Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1886-09-04
"Don't you know the mi-the
family, I meen.n

LsO5 INV OOoi0 ~ 4p'' ~ '" : ~
and / went to the saline school, an
when she rides by and sees me SD
bows and smiles; hnt that isn't be
ing acquainted. She isas beauti
full as a Princess. 1t is time for lie
TO be at home now; she has been il
Washington I'LL the srrin ="
Ralph Calender made no answer
He was bnsy weaving true.loy
knot of grass blades, and when i
was done he gave it to Rhetta. Sh'
blnslled again over it, and went Oh
talking about flowers.
III wish could get some slips o
Colonel Porter's geraniums," slit
said, che has so many kinds, and
have only this lirtle pink one. Ant
want a root of day-lily very much
and some tea rose cuttings, and
double Genoese violet; a blue salvii
too, and-Oh, Mr.. Calender, look
here is Rose Porter now driving
up the street in her pony pheatoD
Isn't she loyelyf'
AS the jannty basket phaeton
moved slowly by, a bright, pretty
face glanced from it, smiling cor
daily at Rhett;l, and then WAS over
spread by a look OF sudden recogai
ton and pleased surprise ut sight
OF Ralph Calender, who took his
hat off respectfully.
"Why, do you know her!'' asked
Rhetta, amazed.
II fud do. She and my sister
Sally became great friends two
years ago at Newpprt-or Was il
Nahantt Aud Miss Porter spent
the holidays at our house the next
winter. 1 thought it must be she,
when you described her,"
Ralph Calender paused and
gazed rehectively at the ground
lie was recalling that gay holiday
season when Rose Porter and his
sister were the bellies Of their set
He could have counted his friends
then Joy the hundred, and now
"Poverty does make a difference"
lie thought, bitterly. All who had
1t ia their power to aid him had
turned the cold shoulder. He was
simply a poor man seeking employ
ment, and he felt ut odds with the
world.
Rletta, grown suddenly shy,
pulled away the dead leaves from
punk root and said nothing
Newport! Nahant! Aud people
like the Porters forintimare 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 returning down the street
with its pretty occupant, who stop
ped her ponies opposite the cot
tage with such an evident intention
to speak to Ralph Calender that
he at once went out Of the garden
and stood in The road at her side.
REetta saw them shake hands in
the most friendly manner, heard
Roses musical laughter and sweet
voice, though she could not disting
uiSh tue words; and in d few mo
mentS more, to her surprise, Ralph
stepped into the phaet0n, sat down
by Rose, took the reinsin his hands
and drove rapidly away, with a
backward glance and smile, which
to Rletta seemed to say:"She is all
old friend, you seel"
But when he did not come home
to dinner she thought iT strange
Her father and aunt Dorcas made
no comment, for Ralph had often
been absent at that hour when
seeking for employment. Rhetta
did not mention that he drove
away with Rose Porter, buta neigh
Dor, who had watched them, came
in during the afternoon and spoke
IF it with great interest. Aunt
Dorcas ut once felt n great interest
TOO, and Rhetta found it SO trying
TO listen to their remarks and sur.
misses that she slipped out of the
house to her garden, and did hard
in her flower beds for two
hours without sparing herself. But
she heard every step that passed
by Oh the sidewalk, and knew that
Ralph Calender did not come.
The afternoon waned restlesSly
lway. He would surely come back
,y snpper-lime; and Rhetta, in u
resh gown, with pansies at her
belt, hummed little songs as she
about setting the table for
Aunt DOrcaS.
~ wouldn't put On that dish of
loney,;'said Aunt Dorc;ls-"not till
iou see whether he's comlng."
"Oh, he'll come," said Rhetta;buU
'hc stopped singing,
Mr.. Wood came in, washed his
Ace and hands at the sink and sat
Town in his place at the table,
Aunt Dorcas passed him cup Of
ga.
where's Callenders" he asked,
ooking around.
"wby, haven't you heal said
Aunt Dorcas. SHE drove off with
Rose Porter,and we haven't caught
iight OF him since.'
1.-THE Porters are old friends of
lis" said Rhetta, flushing up.
"Hum! hump muttered her faith
II, as he drank his ted from the
saucer, in which he had cooled it.
Aunt Dorcas now questioned the !
,irl as to all she knew about this