The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-16
ONE AMONG A HUNDRED.

down the lane. Jes' run in and put Oh
yore blue caliker. I'll talk long WI him
till yo' Gums out
The speaker. tall, dark-eyed, elder.
~ woman, addressed a gentle-faced
girl of about 20, who was gathering q
bouquet of roses by her side.
1t was winter, but in Florida roses
are especially fine in December, and
Amy Wilson had the rarest collection
in the country.
She turned slowly toward her mother,
adding bud here and there to her
basket, already piled, as she did SO.
mo, mother. This dress looks well
enough, and l cannot entertain him this
afternoon. I promised to carry this
basket of flowers to Lena Pratt, to help
decorate the church tomorrow, and she
will wait for me-"
Il do b'leeve yo' got no grain o.
on good-lookin' well-to-do young fell
low like Hugh Peterson! To jes' snub
him straight long! declar', yo' vex
mer' with frown on her unusually
placid brow, as she looked searchingly
into the fair face of the girl before her.
Amy laughed, and tapped her loving
ly upon the cheek with brown, but
slender fingers.
He is almost here, mother, and I
will go in and slip out the back way.
You can make excuses for me, for in
deed | cannot disappoint Lena"
And she was gone before her mother
ould add word.
The day was perfect, and, walking
through the sweet-smelling pines, Amy
sighed contentedly. The pleasant green
of the woods never framed sweeter or
fairer picture than she made, with her
basket of roses on her arm and her
deep-gray eyes turned dreamily upon
the familiar prospect around her.
Her parents belonged to the cracker
caste, but they were thrifty and indus
trious and had given their children the
best advantages their means afforded.
Amy, being the youngest and best
beloved. had Jared even better than her
brothers and sisters, and was regarded
in the neighborhood as quite a prodigy
in the way of learning and accomplish
ments.
At the foot of an immense pine tree
she paused, and pressing her hand
caressingly over some rude letters
carved upon the trunk, she whispered:
True till death! That was his
promise. / will never doubt you, Rob,
nor give my heart to another. What
does it matter that I have not heard
from you for two years? When you
have made home for me, however
humble, you will claim me, and 1 can
wait!"
All. Hugh Peterson, could you have
seen her tender eyes moment ago.
you would not rein in your horses so
so hastily dismount and take masterful
possession of her basket of roses!
She looked up into his really hand
some, manly face, and said, coldly:
''Why did you come? l told you
yesterday that should not be at home. ="
You always tell me that" smiling
down upon her with tender eyes. ''If
/ waited for an invitation from you, l
should never see you. But your mother
is my friend, and your father, too; and
with them on my side, shall not de-
spair. Are you made of stone that you
care so little for my love?" sudden pas
sion upon his face and breaking tre-
mulously through his voice.
Before she could answer, he added,
hastily;
mo, will not listen to what you
say, for know you mean to snub me
as usual. believe l can win YOU in
spite of your coldness, and l shall never
give you up until I see you married to
another"
She turned her eyes full upon him.
Your hope is vain. You will not
believe me?" earnestly, solemnly.
''You know why l cannot love you.
Why waste your heart and time upon
me?'
Because / know how girls change" :"
laughing lightly. land because know
l am more fitted to make your life COM
Portable and happy than Rob Stewart. :"
With his broad acres, prosperous
store, and beautiful home, it was no
wonder he was sure of success.
He loved her ardently and tenderly,
and she was the only girl who had ever
looked upon his handsome, laughing
face with GOODNESS.
OF course this piqued him, and as she
was the first woman he had ever cared
to win for his wife, he would not easily
give her up.
At his last words she threw up her
head proudly.
-s'If we are to be friends at all, YOU
must not speak in that tone of Rob-"
Every well. meant no disrespect,
for Rob is a fine fellow, if he is unfor-
tunate in business. His folks are blue
about him, for they haven't heard from
him for over year, and they are sure
he is in trouble"
Amy sighed softly, but answered, res
olutely:
''He will come back some day and
surprise them. You will all feel sorry
then that you talked about and doubted
him."
Hugh Peterson. being an adroit as
well as an earnest lover, left no means
untried by which his lady's favor might
be gained.
He organized picnic, to be held in
the lovely oak grove which gave his
beautiful home = "The Oaks = its
name, hoping that close inspection of
the fine old place might aid him in Win
ming Amy's regard.
He could not believe her insensible
every girl-of being the loved and
honored mistress of a perfectly ap-
pointed home.
Nclllo-Auly 5 SlSIcI, only edI HoI
senior, and as gay and coquettish as
Amy was modest and shy-was in rap
lures over the fine house. the lovely
grounds, and finely cultivated planta-
ton.
what goose Amy will be if she
turns her back upon all this, with hand
some Hugh thrown in! And all for
plain, impecunious Rob Stewart! do
believe the girl is bewitched. I am
sure any one might love Hugh; he is so
merry and splendid-looking' throw
ing laughing glance from her black
eyes toward the spot where their gal
liant young host was striding about the
green-sward attending to the comfort
of his guests.
Amy was invisible, but Hugh knew
just the pretty niche which held her
a lovely spot down by the spring-and
he was well content to have her there.