The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-03-03

i MICS I'd Wult uIDu w ot'ibh hih'' es'es
parties that the children in the neighborhood
delighted in. II could not go and come
alone | would remain at home, whatever
| might he the inducement offered to tempt me
| from my unswerving course. was little
Mrs. Haynes, and little Mrs. Haynes was
| bent on remaining
But while was in the very midst OF my
heroic devotion terrible ruinor reached my
ears, n rumor that Frank Haynes, my self
appointed lord and master, was engaged TO n
young and beautiful lady in the city II was
dreadful blow 10 my precious hopes and
plans, though for n long time battled against
crediting the report. Hadn't Frank told me
that he would never look about for wi!ef
that was the only little lady who should
bear his name, Didn't he write me regu-
larly every fortnight, commencing his letters,
"Dear little Mrs. Haynes" and telling me to
be faithful to him, And-and-would he do
this if no was engaged No. not bit OF It'll
Some one had maliciousy lied about him,
had manufactured the story from their own
wicked imagination. would not believe IT,
though the whole world stood up before me
and testified 10 the truth.
As 10 reward me for my faith and set
my prejudicod little mind to right, the next
coach set Frank down at our door He
thought he must come and see his little wife
once more, he said, as / went timidly forward
TO meet him, though he thought 1t very
bad taste in me 10 grow at such rapid rate.
He was afraid I'd grow out Of my engage
ment he should have to put loaf OF hot
bread on my head TO keep me within bounds.
We had been engaged two years. was IL
years old, and head taller than was at 10.
He was going 10 Europe to stay three or four
years What would | be when he returnedi
He did not dare 10 think. lie believed would
be as tall rs he by that time. Wouldn't II
81 hoped So" answered, tartly, thinking
the while of the story Of the engagement.
"Whew You are taking on the airs of "A
fine young lady already, my little Phebe," no
answered, laughing heartily. "You wouldn't
give me one of your brown curls today If my
heart should break for it, would your
"No, have none to spare"
"Not onei Why"
mCausen----
"'Cause what"
because she has heard strange reports OF
you Frank" broke in my mother, mischiey-
ously. "She hasn't any idea OF letting you
IOD itl VI Hti ~ "HiiN SH' ''hbbo 1'"'
sincere allegiance TO herr She is IA lady Of
spirit, you see"
"Ou my faith she is,n he exclaimed, gayly,
his blue eyes upon my face. "And trow I'm
in love with her for it, Never mind reports,
my little lady,
answered only 10y curl Of my lips while
he reached out his hand TO draw me to seat
upon his knee
mo, won't sit there!n ] cried, pushing
away his hand, while tears, which had been
crowdIng their way into my eyes gave a
sudden dash down my burning cheeks. I'm
never sit there again, neverp
"My dear little Phebel"
There was n real pathos in his rich, manly
voice, n quick, penetrating, surprised look in
his clear, blue eyes rs he uttered these words,
followed by rapid, wondering expression
of tenderness, as he repeated them.
"My dear little Phcbel May God bless
your
/ stole quietly away from out of the house,
with that fervent bcnediction lying fresh and
deep upon my childish heart, and threw my
self down in the shade Of the old orchard
trees and sobbed out the heaviness that
pressed upon my spirit For hours lay there
In the mellow September sunshine, brooding
over the little romance that had so silently
and strangely grown into tho wool of my al
most baby life. wept before my time for
the delicious griefs that forever cling to n
sweet and conscious womanhood.
When returned to the house Frank had
taken his leave, but in my little work basket
he left a small pearl box, which contained a
plain gold ring Did wear it, Are you a
woman, reader, and ask III
"Phebc, Phebel mother says come down
stairs There is a gentleman in the parlor
who wishes 10 see you"
The words broke harshly into my pleasant
dreams which | had been weaving all the
long golden July afternoon, in the unbroken
stiffness of my chamber. At my feet upon
the carpet, with its leaves rumpled and
crushed, lay my neglected Virgil in close
proximity to huge Latin dictionary, while
upon my lap, in wrinkled condition, my
sowing was lying, with n needle hanging by
long line of thread, nearly to the floor, as
if escaped luckily from n round of monoto-
nous hemming, which as yet boosted but two
or three stitches AT its commencement
w Io tiIl ~ Nv 'iiuo "inhNN' W. o'' h'S'
exclaimed, rising hastily and calling after
my little 6-year-old brother: "Who is it,
Charlier
Don't know; it's somebody. Mother says
come down"
"Who can il be-" An hour since ! had
seen gentleman with a heavily bearded face
come up tho walk, but was too busy with
my dreams to notice him very particularly.
STILL us recalled his face and figure and his
quick, springing step, there seemed some
thing strangely familiar in them Who
could 1t bei My heart heat rapidly. Surely
had seen that face and form before, and Il
name that was singularly dear to me trem-
bled upon my lips-"Frank Haynes"
But | could not go down to meet him,
though was summoned a thousand times i
did not wish to SEQ him; why should III
There was no occasion for 1t. was not the
foolish little girl of ten summers whom he
had left five years ago in short frocks and
curls, but little grown woman instead. No.
was not the same l would not go down.
Besides, "A sudden headache was nearly blind
ing me- Mother could not ask it of mo when
was hardly able to sit up. But what would
he Think Would he caref Would no still
remember tenderly tho little Mrs, Haynes OF
five years agoi
| ;ttlnI I tba word no I utnpl no