Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-09-09
MAYSIE's LOVER.

1Zlng lnVltaulOH 70 MdySle W leaNe Tools
and walls behind and follow them tc
the green wood. Not that the pantry is
an unpleasant place by any means.
viands of goodly odor line its shelves,
and Maysie's occupation indicate that
more are to be added, for, with rolling
pin and board, snowy flour, golden but.
ter, basket piled high with eggs, and
arms barred to the elbow, Maysie is
making pies.
.'Ivow, Maysie, you're slower than
cold molasses," says her mother, APP
pearing at the pantry door, broom and
dust pan in hand. IF you knew who S
comm up the road, lookin' as if he
wanted to take somebody to ride, you'd
hurry up with them pies. If you look
ed at your paste more and out of the
winder less you'd get through quicker"
and the matron passed on.
Maysie is conscious that vehicle
stops at the front gate, a deep bass
voice and a childish treble mingle in
question and answer, and then-Oh,
misery! that horrid little Bob is show
ing somebody around the corner of the
house and leads him directly up to the
pantry window.
; The gentleman losses his hat on the
grass behind him, leans his arms on the
window-sill, and says languidly ut
looks cool in there, can come in p
''Of course not"
.'But, why?'
"Because there isn't room for two"
replies Mayse, rolling her paste briskly.
From an inner room calls Maysie's
mother, saying: when you 60 out,
Maysie, want you to 60 over to the
village and see about Bess' graduatin'
dress"
"You see," says John Hartwell this
is an eligible opportunity. Bess needs
her dress, you need the air, l need
your comrany--if you allow me TO men
ton my humble needs, and AS n fin
ishing inducement-'you may drive"
Then l will go and dress" says
Maysic.
When they are finally driving along
the pleasant country road Hartwell
glanccs at Maysie with undisguised sat
isfaction, and presently remarks Z:
"You arc a pretty creature, Maysiew
Sorry | can't return the compli-
ment!"
Il am good but not pretty asserts
Hartwel.
Then if you are good, tell me what
10 buy to-day
''Of what naturc-for what obiect?"
I'm going to buy dress for Bess'
-fourishing her right hand-"and 4
dress for me" -tlourishnG her left
hand-"and they must be alike and
they must be either white or blue.
Tell me-" with solemnity, chow would
you like to see me dressed.
Clothed in white samite, mystic,
wonderful"
Maysie jerks the reins and hastens
the gait of the animal she is driving.
Don't abuse your horse, Maysie,"
says Hartwell, covering her small
hand, which is undeniably coarsened
by the household tasks that fall to the
lot of poor farmers eldest daughter,
with his own, far winter and softer;
for Hartwell tolls not, neither does he
spin, being the poSscssOr of small for
tune, which enables him to dispense
with all labor except hcad-work sufli-
Gent to keep his money well invested.
This is our parting drive" he adds.
"Parting!' echoes the girl, tremu-
lousy.
.'Yes; | have business which calls
me away. can't tell how long | shall
be gone, but when come back-which
will be as soon rs possible, Maysie-I
shall have a question to ask you"
His eyes are fixed on her face, and
che makes no reply, other than a rosy
flood of color.
Il don't ask the questi, May.
sic" he continues, after pause, "be.
cause l am bound by promise; but
when you see me again | shall be free
to ask it. Will you wait till / come,
dear?"
Maysie has never before had a lover
but she can not fail to understand him
She looks every way except in the dark
eyes which seem to search her very
soul; the horse which she is pretending
to drive follows his own sweet will, ant
nearly upsets them. Answer me-, >
urges Hartwel's low voice, and finally
Maysie succeeds in mumbling, half in
audibly, perhaps So at the sam,
time briskly Strengthening up and com
pelling her Grant steed to pursue tn,
path of rectitude. Hartwell seems
quite satisfied with the silly littl,
answer, for a smile curves his lips, ant
they remain silent until they present.,
enter the little country village.
He follows her about while sh,
garvely makes her simple purchases
hesitatiug long between cream colo
and blue nuns yelling.
"Why don't you help me?" she say
petulantly. what are you good for?'
This" says Hartwell, laying hi
finger on the blue, will match you
sister Bess' eyes"
but for me! for men' impatiently
Nothing was ever worn to match m,
eyes"
This is true. Eyes too expressly
to be blue, too lovely to be gray" n
one has yet discovered the color @
Maysie's deep and changeful orbs.
You see," she says, Il should tax
the cream and be done with it, bu
there isn't ribbon in this little tow
that would harmonic with it.'
''And, of course. you couldn't e
without ribbons; that would be to
dreadful" gravely.
''Well, it would, you know" an
Maysic again ponders with the cream
cloth between her thumb and fingers.