Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-08-17

| lille, Out suddenly ne starts OH Will
fell purpose in his eyes, and In two
seconds the young man is standing be-
hind Cleo's chair, and Cleo's face is like
a rose. There are a great many wise
and knowing smiles exchanged when it
is discovered where that very distin-
| guished-looking gentleman's thoughts
had wandered.
That disting uished looking gentle
man pays not the slightest heed, how
ever. In fact, he is happily unconscious
! that there has been quite commotion
caused among his party when he is seen
leaning over charming young lady's
/ chair.
! He bends down and greets them both,
and then tells them in a low tone of voice
! that he had simply been obliged to come
! there with some friends, but that he
would not be forced to leave with them {;
so, if agreeable to the sisters, he would
be most happy to see them home. 1t is
totally unnecessary for me to chronicle
their reply, as there was but one answer
possible.
On their way thither Julian amuses
them immensely by relating how he be-
wIldered the lecturer
"You see, 1 had my mind fully fixed
on Charley Howard, but just at that
critical moment l discovered Miss Cleo's
face in the audience, and"-with boyish
frankness-''for the life of me I couldn't
get my thoughts back on Charley again.
Humiliating, isn't it, to have Sc little
mind that there isn't enough to make it
up?" he finishes, with a light laugh.
The time is six weeks later
To the two sisters the long, hot sum-
mer days seemed to have fairly rushed
away, so rapidly have they gone since
they made the acquaintance of their
''fairy prince" as they have playfully
christened Julian And well does he
deserve his name, for never did Queen
on her throne receive more devoted at
tention than did these two unfortunate
orphan sisters. There has been abso
lutely nothing left undone that he could
compass for their benefit, or amusement,
or pleasure. Baskets of choicest fruits
and most lovely flowers; tickets for
splendid concerts; invitations to delight
full yachting excursions, all found their
way to the young ladies' humble abode;
and, l may add, likewise, the donor of
these gifts also finds his way there with
surprising frequency. His visits are the
most delightful events in their hard
working, dull lives, so no wonder they
are hailed with such manifestations of
pleasure.
In fact, he is due in this cool, moonlit
room in very few moments now. Cleo
is to have drive in the park this glori-
Gus summer night; and contrary to all
the annals of female history, she is quite
ready, and is leaning yonder against the
wide opened window awaiting his ar
rival. AS she so stands, with the en-
chanting moonlight falling athwart her,
she resembles nothing so much as some
snowy statue, for she is clad all in white.
Her gown is of the thinnest, feeciest
material, and shows the rounded beauty
of her arms and shoulders to perfection.
The becoming hat she wears, and her
long silk mitts are white also. So charm
ing is the picture that the blood red
holIyhocks out in the moonlight bend
forward only to look at her. And her
eyes are fixed on them with a dreamy
smile in their velvety depths, and are so
The dimples in her cheeks have come
forth, and are playing hide and seek in
the light of those orbs. Suddenly she
moves away from the window.
"He is here, jamie, so I'll just run out
to him. GOodby for little while. I'll
not be gone more than an hour" she
said, gently, bending down and kissing
her sisters cheek; then she steps lightly
out, and is gone.
And JAMIE?
Well, jamie sits where Cleo leaves
her, and looks out at the blood red
hollyhocks, too, with a very happy and
mysterious smile on her face. She mods
her pretty fair head at the flowers also,
and whispers. eyes, it is all arranged
nicely, I'm sure.''
In less than an hours time Julian and
Cleo have returned. Janet is slightly
astonished to see them back so soon
Julian strides into her presence, leading
Cleo by the hand, and wearing a very
happy and triumphant look indeed.
"My Lady Jane, | wish to inform you
that have done this young person the
honor to propose for her hand and she
has condescended to accept me. love
her with all my heart, and"
Janet puts up one slim hand.
''It is not necessary for you to mention
the fact. 1 knew it month ago."
You don't say sou Julian exclaims,
with great force and brilliancy. Then,
having recovered little from his |
he begins again:
"Well, Miss Minerva, what you don't !
know is that we are to be married in |
two months time. 1 would not wait
another day"
And jamie gets up and embraces
them both, and kisses Julian warmly on !
both smooth dark cheeks Frank
J eSIjo