The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-13


alone would remain at home, whatever
might be the inducement offered TO tempt M
from my unswerying course ] was little
Mr.. HAYNES, and little Mis-. Haynes was
bent on remaining.
But while I wa in the very midst Of my
heroic devotion terrible rum0r reached my
ears a ruinor that FRANK Haynes my ,ell
appointed lord and master, was engaged to a
young and beautiful lady in the city. II was
dreadful blow to my precious hopes and
plans, though for long time battled agailst
credi.ing the report Hadn't Frank told me
that he would never look about for a wiiei
that | was the only little lady who should
bear his nalnef Didn't he write me regu-
larry every fortnight, commencing his letters,
Dear little Mrs. Haynes" and telling NE to
be faithful to hirnf And-snd would be do
this ii he vas engsgedl No, not BIT Of iti
Some one had Lnaliciously lied about him,
had manufactured the story from their own
wicked imagination. would not believe 1t,
though the whole world stood up before me
and testified 10 the truth
AS if to reward me for my faith, and set
my prejudiced little mind to right, the next
coach set Franz: down at our door. tie
thought he must come and see his little wife
once more, he said, as | went timidly forward
to meet him, though lie thought II very
Dad taste ia Inc TO grow at such rapid rate.
He was afraid Id grow out Of my engage
ment he should have TO pat loaf Of Lot
bread on my head 10 keep me within bounds.
We had been engaged two year,. was l.
years old, and head taller than | was at 10.
He was going to Europe u stay three OF four
years What would be when lac returnedi
lie did not dare TO think He believed would
be Us tall as he by that time. Wouldn't l.
81 hoped so,n answered, tartly, thinking
the while of the story Of the engagement.
"Whew You are taking Oh the airs OF r
fine young lady already, my little Phebe, he
answered, laughing heartily. You wouldn't
give me one OF your brown curls today If my
heart should break for it, would yoaf
mo, have none to spare"
Not onef Whyf'
Cause
Cause WHAT
Because she has Lizard strange reports Ci
you Frank" broke ia my mother, inischiey-
ously. She hasn't any idea Of letting you
rob her of her curls while she doubts your
sincere allegiance 10 her She IS a lady Of
spirit, you sec"
ION my faith she is, he exclaimed, gayly,
his blue eyes upon my face. And trow I'm
in love with her for IT. Never mind reports,
my little lady"
answered only by q curl of my lips, while
no reached out his hand 70 draw ne TO Il seat
upon his knee.
No, won't sit there" cried, pushing
away his hand, while tears, whiCA had teen
crowding their way into my eyes. gave a
sudden dash down my burning cheeks IN
never sit there again, nevern
my dear little Phebe'
There was real pathos ia his rich, manly
voice, quick, penetrating, surprised look Ia
his clecr, blue eyes, as he uttered these words,
followed by rapid, wondering expression
Of tenderness, as he repeated tEen
My dear little PheLe' May God bless
you"
stole quietly away from cut Of the house,
with that feivent benedictiOD living fresh and
deep upon my childish heart, aud threw my
self down in the shade OF the old orchard
trees and sobbed out the heaviness that
pressed upon my spirit. For hours | lay there
ia the mellow September sunshine, broOding
over the little romance that had 40 silently
and strangely grown into the wool oil nay al
most baby life. / wept before ny time for
the delicious griefs that forever cling 70 a
sweet and conscious wo1ianhcod.
When returned to the house Frank had
taken bis leave but in M little work basket
be left O small pearl box, which contained a
plain gold ring Did wear it, Are ycu
woman reader, and ask iti
"Phebe, Phebe mother says como down
stairs There is gentleman III the parlor
who wishes TO see YOU
The words broke Larshly into my pleasant
dreams which | had been weaving all tAe
long golden July afternoon, IN the dnorO6en
stiffness Of my chamber At my feet, upon
the carpet, with its leaves rduplod ana
crushed, lay my neglected Virgil Ia close
proximity to a huge Latin dictionary, while
upon my lap, in wrinkled condition, my
sewing was lying, with Il needle hanging by
long line Of thread nearly to the floor, as
if escaped luckily from a round Of monoto-
nous hemming, which as yet boosted bat two
OK three stitches at Its commencement.
who can it be that wishes to see me" 1
exclaimed, rising hastily and calling after
my little 6-year-old brother: Who is 1t,
Charlief'
Don't know; it's somebody. Mother says
come down"
'Who can it beg An hour since had
seen gentleman with heavily bearded face
come up the walk, but | was too busy with
my dreams to notice him very parti, ularly
Still, as recalled bis face and figure and his
quick springlng step, there seemed some
thing strangely familiar in them. Who
could it be- Ny heart boat rapidly. Surely
had seen that face and form before, and i
name that was singularly dear 10 lie treE-
bled upon NY lipS-"Frank Haynes
But ! could not 60 down 10 meet him,
though was summoned athousand time-
did not wish TO see him. why should IL
There was no occasion for il. 1 was not the
foolish little girl of ten summers whom hc
had left five years ago III short frocks and
curls, but q little grown woman instead No,
| was not the same. ! would not go down.
Besides sudden headache was nearly blind
ing mo Mother could not ask it OF me " hen
| was hardly able to sit up But what would