The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-11-16

he was joined by his jovial host and escort
ed to the breakfast room. Immediately
upon entering he was introduced to "My
niece, Miss Maud Ray"
For moment he stood perplexed. 'The
name-the eyes-can it be, l wonder"
While he was struggling with doubt MIR.
Ray, who had dropped down the day before
to "visit the folks" came in. Hugh recog
nized him at once and then followed a lively
talk on ye olden times. Maud's surprise
was no less than Hugh's when she learned
that Mr. Burton, their summer boarder,
was the once hated schoolmaster While
he was deeply engaged in conversation with
her father she ventured to steal a look al
his handsome face. Their eyes met. As
wildly as though it were but yesterday
although it was an event of many years
ago, came to the memory of each scene
which took place in the cross roads school
house when she was little lass of but
twelve years and he an unsophisticated lao
of twenty. Hugh's eyes danced with mer
riment, while Maud, blushing, laughed pref
tily. Hugh afterwards learned from 'Aunt
Jane" that Mr.. Ray had married again
soon after Maud's departure from home
and the child had remained with her at
tending school in L. until she was pre-
pared to enter ladies' seminary, from
which she had just been gradV ted with
honors.
A delightful summer had passed swiftly
by. Hugh and Maud had become firm
friends, aye, and more. The flowers had
bloomed and died, the golden harvest had
been garnered, but the flower of love had
bloomed in the hearts of these two, and the
harvest was forthcoming. One beautiful,
day in October, when the sunbeams fell
athwart the autumn landscape, Hugh
sought Maud in the summer-house on the
SUBSTANTIAL grounds of Mr.. Warrin. How
lovely she was, her slight, graceful figure
attired in light-iitting gown ofsoft, brown
wool, cluster of scarlet geraniums at her
slender throat. Flecks of sunshine rested
on the bright, brown hair and the rosy lips
were slightly parted, disclosing their pearly
neighbors. MAUD" said he, taking her
soft, white hands in his-there was mo-
mentary CLEAN Of amusement in his hand.
some, dark eyes, though his voice trembled
with suppressed earnestness-"Maud, ten
years ago in little brown school-house
which nestled cozily among the hills you
said, and you really meant it, you would
scratch out mine eyes if dared to touch
YOU. Would you do it now, darling?"
A beautiful blush overspread Maud's
sweet face and she averted her eyes from
his eager gaze.
Look at ME, dearest" he continued
placing strong white hand beneath her
dimpled chin and lifting her face to his
"Yoa also declared you would not answer
my questions. Would you answer one nowi
Maud, darling, will you be my wife," I'm.
able longer to restrain his love he clasped
her to his wildly-beating heart, while his
swift kisses fell upon the lovely upturned
face.
One look from Maud's sweet, gray eyes,
low, whispered eyes," and his heart
filled with joy unutterable.
The following week Dick Deering re-
ceived letter from Hugh announcing his
engagement.
"You know" wrotehe, determining to keep
up a bold front, 81 have always held TO the
view, that a man hopeless of wife would
be of all men the most miserable"
"Humph!' muttered Dick. "Consisten.
cy, thou art jewel. congratulate you,
old fellow, for the very commendable man.
ncr in which you have chased your pet fan.
cies, but if this is not clear case of un-
paralleled cheek I've something to learn"
Mary GCERNsEY