Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-09-15

his BREATH then turned and walked away.
Scleni had seen the color come to his
face, and hurt look in his eyes. AS She
looked after him he gave the bouquet a
tess, and il fell in the muddy street, only
to be crushed the next instant by the
wheels OF Il pass ng wagon.
"IIaint there enough money YETI"
asked her father, touching her arm.
"Yes, dad she answered. well go
and get some supper, and then we'll find
q place to Sleep
The little parlor of Mrs. NTurphy's
lodging house was crowded with dodgers
that evening. eleni left her father
seated contcntedly in corner and stole
quietly out at the front door. She was
so accustomed to being out OF doors that
she felt suliocatcd in close room.
Some one sat on the lower step with
his head resting on his hands. He
looked up and saw Seleni as she stood
hesitatingly in the doorway;
"Don't be afraid, he said. kindly.
1t was the young man who had bought
the flowers.
scleni sank down on the steps and
drew her old blanket more closely around
her.
otis cold out here said the young
man. "NIcbbe you'd better go in.
Il haint cold; I'm most always out
doors, " said Seleni
"Where do you say you found the
pos 'es." he asked
y young lady throwed 'em out. She
had yeller hair, 1t was house with
white curtains at the winders l didn't
set no price on the flowers. You needn't
ha; paid me so much for 'cm. !"
81 don't complain of the price; they
cost me pile to begin with. ;"
"Did you give EN- to her."
eyes; more fool, too. :"
"They were faded some, :" remarked
Seleni, consolingly.
'.Ycs, he said bitterly. "Shc had
lem twelve hours"
His head dropped on his hands again.
81 wouldn't care" said Sclcni, softly.
The young man glanced at her. Seleni's
eyes were soft with sympathy; she
looked so fair in the moonlight.
GLOW old be you2" he asked.
";ei enteen.h
and you travel round with your
father2'
&C. es; dad likes to travel. He wont
let me do nothin'. lie says he reckons
he can support me- said elcni,proudly-
"Can you write!' looking eagerly into
her pretty face.
Considerable was to public school
once" answered Seeni
81 hain't got no cdication, and l want
to get letter writ"
CPL do it,
"Will you, now"
eyes" eagerly.
The young fellow sprang up. {
Come on into tile Kitchen, then; !
there's nobody there"
In few minutes he had brought.
Scleni sheet Of paper and pen and INK.
They were alone iu the little kitchen
that was scarcely more than ashed. The
girl seated herself at I'll: tab C.
"Bcgin 'Dariin' Lizzie, ~ sad the4
youu. man, leaning over her shoulder.
&c. es," said ,c,eli, and in very
crampcd hand she wrote the two words.
Tell her love her; tell her Pm goin'
over 10 led Noun ain tomorrow. but
she can write to me- Jim Couroo' IL read,
me her letter. Got it all down2'
'tI'rctty near. You told me such an
awful lot, )" said Scleni
She handled The pen awkwardiY.
a bright color had come TO the young
mans checks His hair was light, almost,
go!den-iust the color Of the young
lady's, Seleni thought. She glanced
do n at the letter Would "DarlinS
Lizzie" say yes OF no?
"Got done?" said her friend. CPL
take it over 10 the pc :to.licc."
He sealed the envelope carefully and
put it tenjerly in his pocket Then he
held out his bronzcd hand.
:. God by. Pm much obliged to you.
If I don't never see you again wish you
good luck"
AS he passed sclenls clair silver
dollar dropped into her lap.
The next April Sclcni and her father
found themselves once more crossing
Red Mountain on their way to Silver
City. Secni hid grown a little taller,
but she looked much the same. Her
dress was still shlbbv, and forlorn felt
hat rcplat cd the old black straw. But
her lip, aud checks were crimson with
exercise and health As they came into
view of the town they passed group OF
miners who were out prospecting One
of them shaded his eyes with his hands
and looked steadily at Sclcni.
'sGive us tune!' lie called out to the
organ grinder, aud the old man obedi-
emily set down. his organ and began to
turn the crank.
Then the young miner came slowly to-
ward Seleni and held out his hand. The
girl knew him at glance, and her black
eyes grew bright with pleasure.
az didn't get no answer, he whls-
pcred
seleni looked sorry; then curious
gladness came 20 her eyes.
'sHain't You seen herr" she asked.
"No," answered the young man; "she
doesn't live here no more. F."
"I'm very sorry," said the girl; 81
writ it plain.
''Twasnt you fault"
Then he lookcl ut her admiringly.
"S'pose come to &c YOU TO nighta"
The old organ grinder took up his
burden again, and as they moved away
Seleni SIN led over her shoulder at the
Young man with fair hair who looked
after her as he leaned lightly on his
pick.