The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-04-03

girl loved 90 dearly. 10 % sure !
never intimated by word Of mouth that
cared for her, but how could speak
when loved her so intensely and knew
not that my love was in the least re-
ciprocated."
"But Is it not possible that you might
be mistaken Perhaps the flowers
never reached her." said his sympa-
thetic friend, in vain endeavor to
comfort him. ...-..
"Ah! but I made sure of that by going
to the florists afterward. How can I
enter into the pleasures Of the season
when my heart is SO heavy and sad?
I'm obliged to you for your kindness
and sympathy, old fellow, but really I
can't"
Thus ended the matter for the pres.
emit, and Charley went home for the
night.
He was not so certain Of Lydia's dis
like for his friend. Had he not noticed
the sad, listless expression that ap-
peared at times upon her face despite
her endeavor to hide it? Was he not
more capable of rendering a fair judg-
ment than his love-sick friend? Didn't
he know . thing or two about
such affairs, even if he had never
been really in love himself? Yes,
Charley thought SO, and lay
awake long after midnight thinking
and planning. Suddenly he sat up in
bed with jerk and his fist few out and
came down with crack on his shin
that but for his enthusiasm would have
made him vince. Il have it," he ex.
claimed, and turning over he went
peacefully to sleep.
The next few days he carried about
with him certain air of mystery. aud
when he met his friend Jack q curious
smile illumined his features. But Jack,
poor, dear, blind fellow! was oblivious
to every thing excepting his own great
grief, and suspected nothing.
1t was Saturday afternoon, the day
before Easter. and we find Charley
making his way rapidly across the
street to the florists, evidently trying
to avoid detection.
When he reappeared good-sized box
reposed under his arm and generous
smile suffused his always pleasing
countenance. From his actions it
would almost seem, if one did not know
honest, jolly Charley Walters, that he
was bent on some evil mission. He
slipped around the corner, whispered a
few mysterious words into the ears of a
youngster standing there, transferred
the box he was carrying to his willing
hands, took silver piece from his
pocket, gave it to the boy and was
gone.
Next morning Jack must 60 to church.
Charley toon't hear to any thing else.
The church was decorated much as it
was last Easter, the congregation was
much the same, as was also the service.
They are seated in one of the back pews
and are glancing around when-what
is the matter with Jack? His actions
are quite alarming; but don't be appre-
hensive, dear reader, for what he sees is
only very pretty young lady with a
happy smile on her face and lovely
bunch of roses nodding at her corsage.
Just such as he had sent her the year
before. Has the past year been all a
terrible dream and is this that first
Easter, the day on which he had ex-
pected to be so happy, or is the present
scene an optical delusion, the vision OF
disordered brain? While all this and
much more was passing through Jacks
brain Charley sat composed}y back in
his seat apparently much engrossed
with the speakers remarks, and when
the congregation was finally dismissed
he detained his friend in the vestibule
of the church on one pretext or another
until Lydia approached. To Jacl'a vt
ter amazement she stepped forward, ex'
tended her neatly-gloved hand frankly,
invited him to call, gave him her
sweetest smile and was gone before he
could utter a word or make a move.
''What does it mean, Charley; what
shall do? Am awake or is this all a
dream?'
"Never more wide awake in your life,
my dear boy" chuckled Charley, land as
to what you're to do, 1 can only give
this advice: Accept this gracious invita-
ton without delay. And until I see
you again, goodbye"
We will not follow Jack as, with
light, quick steps that he has been a
stranger to this long while, he goes to
the home, of his loved one. We will
leave him in peace with her and will
not listen to the explanations and tender
words that are spoken during this, the
happiest moment of their lives.
When next Jack sees Charley he has
to seek him at his own domicile, and he