The Irish standard., 1890-04-05

1.-THE moon will be up pretty soon, I"
he murmured.
II How horribly fast the horses were
going. He felt tremendously grateful
to Bob for giving him this opportunity.
If he only had enough courage to profit
by it!
s'Do you know" he said, II was afraid
you'd be offended at my coming
ssOffendedl'' she echoed. "Why, I
was glad you thought Of bringing me-"
''It's very good Of you to say So"
! She was tritle puzzled by his em-
barrassment.
\ eve are going to have fine night
after all" she remarked; ''the stars are
coming out"
The little face in the white zephyr
hood was upturned to the kindling sky.
And then, very suddenly, he did an ex-
traordinarily strange thing for bashful
man to do, He never afterward could
comprehend how he had been valorous
enough for such an act. He bentand
kissed the girl beside HIM.
She drew back trembling.
"You have no right to do that" she
cried.
.'Give me the right" he pleaded,
grown bold all at once. ''I'1h awfully in
love with you, Sylvia. Give me the
right"
II can not" she whispered.
Z. s'Why not?''
She was silent. Distinctly sounded the
clatter of the horses hoofs on the hard,
white road. Onward the sleigh sped, by
farms and fences and few red-gold
window panes.
. sis there he asked, ''any one else?"
She hesitated.
eyes" ...
His heart sank like lead. There was
no hope for him, then. In silence they
drove on. The moon had risen and was
swinging up the sky, a globe of pearl.
Evidently they were late. When they
reached the small wooden school-house
where the reunions were held they saw
several teams hitched without. From
the windows of the structure the light
streamed. They could catch pleasant
murmur of voices.
" Brighter the moonlight had grown.
AS Bassett assisted Sylvia to alight she
started, cried out.
ssWhat is it?" he asked.
His face was pale, and, she fancied,
rather stern.
cts it you?" she painted, t'Reuben Bas-
sett?"
ssWho," he asked, culver in his
grave voice, ''did you think it WASP"
She had not withdrawn the hand she
had given him when about to descend.
Now it fiuttered in his like captured
bird.
II thought" she faltered, 81 was with
your cousin!'
Bob Benham?" @
Eyes,
He went step nearer.
Sylvia" he questioned, queer, wild
hope Juggling at his sorrowful soul and
making him desperately brave, "did you
mean mo to him?"
He could hardly hear her low assent.
ssAnd the-the man you cared for
AZ He broke off. She leaned towards
him. She held out her little mittened
hands to him. Blushing and fearful in
the radiant winter moonlight, her ten
der young face smiled down upon him.
Never word she said. He needed none.
ssDarling!' he said, and sprang into
the sleigh.
s'You don't care to go IMP" +
'sNo-oh, no!'
just then the door Of the school house
was opened. Light billowed mellowly
forth. Those within called to them to
hurry, that a debate was in progress.
But Reuben snatched up the reins,
shouted out laughing refusal and
turned his horses homeward. He was
not at all timid now Indeed, twas as
tonishing how assertive and masterful
he had suddenly become.
.sWhy did you ignore me 80? You
never were civil to me, dearest"
1.-THE idea OF Representing me, when
you used hardly to notice MP
ssThat was because 4oveu you so!'
aWell. perhaps was afraid you wo,: Id
think that I liked your
And then they both laughed out hap
PLY like the blissful and ridiculous
young people they were.
Such splendid ride as that Was'
Surely never the stars shone SO superb
", or was the air so sweet!
The following day Reuben went to see
his cousin.
..Hello,' 2 he cried. .'Why didn't you
tell Sylvia that you couldn't go last
night?'''
81 HAD no chance. Gotstuck In snow
drift, and didn't get homo till nine.
What's up?''
For Reuben was beaming. .s
ssCongra tulate me!''
He held out his hand. Al
ssY You don't mean" cried Bob, thunder
struck, ssthat you're engaged to Sylvia2''
.'Oh, yes, Ido.' x..8
We'll, 2 declared Bob, with. 9 vigorous
handshake and friendly grin, Il must
say that you have done famously-for
! bashfui manl'' Kate M. Cleary, Ia
Detroit Free Press.
Young Lsdlss on . loot.
The young ladies Of Fullerton, Neb:.,
hAys organized brass = ',l band: