Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-09-29
AFTER THREE YEARS.
BY ALFRED L. KING.

whose father owned large STOCK farm
near Philadelph Il, aid Austin Gaudaur,
OF that city, beg; II in this wise:
He was leaning on the fence and in.
tently watc ing tho antics of two-year.
old colt. 1t was carly morning, but il
was not unusual fer her to race through
the fields willie the log still clung to the
grass and the clover lca:es were all or.
namentcd with liquid diamonds. Sc
she went out when Austin supposed al
women, except servants, were abcd. She
apprca he'd him softly and laid heI
hand on his back while she exclaimed:
tFenl, | cannot catch the gray tilly
she is perycrse this morning.
Slowly Austin turned aud beheld {
young lady with her dress tucked NJ
and wearing no HAT. Lifting his, he
exclaimed:
''If you had milk pail on your arm
should think you were the pretty maid
whose face was her fortune"
1t was bold speech, but Austin was {
daring fellow.
"And if it was not daylight should
take you to be Il horse thief aud hiss tho
dogs on YOU" she replied and haughtily
turned her back on him.
lie gave his attention to the colt. HI
was more interested in horschcsh than in
femininity. Most young men would
have endeavorcd to follow up the &C
quaintancc so romanticaily introduced
but Austin, beyond certain indifferent
momentary interest, was not attracted
by womankind. He liked women yet
was seldom in their society. Sports en-
crossed his attention. A fine tennis
player, he avoided games in which wo-
men took part. A good hand st whist,
he was not often found at table where
woman would be either his partner Oh
opponent. He was puzzle to the
ladies ofhis acquaintance. and they good
humoredly let him alone. Society knew
little of him, and he never discovered a
romance in any situation.
Marcia was otherwise. Happiest was
she when with the men. Her ilirtations
were numerous. The broken engage
ments to which she had been parti
were many. She made no secret of her
cagerncss to receive the attention of the
beaus. She rcioiccd in the men. Yet
really she cared no more for them than
Austin did for the women, but they were
essential to Irritation. and in that the
frivolous girl delighted. Quick at re-
partec and careless of the feelings OF
others, she had few friends and many
enemies.
Hamilton Elder, her father, laughed
at her coquctry, humored her caprice
and encouraged her. When asked tc
give his consent to her union with some
poor fellow whom she was deluding witt
a promise to be il s only. he invariably
remarked as he sent the young man
away happy:
'sSir, you are engaged to the wind"
This information, with the manner Of
skepticism, had led to the conclusion
that he was dotingly fond of his daugh
ter. He was and he knew the value Of
her promise, Some day her heart would
assert itself, womanhood would enter
into the obligation, while the ficklcne's
and gaycty of girihood yielded to the dig
nifty and earnestness OF woman. lie was
afraid it ght come soon, this change
and he dreaded it.
As she left Austin she snappishly
plucked off the head of daisy anc
wished he had not the appearance of 9
gentleman. If he was tramp he was III
impudcnt one; but although he wore 6
blue flannel shirt he did not look as if ht
had slept in haymow. Finally shG
concluded that he was some athlete who
resembled her brother temberton ano
who had been out on lark. That was
her most charitable conclusion.
When she returned from the fields she
discovered the stranger talking to hel
father They were on the front porcl
and she disdained to enter that way
However, she threw her father kiss. &c
which he responded with Il rolsine
smack of his lips on the palm of hi:
hand.
At breakfast she was surprised with az
introduction to Mr.. Austin Gandaur
She gravely inclined her head, resolved
not to be rude to her fathers guest, but
determined to resent the visitors i'm
pertincpce of the carly morning.
"Tired, daughter." asked the genial
host.
"vexcd. Icould not catch the filly."
''Better he careful of that colts heels,
young lady"
"lt's singular thing, pap" spoke ur
the irrcvercnt Pcmberton, THAT nobody
kicks at Marsh"
She shot her brother wrathfu
glance The next moment her face wa:
hot; she felt it and had NOT the courage
to meet the look with which Austin was
calmly surveying her.
Austin remained until evening. Slit
was not present when he took his leave
and he left his regards for her. When Mr.
Elder rendered them she merely said
"Thank you"
Two days later he came again. Whcr
he went away the colt went with him
For a moment before his departure h,
stood alone on the porch, while MIR
Elder and Fem caressed the colt Marci;
swept up to him with anger in her eye
and said in a low, fierce tone.
'NIy instincts were right when the,
nrraigned you as horse thief that morn
ing in the paddock. l wish l had hisset
the dogs on you then"
"why do you judge me SO harshlys'
he inquired.
"Your money has robbed me of M,
pet. Your gold bribed my father to sci
that horse
81 act for my employer solely" he re
piled, on the defensive. This position
surprised him, for he was usually tn
aggressor. :,
aOh, youare slavc"
VI Ii Ills contcmptuous remark sh
Iuncei ~ back upon him. Her tone
rung in his ears, they rcvcrbcrated IL
bis heart. Such contempt had neve
boon bestowed upon him. 4 brecx'
blow softly and tossed his hair.
'fTh!s ir delicious" he mprmurcd
IA may hRye meaut the wiBd, sweet ant