Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-03-23

know that you know! She thinks I'll
feel better. coming with her as "A maid.
as if | were paying my way. don't you
see? RichP-Oh, yes. rich compared
with poor folks-about eighty nous
and, or so-if she don't give it all
away. Does Just what she pleases, al
ways. But such sense!-Her uncle
saws she has a better head han he has.
any dag, and thinks she ought to be
his guardian-'steal of it being the
other way about
OF course Aunt Jane promised never
to disclose the little ruse regarding the
''maid, but that very night she button
holed johnny as he was going of to
bed and told him the facts of the case.
And Johnny in his own mind was not
the least surprised. All sorts of angel
ic deeds might orig nate in such a girl.
All. you lovers OF misunderstanding
and disappO ntment and heart-break,
YOU shall find nothing to your liking in
this simple talei That two Young
people like these | have so brokenly
described, should come to love each
other, is as natural a thing as the des-
cent of water when its way leads down
an Inclined plane.
And vet neither was fully aware of
the sweet and and all possessing passion.
until arrived the morning of separa-
ton. 1t was when the little leather
trunk and the viol n were borne out of
the house that Johnny's heart grew
sick with both JOY and agonY-the JOY
of conscious love and the agony of re-
nunciation.
1t was when Miss Fleming went
down the front walk for perhaps t he
last time-for life Is uncertaln-that
wild pangs seize upon her soul, and
her eyes grew so misty under the 81 l.
or hat tipped un|naturally forward.
that the bright dahlias and gladeoli bo-
side the path turned into a mere blur
OF color.
Aunt Jane had kissed ner on both
cheeks aud told her with fearful fervor
that it was Just about like . Y NJ up the
sunshine, and possibly her tears were
contagious.
The St. Bernard fingered ON his front
porch rug and displayed no enthusiasm
for this part cular trip To the Junction.
'Well. James. is it possible YOU real
Is don't 'oaqt to 90 with me?' called
back Mis-, Fieming-haying got rid of
of her wet eyes. and smiling quite mer-
rily.
James rose with n melancholy mein
aud came slowly down the path saying
as plainly rs possible-"l don see the
necessity of n change. I'm far more
comfortable here than in town. How
ever | know my duty
Mr.. Lamberton." said Miss Flem-
inc rs JOHNNY handed her into the
wagon-and this time she chose the
front seat and the violin went over to
Miss Browns carc-"Tm going TO
think about James all the way to the
station, and If can make up my mind
To part with him, | will give him to
YOU. He J kcs the country so!-hOw he
has enjoyed wal NJ in the brook and
strolling about in the fields this sum-
mer.'
"Oh. you must never think of giving
him away. Hes a dog among a thous-
and. He knows this : no mere trip
To the postofice he knows he Is not
com nc back AGAIN. See his express
sion! All, James, shall miss you-oId
fellow
'If we should come again next sum-
mer. sad Miss Fleming shvly, "he will
remember YOU a if he had been away
but a day
Il wsh human beings remembered
as WELL said johnny with a cynicism
wholly new in him.
Some do. | am sure" SAID Mss
Fleming hopefully.
johnny ficked at the grasses at the
roadside with his whip. He had no
need TO drive rapidlv-there was plenty
Of time for reaching the station.
81 hope Won Will como again next
summer. ~ he said in a low voice.
Il hope so. too. said Miss Fleming
simply. Then she went on in what
seemed TO her the boldest and most
/ reckless manner-"I-I i0Ue this place,
II has Dcen the happiest summer OF my
! life. should like to We herc-alwavs.
| like Aunt Jane BY this Time her
cheeks were burning red and she turned
her face away.
Would it be n good place for "A
talented physician? Couid You live
here?' and JOHNNY dared 10 fa,ten his
eyes i%ntently on the roses that could not
be wholly hidden. unless Miss Fleming
! dislocated her neck.
81 could practice in n small way. |
cOulu 90 gOOd mere. a, wei a an WlcTe.
| should like to be a farmer-as well as
a Doctor think" and she laughed
slightly.
"Oh. gracious me,' exclaimed Miss
Brown, ''Iv dropped m handker-
chief-one of my best ones, too-and |
hal it Just a minute ago. I'll run back
and get it,
''No-no," demonstrated johnny. I'll
find it. preparing to jump. But the
lively NJ IS Brown was already on the
ground and walking back toward awhile
object that lay several rods distant.
Was Il Providence? Or was it SIM
ply NJ IS Brown? johnny did not pause
TO consider. This dear sweet girl loved
his native town and liked his Aunt Jane
and she wanted to he q farmer and he
loved her with all his soul and she was
going away!
Then take my farmland take me!
I've loved you every IN mute since first
saw you. Don't be angry! You are
going away and | cant help telling You.
Please give me one wordl-tell me you
don't really hd'e met
IL don't really hate you!" murmured