The Press., 1889-08-01

the stupid little place. he said. s'I shall never do anything here"
 A voice seemed to whisper in his ear l"Althea Ramsey P x do, he said aloud, as if in reply. "She has brown hair and dark eyes, besides, I hardly know her.. .g.s He sat staring for long time at the empty 6anvas until he saw grow on the smooth, inviting surface pair of great dark eyes, a straight nose and a grave, tender mouth. The dark, glowing cheeks paled to baby's fairness as he looked, and the brown locks took on g warmer hue until they were more blonde Than his own yellow hair. The eyes looking up intQ his had timid, appealing expression.
 "The eyes should not touch, he mur- mured, softly; it is Grecian face, and more beautiful than Bessie's."
 Then he rose and left the room. Five minutes later he was astride his horse and on the road to Judge Ramsey's house. It was little way in the country, about two miles from Willow Greek.
 F 'sWhat will she say ?" unused Ralph, as he walked his horse up the avenue of elm trees which led to the house. ''She will be sure to know that I asked Bessie first she may be angry" q -
 He drew in his horse .irresolutely, when Judge Ramsey appeared at the door and came down the steps to meet him.
 Ralph took the judges outstretched hand, and, after responding to his cordial greeting, asked somewhat awkwardly if his niece was at home.
 "Yes, she is in the garden 1; step in, my boy, and I will call her, replied the judge, and then he walked around tue house to where a tall figure was bending over g rose bush. +sWhat is it, uncle?" deep, musical She came toward him and gaily held out 6 rich, red rose
 s'Keep it for yourself, 9 he said ;; ssthere's young man in the parlor to see you." "A young man, who?"
 'sRalph Houston. ..-........ Her cheeks were in an instant the colol of the rose she held. .
 "What does he want, uncle ?" she said, looking into the heart of the flower. "How should know p asked the judge "1 didn't ask him. Go in and likely hell tell you. |" ', 1.s.as .. F. "Poor girl, ,' he soliloqnized, looking af ter her vanishing figure. ''I think some times she is not very happy here 1; it must l be lonely for her. l am glad that hand some boy has come to see her-pity there are not more like him about here. ] 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 no unwOnted color iI her cheeks to betray the fiuttering of hel heart. She had quickly changed her gar den dress for white cashmere gOwI which clung about her in sott folds, anG the rose was fastened at her throat. She smilingly greeted her caller, and as Ralpt rose, extended her hand to him after thu southern fashion. She was beautiful, mors beautiful than Ralph had thought , h. thought he had been rash in coming, anG bungled his first speech. ,s. Miss Ramsey, hope you will excuss the liberty take in coming to see you, met you at Mrs. Anderson's once, but i was after dark-in her garden, you remem ber, and" ,.. .e.,'
 '1 remember" said Althea, as he paus cd :. ''Ahd-well, I did not know thatyor would, or that was warranted in calling on you and-asking something of you" ssAsk something me 2" . Yes, something very important to me as it is to determine my future and i seems 70 presumptuous that hardly know how to ask you. 4 < s,a5
 A strange work was wrought by natnrt when she gave this boy .. face so sensitivs and poetic that every passing emotion wa reflected there so vividly that it's intensity was exaggerated. He fixed his. earnes1 gray eyes upon Althea, thinking only O the picture which was to make his future