Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-09-24

could help you with your studies, but
we haven't the money to buy bools.''
ST know that, mother, but I was
thinking that 1 might borrow some"
81 don't know who you could borrow
them from, Louise. don't suppose any
one about here has them"
ST know who has Them" Louise re-
piled, "but I don't know whether you
would want me to get them of him.
Paul has lots of books that he brought
from school with him, and he has often
proposed to let me have Them
"Paul Markham?" Mary asked.
EYES," said Louise; che has the books
1 need, and he has begged me to take
them
Louise" Mary said after awhile,
'tyou know how old Markham talked to
you that night you went to the store,
and you know we have had nothing to
do with them since, and you know that
we can't accept any favors from Paul.
Louise arose and going to the win
dow stood for a minute or so looking
out into the snow-covered prairie.
Unconsciously she let a sigh escape her,
and, though it was soft and low, the
quick ears of her mother caught it.
LOUISE" Mary called, ''don't fret
about the books, for we shall try to get
them soon.''
''It is not the books, MOTHER Louise
replied as she came and put her arms
about her mothers neck and laid her
face on her bosom. 81 can wait for
Them
'"Then what makes you sad, my
child?" and Mary strolzed her daughters
hair and tried to lift the bowed head.
'What is it you sigh for?'
'I-Im afraid you and pa do not like
Paul." and Louise buried her face
deeper on her mothers breast. He is
so good and generous, and is all the
friend have in the world aside from
you two, and I'm afraid you do not like
him"
"Why, I'm sure 1 have nothing
against him, child. He is quiet, hon
est, Industrious young man, and if it
wasn't that he is Markham 1 couldn't
say word against him.
''He is a Markham, mother, but he is
not like his father. He is as generous
and kind as he can be, and I do wish
you and pa would be friendly with him."
! Mary began to have a suspicion of
something underlying this uncommon
interest felt by Louise in Paul, and for
several minutes she was undecided how
to proceed. Finally she took the girls
head in her hands and lifted it up until
the face was opposite her own, and if
she had wanted any further evidence to
confirm the truth of her surmises, she
would have found it in the telltale
! bushes that swept over the fair young
cheeks.
''Louise,'' she said, ''don't keep any
secrets from me, but tell me why you
take such deep interest in Paul.
''Because-don't think me silly, moth
er, for I can't help it. love him.
These last words were spoken in a
faint whisper, but Mary understood
them, and drawing her child to her,
pressed her close to her bosom, and
thus they remained for long time.
Mary was the first to break the silence.
'Paul shall never receive anything
but the kindest treatment from me, -
she said, ''and know John will treat
him as a gentleman. Paul is q good
man, and if you love him he shall have
my love, too"
''Thank you, mamma, I knew you
would like him, for my sake, and you
will like him better when you know
how good and noble he isl
Then another long silence followed
after which Mary eaid:
HAS Paul spoken to you of love
Louise?'
''No, he never has. That is, not ex
actly."
''And are you sure you love him?"
81 know love him, mamma, he is sc
good and kind, and is all the friend
have aside from you and pa"
The mother smiled family at the
girls earnestness and strolxing the soft
brown hair gently, said:
Louise, you are young yet, a mere
child, and I'm afraid you do not know
your heart as well as you think. Yol
have great liking for Paul as one il
apt to have for good friend whel
friends are few. You admire his kind
ness of heart, for, poor child, you have