The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-04-05

way it sent those blossoms flying was a
caution. Bill, dazed and speechless
with terror at the accident, seemed I'M
able to make move, and before he could
recover his scattered senses his friends
had each grabbed flower and ran.
After the first fright was over he be-
gan to consider what was to be done to
extricate himself from this predica-
ment. There was only one thing he
could do, he thought, and that was to
put a bold face on the matter and say
nothing about it unless found out.
And Jack, in blissful ignorance of the
fate of his present and what its loss
would, in the days to come, mean to him
and his adored, waited with impatience
the coming of Faster.
Sunday came at last, however, with
warm southern breezes and cloudless
sky; one of those bright days when
young mans fancies" are supposed to
eighty turn to thoughts of love-"
That morning Jack made his toilet
with particular care and was ready for
church full half-hour before time for
services, thing of which he was seldom
guilty. He thought to take it leisurely
and reach the church none too early but
love is impatient, and as he approached
the church the bells were yet Ginning
forth their sweet glad Easter greeting
to saved world.
Jack was modest young man, fond
of seeing and not being seen, and so
settled himself in pew in the back
part of the church. The edifice was
most beautifully and artistically deco
rated and festooned with rare plants and
flowers. The pulpit platform was one
great bank of blooming foliage. 1t was
a sight both refreshing and lovely and
Jack could not help enjoying the scene,
though his thoughts were far away.
The organ pealed forth in response to
the animated touch of the enthusiastic
organist, the choir and congregation
rose to join their voices in one glad
burst of hosannahs of praise to God in
the highest whose Son had died and to-
day is risen, but still the one Jack most
wished to see came not. He had been
casting furtive glances in the direction
Of the door, and as the great concourse
of people was singing the last line of
the hymn he was rewarded by seeing
her enter. But-was it possible? Could
he believe his eyes?
Yes; they had revealed only too faith
fully the true condition of affairs. The
confusion of thoughts that came rushing
upon him made his brain whirl round
and round, and ere he could regain his
composure she had passed up the aisle to
her fathers pew, never deigning look
or smile in his direction, although he
was certain she had seen him.
The agony of that long and, to him,
almost endless hour! Will he ever for
get it? The air was sitting; he could
hardly catch his breath. And how he
hated himself and Lydia and every body
else.
But finally the last hymn was sung,
the last prayer said, and he was breath
ing the fresh air once more. As he be-
came more rational he began to suspect
that perhaps, through some possible
oversight, the florist had not filled his
order. No sooner had he reached this
conclusion than he started with haste
in that direction.
''Storrs? Storrs? Why, most as
suredly. sir. Box of flowers to young
lady in b. street, to be delivered Satur-
day p. m. Were they not received"
"Well-er-I couldn't say positively.
That isl mean she did not wear
them this morning." said poor, confused
Jack, blushing violently.
''Of course they were sent. remem-
Der now, the boy started early in the
afternoon with them and when he re-
turned he said he had delivered them
all right"
Not word could Jack say. To his
mind there was but one version to the
whole affair, and in his anger and indig-
nation at the terrible cut he accepted it
as the true one.
Tho weary weeks and months dragged
themselves out. and Jack was seldom