Nevada County picayune., 1888-06-27

' ''"'' HA'IIct out lHtO tlle HIOOH- light to 20 home. They picked their way along the sidewalk slowly, eau tiously and in silence. John did not speak for two reasons.
 He was oppressed with the thought that he had been particular stupid during the whole evening. and he was repeating the sentence: Ma ry, let us share our mutual woes. '' so that when they stood beneath the light in the parlor he could put his arm around her and say it without blundering. Mary was silent with expectation.
 How brief sentence would have made them supremely happy.
 Johns absent-mindedncss proved to distract his attention from the icv walk more than he should have al- lowed, and no less than half a doz- en times Mary,s feet slipped, b 1t each time she found herself borne up by her sturdy lover. Each slip was accompanied by a little shriek and when she was again safe her soft sweet laugh was music to him.
 A group of boys pulling a sled turned the corner ahead and dashed past them. Her foot sliped a little and she was down. But she wasn't alone. In falling she had managed to knock Johns feet from under him and he had fallen too. Each scramble to rise quickly and their heads came together with a sound bump.
 John was in the throes of mortif- cation at his awkwardness, when Mary said naiyely, as he helped her to her feet.
 We seem to be sharing our mu- tual woes.
 He was amazed. The very sen tence he had been saving for under the gaslight. Before he could take
  advantage of his present opportuni- ty, however Mary seemed to realize that she had been immodest. and she talked necessarily as they walked on. as if determined he should reap no advantage from her remarks.
 John made several effort to recall the opportunity. but was batiied ev- cry time. Then he determined to wait until they stood beneath the gaslight, but when he reached the parlor the light seemed more bright than ever before. and his courage de. parted. Once he made an effort bu, the first word that came from his lips was ''woes" and the conscious. ness that he was blundering caused him to blush before trying again But sweet What were you going to say:" completed his embarrass. ment and he answered "nothing' and in despair prepared to go.
 A moment later, as they stood a the parlor door exchanging the las words. and as Johns hand was or the knob, Mary turned her blue cye' to him and said with q laugh.
 "Iou'll be sure to get home with out falling, for you'll have no one t, drag you down"
 Johns face crimsoned. He wa about to protest that she hadn't dra! him down, when he thought of tn last opportunity after they had fal len. He had a feeling that the SCI tence he had been trying to say al the evening would be singularly in opportunc now, hut he was determ ined not to lose another chanc Despite that feeling, and in shee desperation, he gaspep:
 Mary, let Us woes our mutua shares always"
 Mary looked puzzled. For mo ment she did't seem to grasp th purpose of the misquoted sentence when il dawned upon her, flood O crimson passed over her face, he eyer Tell and she whispered softl, yes"
 And John. with a newly acquired courage, put his arm around her ano drew her to his breast Then John was at peace, and Mary was perfect ly happy. The question had been asked and answered and she had tif- tingly blushed, besides waiving the privilege of leap year. - N. |, Sun.