitude l owe
You | assure you | feel my obligation
deeply, said Millicent, blushing.
There is reward you could give me
now; but | scarcely dare ask it. for know
Captain gazed at Millicent with look that
brought bright blush to the young girls
cheek.
= Perhaps it is not she replied, hesitat-
ingly. don't think l understand you"
Well, then, Millicent- nay | call you
that the drawing-room term of Miss does
not suit our simple life here" And, as she
nodded assent, he continued, Win you
answer question, even hard one?"
" will try"
Tell me. then, if ever in the heart where
the plant of gratitude grew another far
swe ter flower has grown?"
THAT of friendship do you mean 2"
Yes; the plant might be called friend
ship, but its blossom is love- All, Milii-
cent! may not take the fairest of these
. -, . 10
call it love surrounded by gratitude? Then
Millicent looked, beyond the ardent gaze
of the Captain. into the lake, and made no
reply;
Throwing off the language of flowers,
and all language but that OF simple truth,
the reward desire above all on earth is
yourself. | know my request is bold one,
and | ought, | suppose, not to make il for
months, if ever But come il must, and
tonight my heart has forced it to my lips
' 1t is very sudden" Millicent answered,
family.
% l know that, but, after all, most deep
feelings are sudden. In the savages, with
whom you have been associated, have you
not seen that hate and other strong passions
develop in a moment? Why, then, should
not love, in more appropriate soil, spring
to life? 1t certainly has taken deep root in
my heart. Give me some answer, Mill
cent, if it be but that of hope deferred. Can
you ever love me?'
What if l do now ?" said Millicent de
murely.
DO you really, Millicent? Then l am
the proudest, happiest man alive" said
Merwin. And, possessing himself of both
her hands, kissed them vehementiy.
Z" trust am doing right Captain Mer-
win | am almost sure love you
Thank you, dearest thank you, for
your sweet words. Your reward tor them
shall be my life devoted to Your service.
And he drew her TO him and kissed her
lips
You deserve a whole life of thanks,
Captain Merwin-"
Call me Harold
for releasing me from such a captiv-
ity, Harold, and, lastly, from death, or
worse than DEATH And weeping, she
threw her arms about his neck and buriet!
her head on his shoulder
NY brave darling, hope and believe
your troubles are at an end. | only won
der your strength has survived the hard
ships of such life as yours has been the
past year.
Think Of how much has happened in
the last short weeks !"
True, ours has been courtship III
which the bitter and the sweet have been
equally mingled, but now the peace COM
piete is coming love, for King Philip is
dead and the war is over. ''-FdnIy Bullock
Workman IN The Ne'c England Mdgd=iae.