The Press., 1889-08-01

making his request; he seemed to look at her with his wholesou in his eyes. AL lthea's own eyes dropped before the strange intensity of his gaze. Then she turned away from the unknown subject and sud denly asked: "Have you lived always in Willow Creek?''
 k, Yes, always, except the two years was away at school, and you-do you like it here as well as in the south P Itf Yes, no. shall like it better when I l have been here longer and know the peo- Eple better
 ''Tell me something about your home in the south. It was in. Louisiana, was if not? Is it very different from here ?" Then Althea told him about the planta- tion in Louisiana, the howers, the mag nolias and the orange trees. Her eyes fill ed with tender light as she described in detail her southern; home, the old nanny who had been slave in her grandfather's family before her father was born, her father himself, who had been through the war and had died of the fever last year. Then the. plantation was sold, and Althea in the spring was sent north to her uncle's. .It seemed so cold when first came, she said. s'I shivered all the time, but I love the summer and am happier now" i. Ralph listened eagerly to all she said. The far-away look in her eyes when she spoke of her home lent beauty to her face. When she had finished she said: 'Now won't you tell me about yoursef-you are an artist, know?"
 "No-I don't call myself an artist yet. have painted, though"
 'I,saw your picture at the drug store" :"
 sYou did ?" asked Ralph, longing to know if she liked it. | A1xboo kho 1ov bo2 otnrrol for few moments to see what was attract ing the public eye in McGregor's window. She noticed the name of the artist and se- lcretly admired the picture very much. As she turned to goshe heard a chance remark, and the rest of the day, without knowing why, she had felt vague sorrow.
 s'I hear 1t said you may go across the sea to study; is it true ?" she asked. |. Ralph felt that his request could no longer be delayed sI do not know" he said, looking at her with smiling eyes ''it Idepends; upon you"
 Il :, Althes's heart gave one great bound and
 then seemed to stand still.
 "Yes, if you will consent to do some
 thing-to be something for me, to be my itHebe,' Do not mind because l asked somebody else first. I have known Bessie Eollard always, and she seemed at first all
 that wanted, but since have thought ot |you-especially since have sat talking to you here, I know you are more truly like Imy ideal goddess, Ah," he cried, "now
 you are just as saw you today
 :. Althea was looking at him with the Istartled eyes of aadeer, her face was pale
 and her lips slightly parted. "Your eyes your mouth, your neck-why did think you should have fair hair ?" he murmured as he lifted his eyes to her brow. ''Youl hair is the most beautiful ever saw. would not have it changed if may , come -" he stopped for Althea had drop ped her face in her hands to cover he1
 scarlet blushes and to stay the impetuouf flow of has words. ''Now have made you angry. Idid not mean to say so mucf \ at first it seemed 50 difficult to tell you, but now we know each other quite well
 and spoke just as felt. If I have of tended you" he paused.
 seYou have not offended me-" said Al thea, in low voice from behind her bar rier.
 'sThen let me see your face and tell mt tyour answer, said Ralph, mischievously T Aithea uncovered her glowing cheeks i"WiH you come this evening?" she said ''Yes. repliedE Ralph, ," puzzled at ths lrequest.
 ir Fl will give it to you then" And turn ling, she quickly left the room. \ i'She is an odd girl, thought the boy las he rode homeward, different from any .i kiSl I ever knew" Why did she run ou 1 Of the room, wonder? l suppose it wal the way went on about her eyes and hel hair. That's not the way to talk to
 yonng lady you've just met, but she. wa, lsnch a study as she looked just then. wonder if I can get her to give me that ex lpression again. This evening I'm to ge tback can't do anything then, of course
 but hope she will be willing to begin to morrow"
 H. When Althea ran to her room the frs
 thing she did was to fling herself down o1 1.-the half. covered sofa by the window, where she lay quite still. By and by, when the breeze had cooled her cheeks and the surg ling sound in her ears had died away, sht asked herself:
 L ssWhat was it he called me? What did
 he ask me to be 2. his 'Hebe,' his goddess ?
 She repeated the words softly several
 times, then rose and went to the glass;
 "He praised my eyes, my lips, my throat a
 She let down the long brown tresses
 which fell over her bosom. "He said it was the most beautiful hail he ever saw"
 Then she bent forward until her lips al
 most touched the image in the glass an6 gazed into her own shining eyes, Il f'Can you evertbe unhappy again ?" she whispered.
 The sun was sinking behind Willow
 Greek in blaze of red, barred by strata O lgold and violet, ending above in little bands 7 of pearl and palest green, as Ralph mount , ed the rlse just before Judge Ramsey'G place. He turned in the saddle and look ei until the ball of fire dipped below the horizon, and the green pearl changed te indigo. t'It is even more beautiful than that ii
 Italy," he murmured. He walked his
 horse along before the stone wall whicl
 bounded the judges grounds, when, hear ling aslight sound, he glanced up and saw Althea looking ak him over the wall. t'There are some people in the house, she said, sand I came out here to see you.
 s'That is better," replied Ralph. "l will r1de up to the gate. Will you come ?
 ssNo," she said, "tie your horse in thit hanging branch and come right over tht
 wall.
 She laughed as Ralph sprang to the tur lat her feet. Then she led the way to ], rustic seat beneath the spreading branches of group of elrns They sat in silenc' lfor few moments, she looking at hin F. -Sin N