The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-10-16

Darling's great red barn.
II wouldn't do such thing except
for Louise's sake" she said to her.
self. with burning cheeks ard eyes
glittering with mischief. "But no
one will eyer know. If 1t had been
year ago | would not have stolen
my poor little rye-straws by stealth.
Rufus Darling would have given me
anything on his farm for the sake of
Louise's bright eyes. If tnly the
meddling neighbors would have let
them alone"
And seating herselfin the midst of
the pile of FURNISHED yellow straw,
she began to select the smoothest and
most perfect Of the straws, clipping
them with her pocket scissors and de-
posting them, one by one, in little
basket by her side.
When she had made beginning
she could not resist the temptation to
run down to the old well under the
apple trees and draw a tin cup of wa.
ter, moistening the straws, and be-
ginning the pretty lace-edge braid
with eager fingers.
ut will.take more straw than had
any idea of" said she. ~ must run
back and get a few MORE"
Once more she perched herself on
her little throne amid the sweet
scented rye-straw. the brown curIs es-
Gaping over her forehead. the eager
crimson dyeing her cheek.
AT that very moment the big dou.
BILE doors were thrown open, admit
ting flood of morning sunshine,
against which stood Rufus Darling
himself, leaning picturesqueIy against
his horses shoulder.
Liias jumped to her feet, blusing
to the very roots Of her hair.
Mr.. Darling doffed his hat.
$50 you are the burgler ?" said he.
"Martin Dyer told me the barn win
dow was open, so [ came down here
to see what it meant"
"It-It isn't for myself" said Lili.
as. looking guiltily at her crisp, yell
low grain stalks "it is for Louise,
and will pay you for them, Mr.. Dar.
ling"
"Those rye straws ?" said Mr.. Oar.
ling.
"Why, l suppose whole bale of
them would be worth about three
cents. If Louise wants whole barn
full. they are at her service. But
wonder what yon are going to do
with them? Would be treason to
ask ?"
Lilias looked timidly at him. She
had fancied he would be angry. but
he was not.
He spoke with certain amused
tenderness in his tone his dark eyes
shone under their long lashes, that
curved slightly upward at the ends (.
All the old times of neighboriy
friendship seemed to come back
again there uuder the fragrant shad.
0w of the barn roof. Perhaps-per-
haps if he and Louise were to meet
again, all might 60 on as before for
surely Louise could never resist the
pleadings of those soft, magnetic
eyes,
And Lilias unfolded all her plans,
under promise of the strictest secrecy,
and hufus Darling listened with
deep-interest.
"You are going to the garden par
ty ?" she asked.
II have been invited"
"You will see her there" said
Lilias. Whoever may be there. l
am quite, quite sure that no one will
be loyelier than our Louise But |
mustn't stay any longer-it must be
nearly seven o'clock, and Louise will
wonder where | am gone. And |
have got to hide away the straws, so
that she shall know nothing about
the bonnet until it is all finished
and trimmed.
So Lilias ran away through the
woods with her apron full of rye
straws, leaving Rufus Darling stand
ing on the barnthreshold, with one
hand shading his eyes, while Max,
the horse, munched the sweet, white
clover that grew almost to the door.
The little bonnet proved an unde-
niable success. 1t was like glisten-
ing golden sea.shell. with the cluster
of pink everlastings dropping over
its brim, and the shadowy knots Of
soft, black lace beneath. And the
white organdie dress was almost as
beautiful as new, and the tears OF
gratified pride came into Lilias' eyes
as she saw how pretty Louise looked
in her impromptu outfit.
dearest Lilly, 1 wish you were
going, too! |" said Louise, tenderly