The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-06-16

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daughter and acknowledged belle.
At the last hotel she visited a
group of young men were gathered
on the piazza, just one side of the
broad steps she must ascend.
One of them Il dark, handsome
man, spoke to her as she passed.
"My good girl, can you supply us
with boutonnieres ?"
The tone was careless but his
glance made Bess flush still she
paused demurely.
"How many sir?" she asked in
low tones.
ooh, as many as there coat lapels
lacking the sweet adornment."
"She stood there long enough to
make up half dozen tiny bouquets
and then withdrew, but Leo Travers
looked after her with admiring gaze.
"A bouquet girl with the face of
an angel" he said enthusiastically
"Such eyes, such II rosebud mouth,
such dimpled hands. By Jovel l
must see this rustic beauty again. "
So it CHANGED, when Bess Bonville
left the broad road, and struck into
the grazzy path leading over the
cliffs, she saw Leo Travis and a
companion advancing toward her.
She had thrust back her hat, and
was swinging her basket, trolling a
guy love song. She ceased when
she saw them, but her sweet voice
had completed the charm to her
beauty.
"Ah we meet again !' said Travis,
with boldness he had not assumed
at the hotel. "You have sold all
your wares, and your heart is as
light as your basket. Are you going
home ?n
With an inclination of her head,
Bess attempted to pass but he
stood before her.
you'll not leave us like that ?"
he said, snilingly. Come, tell us
your name-a pretty one, l VOW, if
may judge by your face"
"Sir, your words are an insult l'
said Bess, with her brown eyes flash
ing.
"An insult | like that ~ he cried,
with II laugh. "Many ladies would
appreciate the compliment and you
u flower girl, take offense !"
"You would not speak like that to
the so-called ladies'" answered Bess,
scornfully. "And because l am a
Aower-girl does not debar me from
the right of that title in its true
sense"
She was prettier than ever in her
true dignity and scorn, with that
sparkle in her beautiful eyes, and a
rosy flush on her cheeks so pretty
that Leo Travis forgot prudence and
courtesy.
"By Jovel you are girl of spir-
it w he exclaimed. "But those red
lips shall pay for the sharp word !"
Travis ' said his friend, war
ningly.
But he had sprang forward and
clasped the slender form of the girl.
Bess cast a despairing glance at
him, encouraged by his tone; but
she saw she could expect nothing
from him. He was regarding the
scene with a look half-annoyed, half
amused.
"Now my little beauty, where is
your spirit? Subdued and you are
in my power" said Travis. "One
kiss and l release you"
Bess struggled, but he held her
firmly and bent his dark head his
eyes were burning into her own
with Il mocking light, and his mus
tached lips almost touched her
cheek. She threw back her head
with a cry and at that instant a
stalwart form bounded to her side,
and Travis was hurled violently
away.
"For shame, Travis ~ exclaimed
the newcomer. "You deserve q
threshing, and were you not my
mothers guest, should be tempted
to give it to you, And you too Dun
can, to permit this insult. Is there
no spirit of chivalry within you?
"You are eloquent in your defense
of a flower girl" sneered Travis. Il
meant but to pay her for her inso-
lenee."
"What would be thought of you
if l repeated an account of this
scene ?" said the other. "There are
no excuses to palliate your offense
/ think -"
"Excuse me. Lectures are not tC
my taste, Thaxton; we will with
draw" said Travis, and he and his
companions disappeared down tht
winding nath