The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-07-20

He eye In McCiregor's WlndoW. one nouceu the name of the artist and secretly admired the picture very much. As she turned to go she heard a chance remark, and the rest of the day, without knowing why, she had felt vague sorrow.
 "I hear 1t said you may go across the sea to study is 1t true7" she asked
 Ralph felt that his request could no longer be delayed. "I do not know" he said, looking at her with smiling eyes ait depends-it depends upon you"
 Altheas heart gave one great bound and then seemed to stand still.
 "Yes If you will consent to do something-to be something for me, to be my "Hebe." Do not mind because 1 asked somebody else first. have known Bessie Pollard always, and she seemed at frst all that wanted, but since have thought of you especially since have sat talking to you here, know you are more truly like my ideal goddess. Ah," he cried "now you arc just AS l saw you to- day"
 Althea was looking at him with the startled eyes of deer, her face pale and her lips slight ly parted. "Your eyes, your mouth, your neck why did think you should have fair hair1" he murmured, as he lifted his eyes to her brow. "Your hair Is the most beautiful ever saw. would not have 1t changed If l may come"-he stopped, for Althea had dropped her face in her hands to her scarlet blushes and to stay the impetuous flow of his words "Now I have made you angry. l did not mean to say much-at first 1t seemed difficult to tell you, but we know each other quite we'll, and spoke just felt. If have offended you"-he paused.
  voice from behind her barrier.
 "Then let me your face and tell me your an- swer," said Ralph, mischievousy.
 Althea uncovered her glowing cheeks. "Will you come this evenng2" she said
 "Yes," replied Ralph, puzzled at the request.
 "I will give it to you then" And turning she quickly left the room.
 "She is an odd girl" thought the boy as he road homewArd, different from any girl ever knew D Why did she run out Of the room I wonder? f fha a1No Ao- and her hair. That's not the way to talk to young lady you've just met but she was such a study as she looked just then l wonder If can get her to give me that expression again. This evening I'm to go back; l can't do anything then, of course, but hope she will be willing to begin to morrow"
 When Althea ran to her room the first thing she did to fling herself down on the half- GOV cred sofa by the window, where she lay quite still By and by, when the breeze had cooled her cheeks and the surgng sound in her ears had died away, she asked herself:
 What was it he called mel What did he ask me to be1 his 'Hebe,' his goddess2"
 She repeated the words softly several times, then rose and went to the glass.
 "lle praised my eyes, my lips my throat"
 She let down the long brown tresses, which fell over her bosom
 He said it was the most beautiful hair he ever saw"
 Then she bent forward until her lips almost touched the image in the glass and gazed into her own shining eyes.
 "Can you ever be unhappy again2" she whis- pered.
 The sun was sinking behind Willow Creek in & blaze of red, barred by strata of gold and violet ending above in little bands of pearl and palest green, as Ralph mounted the rise just before Judge Rlmsey's place. He turned in the saddle aud looked until the ball of fire dipped below the hori- zon. and the green pearl changed to indigo.
 "lt is even more beautiful than that in Italy" he murmured. He walked his horse along before the stone wall which bounded the judges grounds, when, hearing slight sound, he glanced up and saw Althea looking at him over the wall.
 "There are some people in the house." she said, "and came out here to see you"
 "That is better" replied Ralph. "I will ride up to the gate. Will you come7"
 "No," she said, "tie your horse in this hanging