The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-01-02

Isn't it odd?' -,
Very odd"
Il must have made a mistake"
She concentrated her gaze upon me IN
what seemed to me one glance of wither-
ing contempt
You are very much mistaken If you
think to impose that brand new book
mark on me for the one gave you"
Oh for an earthquake. cyclone. any
thing to change the situationl
How ridiculous." | muttered, trying
to force a laugh and put Il humorous
view on it all
She declined to see anything ludicrous
in the act She became more grave. if
possible, than ever.
l picked up the bookmark and bent
my hot face down over it to hide my
confusion. | had lost all presence of
mind. My ideas were i'm a state of chaos
What to say | didn't know. and didn't
know what said
Il see, | stammered, 1.-The one you
g-gave me was worked in red
hair. --- ns
a peal of laughter brought me to my
senses My discontinue was complete.
fell back lin my chair and covered my
face with my hands. ts
You do THAT just like a GIRL" heard
her CRY 'leIigi,redIy It's exactly what
did when you left me that day in the
school yard. and thought about my
blunder in spelling. Only covered my
face with my apron. <' sai
Presently mustered courage to look
at her
Who made that book mark?" she ask
ed, resuming serious expression
My sister. E.F
What made you do such a thing?"
My admiration for you"
'Nonsensef st
There is u tide in the affairs Of
men, y | muttered. which, taken at
the food -
Il have admired you" 1 said. humbly
ever since hesitated.
Il was red headed little imp"
No" went on. profiting by the les
son had learned and speaking frankly.
Then, to thoughtless, unreasoning
children you were not attractive"
Snow you are speaking manfully.
| Please don't ever attempt to impose on
me again
Indeed, never will. if you will for
| give me for this.
You are forgiven" she said, kindly.
But you haven't told me when this
| admiration for me bloomed."
when l met you on Christmas night
! at the dancing party"
In other words, you have admired
me for whole week"
looked at her frankly, honestly, and
| meant every word | spoke when re-
| piled: 'In those three days have been
| crowded enough admiration to offset ten
| years of Indifference"
| She blushed and lowered her eyes.
| 1t has not been only admiration" l
| went on For three whole days have
been madly in love with you"
She leaned back in her chair and drew
long, long sigh.
| you know that speak the truth
by your past record?"
| No, by my sincerity. You can see it
in every feature: my voice. my eyes, my
whole being"
| She sat with her eyes fixed on a spot
in the carpet, occasionally raising them
| to mine as though wondering whether !
was worthy of credence.
| Il don't believe a word YOU saw"
J
that she was wavering My want of
reputation with her for truthfulness was
certainly a great barrier in the way of
NY convincing her of my sincerity, but
lid not despair, for l knew that what
said was only too true. For half an
hour continued the attack, she parry
ing every thrust, and continually re-
minding me of my recent deception; but
the quickest way to convince is to be
| really in earnest, and this gave me the
| victory.
Its SO sudden" she said
| We have loved each other for a
week" urged
Yours may have been since then.
| "Yours?" 4 a q
Has lasted ever since syouifought for
me-" :,... .te5 -
Then knew why had won SO sudden
| a victory -..,..,.. +. - =
Before | took my leave that evening !
caught sight of reflection in the mir
ror. What do you suppose it was? 1t
was Reddie and I, she lovingly resting
in my arms. with her head on my shoul-
| der, her back to the mirror, with my
face toward it. is -
"Ah." l said to myself, not even
/ speaking the words in a whisper-my
lips were too near her ear. "It is due to
the generosity and gratitude of that
freckletl, red headed child you spurned
ten years ago, that you are not getting
your just deserts now" Ei. -
- .5.seas
| why uncle" !" said lass of II, II
didn't know you were that. kind of "a
young man ever" ssA- se1ft
'sWhy didn't you marry Reddie2''
asked another. s,s, -
perhaps she resumed her common
sense and thought better of it after all, "
said the white haired lady at the center
table, her head bent down low over her
work
'Pshaw,r said matter of fact girl OF
TO- 81 know who Reddie was
'tWho! asked q chorus of voices
.'Auntie." gd - s
''How could that be, you little goose, y
said her uncle, .when a,mtie has white
hair and Reddie's was redT' IA
.'Hes made most of it out Of whole
cloth" said the old lady THAT about
\ the mirror is ridiculous If had sup
posed he'd talk about such things /
wouldn't"-
/ The old lady stopped short. and the
boys and girls all burst into a laugh, :
3 =