The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-10-03
IN THE OAK WALK.
BY EMMA a. oPpER.

gloves were as yellow US Hcr nalr, hcr
parasoI white and lacey.
"Your cousin is very handsome" said
Mary Lane to Mr.. Olncy.
In her heart there was u shocked dis
approval Of Miss Perry, but her cousin
was not the one 10 confdc 1t to.
"Oh, yes, Mag's pretty" MIR. Olney
rejoincd, turning lanGuidly to glance at
her Chc did everything hlily. "But
she's not my cousin, you know. Mag's
step-iather's cousin is my aunt"
"Ohl' said Mary.
She raised her old fashioned brown
parasol.
"Ailow met" said Mr.. olncy, and
took it.
Mary Lane smiled.
1t amused her that she, staid little
country schoolma'am should he the
recipient of the gallantries of silk
hated, cye-glassod young man from the
city.
But it did not so much amusc her that
Miss Perry should be the recipient OF
Phil Thompson's gallantrics.
Shc was indignant with everybody.
With the Waltons, who boarded her
self and Phil Thompson, Phil's parents
being away on visit. Why had they
taken any more boardcrsi Miss Perry
and her mother might have summercd
elsewhere very well.
With Phil himself In spite of the
innocence Of his wide blue eyes, Mary
had thought Phil rather level headed.
Now what was she to Think
But most of all with Miss Perry.
What right had she to do ito put
forth her finished charms for tho undoing
of q defcnselcss country youthi to triilc
with his honest heart like cat with Il
mOusei
Mary Lane was wrathful.
"No, Mags not closely related, you
see," Mr.. Olney was saying, in his not
unpleasant drawl. "But | consider it
my duty to look after her, rather. That's
why I'm here. | thought I'd run down
for day or two and see what Mag was
up to-"
It was evident what Mag was up to-.
She aud Phil were far behind now, under
her white rarasol.
Mr.. Omcy laughed lazily.
al rather think it's good thing |
came, you know" he remarked. ~ may
be in time to rescue Mr.. Thompson. You
see. Mag's a terror, Hiss Lane. She
doesn't mean it, but ON my word she
cant help it,
"Whsir said Mary, coldly.
"Flirting, YOU know" said Mr.. Omcy,
yawning. ~ don't know how it is, you
know, but she cawn't see IA fresh fellow
IA new one, mean, " he substituted po-
litely-"without trying to get his scalp.
On my word!"
No reply from the schoolma'am. She
was burningly silent.
He was making fun Of Phil, of course
that was plain. But that was not the
worst. II was 80 then; she was amusing
herself with Phil. Mr.. Olney had seen
it, Poor Phil and her poor self, not tc
be able 10 say one word, to place one
straw against the current
"As many good shots as Mags made
though" MIR. Olney added, rcfectively
''she hasn't suited herself yet. She
knocks down fellows fast enough. but sht
don't pick EN- up when she's got 'eu
down
"You see the turn just ahead?' sale
Mary-she did not propose to listen to g
rehearsal Of Miss Perrys triumphs
THAT brings us to the Walk, 1t is al
avenue of oaks, which gives it its name
Come up here, and you can see the river,
said Mary, mechanically.
"A charming view" said Mr.. Olney
adjusting his cyc-Class "Ah, Mag anC
Mr. Thompson are upon u.s."
They were, at last; Miss Perry with
pretty smile and gracefully dangling par
asol, Phil with somewhat dazed lool
on his handsome, honest face.
"lt's done" Mary thought, bitterly
'It is too late Oh, she should b
chokedm
"What viewl' Miss Perry was cry
ing, with clasped hands. "See the river
Marmaduhe Blue from the sky, an
still as glassw
"Beautifulw Mr.. Olney assented.
"And this long avenue-did you eve
see anything like it, Marmaduks"
Marmaduke never had.
II thank you so much, Miss Lane, fc
bringing u.s." Miss Perry cried, herse
beautiful in her gay enthusiasm.
"Not at all, said Mary.
Miss Perrys thanks were intolerablC
ehil-poor Phil--if she could save hin
But Miss Perry stood near him-w'
smiling at him.
"What are those flowers down there's
she demanded, brightly. "Violets a
ready2 | must have them"
, They were dozen perilous feet dow
the steep bank, which sloped to Il
: river.
But Miss Perry gazed brilliantly
Phil and Mr.. Olney.
: "We couldn't get them, Mag" sa
Mr.. Olney. "We'd break our necks.
"Shamel" cried Miss Perry, biithel
and cast down her parasol and glove
'Laggards, I'll do it myself Go hi
your heads"