The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-12-11
SELECTED.
M ABEl'S HUSBAND.

"Of course, shall never dare to SPEAK
another wold to herr" said Robert Dale.
But why not? Only tell me why not =
cried out little Florrie, climbing up tn,
beams of the barn loft, so that her head
should be just on level with that of heI
tall brother, and clasping him around the
neck with both arms.
Robert was tsll, handsome young ath
lete, al that MOMENT busy in mending one
OF the cogs of steam pillow with deft and
ready touch.
His dark brown hair hung in heavy
masses over his broad forehead his haze
eyes were full of latent fire, and there
was world of character and resolve in
his mouth and chin. One might easily
excuse Florrle Dale for being proud OF
such brother.
Don't you see, Florre?' said the young
giant, gently putting away the hands
that interfered with the delicate screw he
held. II never asked her to be my wife
while she wss the poor and dependent
school teacher here. How can have the
face , do 1t now that she has inherited a
! .o7
Florrie balanced herself on the beam,
her dimpled face looking out from its
frame work of hay; speckled hen came
cacklng from its nest in the fragrant
hay, and a half dozen captive swallows
flew back aud forth in the peak of the
barn overhead.
But you were just going to ask her,
Bob, you know you were!"
"Ah, but how is she to know it?'
why, by instinct. OF course" decided
Florrie
Dale shook his head, with rather sad
smile
M, my little GIRL" said he, II do not
choose to be mistaken for one of the
great army of fortune-hunters. I've lost
my opportunity, and there's an end of 1t.
It's my own fault
Florre burst into tears.
"Oh, Bob |" said she.
Robert Dale stroked down her sunny
head not without sparkle of moisture In
| his own eyes, but he smile q wan smile,
nevertheless.
1--WE often read that pride was SIM"
sobbed Florrie, "but never comprehend
ed it before. Oh Bob, l could almost
hate you, If didn't love you so dearly!'
And Florre scrambled down from her
perch on the beam. and ran away, with
both hands clasptd over her face.
Dale looked after her
"Poor little darling!" he said to him
self. at is but a scratch on the surface
of her tender young heart On mine it Is
a deep wound scared in with red-hot iron,
God help mel"
| IL was one of those romauces which
occur in real life oftener than one has any
idea of, Mabel Wynne was a pretty young
school teacher In Abbott's district, whose
life OF poverty had suddenly been turned
| hu. tan nf nj nd
nearly forgotten relative. To Mabel her
self it seemed like golden dream. How
often she had built ca ties In the air,
where of the foundation was 'If l were
rich." And now the dream had come
true the pinnacles of the air castles were
actually shining athwsrt the sky Of her
lice. heretofore such a cold and gray ex-
panse!
And now said Mabel to herself, II
can fulfill my hearts desires!'
| She took counsel with no one, unless
now and then an hour with the gray head
ed old lawyer might come under that
head: she simply did as she pleased.
| s.Hey'ye seen the new house that M abel
WINNIE is buildin'?" said one neishoor to
another. ..It's a regular Aladdin's castle !!
with the trees all cut away from the lake,
and new drives made through the woods,
and heather statters suit up here. and
here and the row O. glass houses to raise
Turin plants and ripen grapes and
pesches before their time.
~ don't approve Of no such notions"
s,,emnly answered the other. ITO my
mind it's clear settin' O. Providence
ut defiance. Grapes in March. And. or
snoe trees a fiowerin' In this ere climate.
Win the snow on the ground. Mark my
words. there won't no good come OF it,
It was bright September evening
when Mabel wynne stopped at the old
Dale farmhouse.
Elorrie rushed to meet her, and greeted
her with hugs and kisses innumeraole;
..De.r. dear May!" she said why
haven't you been TO see US oeforeF
..Why haven't you been to see meI re-
torted Mabel, with the piquant, off-hand
manner which was one of her greatest
charms. THAT is the question, should
think" ,.,.,
" abe turned to her BROTHER
Robert advanced to her rescue, Offering
Mas Wvune his hand, with an excellent
imitation Of composure.
"Because, Mabel, your time has been 80
much occupied" said he. 81 told Florrie
that things were changed-that you could
hardly be expected to have leisure to de-
vote to her silly prattle.
"How did YOU know that things were
changed ?" cried Mabel, with resentful
6ash 10 her violet-blue eyes.
INV own common sense told me ao."
was that the reason that you haven't
been to see mel"
"Oh i" said Mabel, with an ipdescrlba-
ble iutouation of voice. and fixing her
ewes upon his with sudden, questioning
aiance. which be was but too thankful 70
evade by looking another way! "That
Wa all that you cared for your old FRIEND
chr"
III I could be Of any real practical use
to my old friend" ,..
"You can," briefly interrupted Mis'
"Ten me how. and shall be at your
service"
Florrie put her arms around her frieno'i
nsck, Whispering softly:
"This 10 like old times. May"
sand shall want Florrie, too" ADDED
Nabel. go help exc out my own expert
enoa. A mans Judgement snd Womsoi
tasaei May count on roth Of your
ssOn ne, certainly" fa!d Robert Dale:
"You might know that would b.
Ieeady 70 help youi" cried Florrie. almos
Ijncllnsd - q aggrisved.
.sTSsn. vill SoeA OF yoa come up y
.Tho 0Ien' tomoefov ct 10 osclockf'
s.TAaYs ~ nans Of yoW nsw IAf!
n.y.