The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1889-05-31
''MY DEARIE.

Marian Leslie was singing IN
clear, low tones as she hurried
through the meadow, wholly un-
conscious OF the soft football that
followed her footsteps, The ears that
drank in her song and the pair OF
laughing, restless blue eyes that
were beaming in admiration OF her
dark beauty.
"Oh, dear!' cried Marian sud-
denly changing her tuno as she
came 10 stream on The edge of
the meadow, ''the stepping stones
are out of sight, and here Ill haYe
to walk down Il good half mile.
Well, | declare | never saw the
water so high" and she turned 10
walk down the Struggling path, but
before she had taken two Steps Il
strong arm encirled her waist. She
screamed with terror and struggled
desperately to release herself, but
before she could realize it she was
raised from the ground and con-
veyed over the streamlet.
snow, little one, what are you
making so much noise about
Didn't you want to get overs" said
a voice, as clear aud musical as
Marian's own, and Marian found
herself deposited on terra frma.
She raised her frightened black
eyes now, and met pair of laugh
ing blue ones.
'Poor child really didn't mean
to act so abruptly, but | was en-
chanted with your song, and, when
| saw you wanted to cross the
brook, | had youin my arms before
| knew it. / had, really, and 1
most humbly beg your pardon for
the same"
The blue eyes were laughing at
her vet, but the musical voice was
very penitent.
Poor Marian her pretty cherry
lips quivered; she didn't know
whether to laugh or cry.
Who was this impudent stran-
gerg Would she thank him for car
rying her over, or would she re-
main ofFendedg The strangers
next question, in a low, pleading
voice, settled Marian's doubts.
"rhen you won't forgive me, lit
tie one"
III didn't say wouldn't; only
please don't call me little One," aud
Marian looked up shyly.
"But you are little" said the
young stranger boldly.
"I'm IS To- morrow, sir" answer
ed Marian with more spirit.
"Tn.mOrrow your birthday y said
the stranger. "And tomorrow is
Murray's."
ayes, he is just six years older
than 10 said Marian, blushing, aud
walked on, and her face brighten
ed as she thought. "Fhisyoung man
is a visitor al the hall. I'll find out
if Gilderoy has arrived yet"
81 suppose you will celebrate
your birthday by going up TO The
hall and having good Time To-
morrow asked the young man.
mo, | don't wish to 20 to.lnor-
row; there will be so many there,
Won know, and anyway, | don't
suppose Gilderoy-I mean Mr..
Murray-will remember me-" said
Marian, with a sigh.
"Why won't he y said the young
man, looking as ii he was very
mnch interested.
because | was only three years
old when he went away. What a
long tine to be away from ones
home. Grandma SAYS he used 10
lease me awfully.' L suppose you
are staying at The halIln question
ed Marian.
Yes" replied the stranger.
"Well, then, you must know my
grandma. She has always lived al
The hall, and when ! was iray lit
lie thing l was there nearly all the
time. Has Guild=-I mean Mr..
Murray-arrived to-day 7"
ayes, he came up with me, Do
Won think YOU would know Glide
roy Murravw
sOh.p thought Marian, @tbis j.
one of the two young men that
grandma told me they expected