The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-09-04

uetLy ylcIue0-tu0 more, ~ WOulO
seem. because sho had not the strength
TO resist love-pleadings than from any
desire for the outing" recommended
BY Hester. Taking shawl and cushion
with her, she passed down tho garden
alley TO the gate. There was . broad
track through the orchard, worn by the
wheeled chair and Hester's attendants
1t led straight to the king apple tree
From this bourne, another track, not sc
distinctly marked, diverged to the white
picket fence shutting In the Gilchrist
garden. Hetty's feet had never trodden
this. she reflected with pang, after she
had settled herself against the brown
trunk. II was most probable that she
never would.
Her one little dream was dead, and she
was too practical bnsiness-woman to
resuscitate 1t. Her consistent plan Of
avoiding March Gilchrist, and abjuring
the painful sweet OF association with his
sister was adopted before she returned
to the house from her Intellectual quest
for Homer and the parsley. She was
filled with wonder, in looking back to
the time twas It three minutes, or
thirty?) she had wasted, leaning on the
gate, enveloped In lilac perfume as in
viewless mantle, and daring to feel as
other and unexceptional girls fecl-that
she could have forgotten herself so ut
terly. She said-'.so shamelessly."
1.-THE worm on the earth may look up
to the star" II 1t fancies that method Of
spending an ignoble life, but star-gaz-
ing and presumptuous longing for mill
lion centuries would bring planets and
worms no nearer together. Hetty was
very humble in imagining the figure.
Some people must live on the shady
side OF the street, VIII rents are low,
and green mold gathers upon stones,
and snails crawl In areas. II the
wretches who pune and pale in the
misunderstanding damps would not 20
mad, they must not look too often
across the way where flowers and
people bloom. II they do. they must
support the consequences.
This misguided girl had looked. She
was now suffering. That she merited
what she had to bear did not make the
pain less.
Unwittingly she had spread her shawl
where March had laid his rug last night.
Tho rough bark Of the tree-bole hurt
her presently. Her gown was thin, and
her flesh less firm than it had been six
weeks ago. She slid down upon the
shawl. her head on the cushion. and
reached out, in idle misery. to pick up
some withered leaves and small, unripe
apples scattered on the grass. March
had dropped them while hearkening to
his sisters criticism OF tho bohemian
household. She was as idly-and as
MISUNDERSTANDING apart the leaves
toughened by the heat of the day, when
she heard joyous rush behind her and
fclt the painting Of hot breath upon her
neck, and Thor was kissing her face
and licking her hands. She sprang to
her feet and cast wild glance along
the path and under the trees. There
was no one in sight. The grounds were
peremptorily posted, and no vagrant
foot ever crossed them. She took in
the situation at once. March had gone
to New York in the Ave o'clock train;
the dog, wandering aimlessly about and
missing his master, had espied her, and
accepted her as a substitute. She knelt
down and clasped her arms about his
head; laid her cheek to his burly muzzle.
20! Thor. Thor! you would help me
il you could" just as she had fondled
him in those PARKWAY, blissful days.
Her hand was tangled in his coat when,
looking across his huge bulk, she had
met March Gilchrist's eyes. True eyes
and bonny and true! which must never
read her soul again.
Thor! dear Thor She cried it out
in passion of tears.
The faithful fellow moaned little in
sympathy. The more eloquent than
human longing to comfort the sorrow
ing, never seen except in dogs eyes,
filled and rounded his.
IL wouldn't cry IL could help it,
dear" said Hetty. her arch smile strik-
ing through the rain. And nobody else
should sec me shed tear. You are my
only contidante; and do believe you
understands little"
lie was not an Indifferent consider, it
appeared. for in fifteen minutes both Of
them were asleep, their heads upon the
same cushion.
The sunset sea breeze rustled the
STOPPING boughs. Arrows OF greenish-
gold. tipped with fire, were shot at ran
dom between the leaves at the sleeping
pair. Hetty was very pale, but the
grieving droop OF the facial lines. the