The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-03

ence. He loved her with all the un-
wasted strength of his perfect manhood,
with all the tenderness of q true mans
first love.
One evening he told her. They were
sitting together on NOISY log beside the
creek.
Wilma had thrown off her wide gar
den hat, and the late rose in her dark
hair cleaned whitley like 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; che is too masterful; he asks as
though my heart was some light thing
to which he had right. I will teach
him it Is not"
She rose and turned to go. He caught
her hands and detained her.
wilma, are you not going to say a
word? Are you then the coquette 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 I am ready to answer you"
she said, 81 win send it to you," and
then she slipped away and hurried toward
the house. A spice of romance 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
path through the 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 l met him today,
and needs 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, I'm
sure. He does act strangely of late.
Will he stay away long, do you Think
"a month, he said" she answered.
The girl drew a quick breath. "a
month, she thought. In a month l
shall be back in school"
Her heart beat quickly. After a while
she took little box from her bureau,
and went down stairs and out into the
garden.
She called to Don and wandered down
to the messy log beside the creek. She
had been here every day since that time
week ago.
She sat down on the log, and Don sat
down beside her, looking gravely at the
running stream.
She drew little folded note from the
box in her hand and opened it.
Come to me-" it said, and then in deli
cate tracery her name, Wilma"
That was ALL
The girls eyes shone half mischievous-
ly as she fastened the tiny box to Don's
silver collar with bit of ribbon, and
bright color glowed in her cheeks.
Then she folded her small hands to-
gether and looked seriously into the
dogs great. noble eyes.
Good old Don," she said, "'take it to
Ronald to Ronald do You under
standY'
He looked up intelligently into her
face and trotted off sedstely.
Ronald Mitchell was in his room
alone. One by enc such articles as were
necessary were being packed into his
travelling bag.
A sudden patter ON the stairs arrested
familiar black head was thrust through
the half opened doorway.
why, DoR, old fellow Come to say
good-by? What's this'"
He unfastened the little box and open
ed it. When he had unfolded the slip Of
paper and found the withered white
rose he sprang TO his feet. Then, to
Don's Amusement, he bounded down the
stairs and ont into the summer twilight,
the grave dog following at his heels.
He found her on the mossv log beside
the creek, looking expectantly toward
him with the shy, sweet glow of love in
her dark eyes and on her face.
Only Don was the witness of that
meeting. but when little later the
happy lovers wandered up the sweetly
scented garden, cool and shsdowy in the
cleaning, and grandmamna came TO
meet them with glsd surprise and
light Of calm contentment In her serene
face. all thoughts of the projected visit