The Portland daily press., 1888-04-28

something, she knew not WHAT, lau brought
them there. Instantly his arm was around
her. He said some inarticulate words, then
kissed her gently on her forehead, where the
pretty locks were parted-for Abby didn't
wear bang
Don't cry" he whispered. I'm buy you
a dozen chany vases. I'd give you all the
world, Abby, if / could"
The tears weresEolling fast down her round
cheeks now.
with me, Abby? viii you be my wife?
Say, Abby, will your"
As he stopped to hear her answer the
white flower in his coat fell out. 1t smote
the girls heart, then dropped to the carpet.
She stopped and lifted it without word,
raised her shy, happy eyes to his, then kissed
the little blossom tenderly.
"Oh, don't. Abby, don't do that. Twas
Emma James you see. Somehow 1 don't
like you to-l-"
Emma Janesv' she said, slowly, with the
radiance dying from her eyes.
Eyes, think a heap of it for her sake, you
know; but"
And at that moment Mrs. Swift walked in
with civil greetings.
Good evenin'. Orrin. All well to your
house, hope?"
He went home slowly, with a puzzled ex-
preston on his manly face. 81 could swore
she almost took me-" was his thought.
What was it changed her so all in minute?
What could it have been?"
The summer glowed and deepened. 1t
ba1 s&e h1sc
The birds caroled madly in the elm trees
by August they had changed their song.
The crickets piped with ominous distinct
ness through the long hot afternoons. The
locust uttered its shrill cry from the stone
wall and hedge. A sense of sadness and Of
change lay on the hills and pastures. In
Orrins heart winter had come already. His
mother now had no reason to complain of his
leaving her alone.
He was more silent than ever; and she
wondered, but asked no questions She
tried to cheer him up in every way she
knew. She made as many different kinds OF
pies as possible-lemon, custard, berry and
apple. She even concocted an imitation
mince turnover knowing his fondness for
the real thing-but it was useless. He tasted
them all with an absent look in his blue eyes,
pushed away his plate and sighed.
sit does beat ALL" she thought. 1--WE done
my best Doughnuts won't rouse him up.
and blackberry paddin' haint no effect. I'll
try huckleberry short cake.
So she put on pink calico sunbonnet.
hung two quart pail over her arm. and
started for the.berry pasture.
80 Cxvif fal, 6rc+ cba
decided. 1.-THE best and sweetest always
grow there"
In the field the sun lay warm on sweet
fern and ON vines. A scent, born of ripen-
ing fruit, and wildwood green things bask-
ing in the warmth, filled all the air. The
apple trees stood by each other in little
'pool of shade" The summers spicy breeze
swept over weeds and grasses with languid
sigh OF pleasure.
Mrs. Pease bent over the loaded bushes, a
patient, homely figure. The hard, black
huckleberries ratified like hail into the tin
receptacle, and while her fingers moved she
thought:
"'Taint much use, after all. That Abby
Swift, she's at the bottom of it with her
triflin' ways. I'd like to give her a piece of
my mind"
With the thought shadow fell across the
grass and slim young figure stood beside
her in white sun bonnet and a black ging-
ham gown; girl Enthusiastically erect and
trim. The pink and white bonnets con-
fronted each other. Two kindly, dim eyes
peered out from the one, two sorrowful,
dark ones from the other. Mrs. Pease had
turned with anger in her heart when she
saw the girls pale cheeks and altered look
she softened.
"Why, Abby, for the lands sake, where
did you drop from?"
81 came down to pick berries for tea"
Flows your map" and the good woman
put on her spectacles for closer look at her
companion.
"Shes tolerable WE'LL" said Abby, list
lessly.
"Pa's well?" continued Mrs. Pease, re-
garding the girl sharply.
Pretty WE'LL" said Abby.
"And how are you? Seems to me you
hain't looking very peart."
"Pm all right" said Miss Swift promptly.
"Huckleberries is plenty this year." she
added.
"Orrin amt right well just now," said the
old lady after pause.
The girls hand trembed; half the berries
she held fell to the ground
whats the matter with him?" she said
in low voice. 81 amt seen him lately"
she said defiantly.
'No, know you amt" said Mrs. Pease,
with decision. "Whose is 't?"
q &,..fA
bush towards her.
"Tain't his, know for sartain," said the
mother rafting her tin pail, "He's the
most sot in his feelings of anybody / ever
see. There amt no change in him. The gal
that gets Orrin Pease II get dreadful good
husband. And the gal that trifles with him
II live to repent it, He amt one to be took
off and on like an old shoe, / can tell you.
Abby Swift, and the time may come when he
can't be got back noways."
"Who wants him back?" cried Abby, her
face in blaze. "Not /, for one," and she
burst into tears. Between her sobs she man
aged to say: "You hink-he-ain't-th
trifiin' kind. l know-better. He's been
a-keeping company with me-and all-the
time-he cares-for-another- He's
good as said-soW
'Land O. Goshen" exclaimed Mrs Pease,
nearly dropping her pail. 81 hain't never
heard of no such girl; what beyou thinkin'
of, Abby Swift? It's you, and nobody else,
he's been a folerin' after.these two years. E
eyer man was dead sot ON havin' gal, and
that gal you, it's Orrin. Why, he'll smile
just to see your pas old white horse comm
down the road; he's fairly tickled to death
to see that crltter amblin' along. There,
child, for the lands sake, don't get no such
foolish notion in your head. Only be good
to him; beg and pray of ye to be good to
him. He is dreadful tender-hearted and
faithful, Orrin is" and the old lady put her
worn, thin hand on the girls shoulder, and
looked ut her beseechingly.
With a cry, abby flung her arms around
her neck and kissed her.
'Good to him p she said. brokenly, 'Oh,
Lord, good to hint" and she then turned
and fed over the frightened grass, as fast as
she could go.
AT six o'clock the huckleberry short cake
lay smoking, and literally sprinkled with
sugar, on Mrs. Pease's tea-table. Orrin