The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1891-04-10
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Dl6dSGS9 dHt olly Idu 40 NAiS ~
sponded Jessie Holmes, as, with a
merry laugh, she evaded Guys eX-
tended arm, and with few bounds
reached the top of Il moss-covered rock
beyond his reach.
An impatient exclamation passed his
lips as Guy Morris looked up reproach-
fully into the sparkling face above his
own.
'.Miss Jessie. here have been ali this
afternoon, doing my best to entertain
you, and all have got for my pains is
fiouting and tcasing!'
Jessie laughed again.
"Ah, no, not SO. You have been try
ing your best to lead me into one of
those pleasant flirtations Mr.. Guy
Morris, of the Manor, is so justly cele-
brated for.
A serious expression passed for an
instant over the piquanG face, and then
she spoke again,-
but ;Ltruce to quarrelling. If you'll
promise to stop compliments, I'll
promise to be good as-we walk home.
Is it an agreement?"
BY this time she stood by the
young mans side. Silently he gathered
up the books and basket, and as silent
ly walked on by her side; but he could
not long resist the charm of such .
ramble with such companion.
The path stretched before them cool
and shady. The sun, Pickering here
and there through the trees, made a
delicate fretwork of shade-leaves under
their feet
Little shy flowers all along the way
side nodded and quivered their sun
tipped heads as the soft breeze blew
gently over them.
Jessie was good as she promised and
she noticed with satisfaction that her
little sarcasm had done her escort
good, for she was not troubled with
any more distasteful compliments.
At the farm gate they paused.
81 have enjoyed this afternoon very
much, Miss Jessie; only why that little
lecture from which | am just recover
ing from the effects OF? Why should l
try to fiirt with you?"
He looked slyly up, from under his
dark lashes, to notice the effect OF his
words.
The slender figure before him drew
itself up.
"Mr: Norris, you disPiease me when
you talk in that way. Then, with Il
ouutSh Ii Jlll ndutttil W Htl
own winesome manner-'.Let us part
friends. Goodbye
Courteously lifting his hat, the young
man passed on. and Jessie with very
thoughtful face walked slowly up the
garden path, where Aunt Jane stood,
shading her eyes with her hand, from
the last rays of the setting, sun watch
ing for her.
$50, here you be, home. There's a
note for you; come this afternoon, from
Mrs. Morris. The coachman brung it.
Humph! guess she's a-worriting along
of her sons going so much with my
niece"
Jessie's eyes beamed with amusement
as she read aloud the short note
my DEAR MISS HoLMEs-
= II have heard my son speak of you so often,
have strong desire to form your acquaint-
ance. If agreeable to you, l will call upon
yours truly,
The Manor. LAURA DEANE Norris
'Oh, Aunt Janer' laughed Jessie;
"what patronizing noter'
The following afternoon Jessie and
her aunt sat in the evine-wreathed porch,
as the Manor carriage drove up the
lane. When the carriage reached
the door. Jessie rose to receive the
fashionable figure which advanced up
the steps.
The two formed striking contrast.
Mrs. Morris was clad in trained silken
robe, lG princesse, and her much be-
puffed hair was rolled away from
face which would have been handsome
were it not for a supercilious express
sion. She was the personification of
fashion in its extreme; while Jessie, in
L. a..
simply drawn back into heavy braid,
was fair specimen of a fresh, sweet
country maiden. to whom fashion is
only familiar in books.
Jessie entertained her guest in a
timid, quiet manner, and Mrs. Norris
went home with a verdict that "such a
girl / never saw. To be sure she's
pretty; but, Guy, what you see to adj
mire beyond that puzzles me-"
Guy, suddenly drawing up his long
form from its lazy position, stood erect
before the reclining figure in its silken
drapery.
.'Mother, have made up my mind
to something. l waited to tell you un-
til you had seen her, hoping you would
fall in love with her as | have. Yes"
he continued, quickly, as his mother
was about to speak, Eyes, l love her
with all my heart and soul, and if she
will say yes will make her my wife"
''And how, my son, will You support
a wife when /, in my viii, leave your
inheritance TO your Cousin Hubert?"
The young man WINGED, and began
to speak in an impetuous tone, then
checked himself. and said, calmly
''Do as you please. mother. 1t was
for your sake, and through your solici-
tation, am living this idle life, and
left my professions; but can take it up
again aud win a living for myself and
dear wife, Heaven willing"
The reclining figure sprang up with
an activity one would hardly deem
possible, and for moment Guy stood
overwhelmed with his mothers re-
proaches. Then respectfully taking
her hand, although she tried to prevent
him. he raised it to his lips and strobe
rapidly away.
One bright morning not long after
the above conversation, Guy coaxed
Jessie ont for a walk They strolled