The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-08-28

hair cleaned whltely ike a soft star in
the dusk.
What caprice seized the girl?
She listened to his eager words with
averted face turned toward the dying
sunset light.
When he had finished she did not an.
swer.
HE takes too much for granted" she
thought; she is too masterful; he asks as
though my heart was some light thing
to which he had a right. I will teacl,
him it is not"
She rose and turned to go. He caught
her hands and detained her.
Wilma, are you not going to say g
word? Are you then the coquette I al
most thought you that first day"
Hiswords stung her. She tried to free
herself, and the rose fell from her hair.
He picked it up.
IF you won't say anything, Wilma,
give me this rose. Let it be a symbol OF
hope to me-"
She snatched it from his hand.
When / am ready to answer you,'
she said, ST viii send it to you," and
then she slipped away and hurried toward
the house. A spice of romano had al
ways been part of her nature. Now as
she fitted away she touched the sense
less flower with lips that trembled.
II do love him-I do love him." she
whispered as she sped along the shadowy
patb tbro11ah tha Garden
But the girls willful heart was slow
to yield. A week passed.
Ronald Mitchell came not once to the
farmhouse. Rebecca Mortified won
dered at his absence, and looked search
ingly at the quiet faced girl. One even
ing she came into the quaint old room,
with its sloping roof and lattice window,
where Wilma sat reading.
II thought I'd tell thee, Wilma, that
Ronald is going away tomorrow. He is
tired, he said when / met him today,
and needs a change. He does look worn.
l wonder why he keeps away from us.
She looked keenly through her gold
trimmed glasses at the girl.
81 don't know, grandmamma, Tn
sure. He does act strangely of late,
Will he stay away long, do You Think
ga month, he said," she answered.
The girl drew a quick breath. "a
month" she thought. SIN a month
shall be back in school"
Her heart beat quickly. After a while
she took a little box from her bureau
and went down stairs and out into tht
garden.
She called to Don and wandered dowr
to the messy log beside the creek. She
had been here every day since that time
a week ago.
She sat down on the log, and Don sal
down beside her, looking gravely at tn,
running stream.
She drew a little folded note from tn,
box in her hand and opened it.
"Come to me" it said, and then in deli
cate tracery her name, aWilma."
That was all.
The girls eyes shone half miscellaneous
ly as she fastened the tiny box to Dom
silver collar with a bit of ribbon, and
bright color glowed in her checks.
Then she folded her small hands to
gether and looked seriously into tn,
dogs great. noble eyes.
"Good old Don," she said, stake it t,
Ronald to Ronald-do you under
stand?'
He looked up intelligently into he
face and trotted off sedately.
Ronald Mitchell was in his roon
alone. One by one such articles as wer,
necessary were being packed into hi
travelling bag.
A sudden patter on the stairs ARRESTED
his attention, and the next moment
familiar black head was thrust through
the half opened doorway.
why, Don, old fellow! Come to sa,
good-by? What's this?:"
He unfastened the little box and open
ed it. When he had unfolded the slip O
paper and found the withered whit
rose he sprang to his feet. Then, t
Don's amazement, he bounded down tn
stairs and out into the summer twilight
the grave dog following at his heels.
He found her on the messy log besid
the creek, looking expectantly towart
him with the shy, sweet glow Of love il
her dark eyes and on her face.
Only Don was the witness of tina
meeting, but when a little later th
happy lovers wandered up the sweetl
scented garden, cool and shadowy in tn
cleaning, and grandmamma came t,
meet them with a glad surprise and
light of calm contentment in her seren
face, all thoughts of the projected visi
were banished, and the half packe'
travelling bag lay forgotten on the foo
at home