The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-07-20

"The eyes should not touch," he murmured softly; "it is a Grecian face, and more beautiful than Bessie's"
 Then he rose and left the room. Five minutes later he was astride his horse and the road to Judge Ramseys house. It little way in the country, about two miles from Willow Greek. "What will sheI say1" unused Ralph, he walked his horse up the avenue of elm trees which led to the house "Shc will be sure to know that asked Bessie frst-she may be angry"
 He drew in his horse irresolutely, when Judge Ramsey appeared at the door and down the steps to meet him.
 Ralph took the judges outstretchcd hand, and after responding to his cordial greeting. asked somewhat awkwardly If his niece was at home.
 "Yes, she is in the garden; step in. my boy, and I'll call her," replied the judge and then he walked ing over a rose bush.
 "Althea," he called
 "What is it, uncle?" A deep, musical voice made answer as the girl stood up She came toward him and gaiy held out rich, red rose.
 "keep 1t for yourself" he said 'there's young man in the parlor to sec you"
 "A young man, who?"
 Ralph Houston"
 Her cheeks were in an instant the color of the rose she held. "What does he want, uncle2" she said, looking into the heart of the flower.
 "How should know" asked the judge. "I didn't ask him. Go In and likely he'll tell you"
 "Poor girl" he soliloquized, looking after her vanishing figure "I think sometimes she ia not very happy here it must be lonely for her. am glad that handsome boy has come to sec her-pity there not more like him about here. l didn't know she knew him, but it is very evident she'd seen him before.
 When Althea entered the parlor where Ralph sat there was unwOnted color in her cheeks to be- tray the futtering of her heart. She had quickly changed her garden dress for & white cashmere gown which clung about her in soft folds, and the rose was fastened at her throat She smilingly greeted her caller, and Ralph rose, extended her hand to him alter the southern fashion. She was beautiful-more beautiful than Ralph had thought; he thought he had been rash in coming and bungled his first speech.
 "Miss Ramsey hope you will excuse the liberty take in coming to you. l met you al Mrs. Anderson's once, but 1t was after dark-in her garden, you remember, and"
 "I remember" said Althea, as he paused.
 "And-well, did not know that you would, or that was warranted in calling on you and-askng something of you"
 "Ask something-of me?"
 "Yes, something very important to me, as it is to determine my future-and it seems so pre- sumptuous that hardly know how to ask you" A strange work was wrought by nature when she gave this boy face sensitive and poetic that every passing emotion was reflected there vvidly that its intensity was exaggerated. He fixed his earnest gray eyes upon Althea, thinking only of the picture which was to make his future, toward which she could help him, his cheeks flushed with the embarrassment of making his request he seemed to look at her with his whole soul in his eyes Altnea as own eyes uroppeu OeIOre the strange ln- tensity of his gaze. Then she turned away from the unknown subject and suddenly asked "IIave you lived always in Willow Creek?"
 "Yes, always, except the two years 1 was away at school, and you-do you like it here we'll as in the south?"
 "Yes-no. I shall like it better when have been here longer and know the people better"
 "Te me something about your home in the south. It in Louisana, it not? Is it very different from here?"
 Then Althea told him about the nlantation i'm Louisiana the flowers, the magnolias and the orange trees. Her eyes filled with tender light as she described in detail her southern home, the old nanny who had been slave in her grand fathers family before her father was born, her | father himself, who had been through the war and