The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-09-01

"You have lots Of flowers"
Eyes, and these lovely violets- they
came this morning with no card at
tached, but I think I can thank you
for them" she said, looking up brightly
at him.
A tender look came into his eyes as
he said, Yes, I sent them, and I'm
much obliged to you for wearing
them"
"Oh," said Gladys rather coolly, -
had no preference. They matched my
dress so weII-that is why l wore
them"
YES, I see" assented he as cOolly,
"Those cream roses would not look
we'll with it at all, for instance"
Poor little violets-that last remark
caused their dethronement, for the girl
with q flush hastily and angrily de
tached them, saying, Come to think
Of it, the roses would be far more
effective" and pinned a few of the
long stemmed beauties in their place.
just as quickly Jack replaced the
few viOlets he had worn in his coat
with a rosebud that she dropped, say
ing, Mine are withered, too"
Gladys looked annoyed, but said
nothing, and in five minutes they were
hurredly eating dinner at the station
restaurant.
Afterward Jack amused and enter
tanned her till the early bedtime, and
she slept soundly that night, feeling
safe with a friend so near.
Carefully looking from behind her
curtains next morning, Gladys saw
that the opposite section had been
changed 1.-TWO beds to two seat
| again, but Jack was not visible. Half
an hour found her dressed, waiting for
him to appear, as she intended asking
him to breakfast out of the we'll stocked
hamper.
Presently he came in, and after a
very slight hesitation smilingly &C
| cepted her invitation. He helped her
unpack the hamper and set the table
in her section, and in a perfect gale of
/ fun they began their morning meal,
sitting opposite.
This IS fun, isn't it2" said Gladys,
spearing for a sardine with a cork
screw, for Jack, as company, vas
honored with the only fork.
"Immenser' he assented so emphatic
ally that she laughed gleefully.
Emboldened by this, Jack, in the
act of carrying a piece of cold chicken
| to his mouth, leaned over, and lower
ing his voice and fork at the same
| time, said coaxingly: Lets breakfast
together always-shall we, Gladysz1
She smiled in spite of herself at his
| tone and manner, even while a dainty
frown slightly married her pretty fore
head, and she answered briefly and
emphaticaIIy: "CouIdn't think of
such a thing. "Don't be silly, Jack"
"Oh, you cruel little girl" said Jack
dramatically, as he Strengthened up
and proceeded to eat the morsol on his
fork.
Their merry little meal over, the rest
of the day passed in the usual routine
of a Pullman car. Jack was all de.
votion from first to last. Reading.
talking, and eating, with hasty little
~promenaGcs when there was any op-
p~ortunity, was the order of the day.
Gladys acknowledged to herself,
after bidding him good night, that
Jack was a very pleasant companion
but she did not want to marry him;
no, indeed.
Jack Hollis had known and loved
Gladys Preston since lie was a boy of
10 and she a little girl of IA. He had
proposed and been declined several
times, but knowing that she did not
dislike him, and believing that "every-
thing comes to the man who waits, y
he was waiting, and in the meantime
wooing to the best of his ability.
He was very much afraid she would
meet some other man during her visit
who would fall in love with her and
win her; hence his deep laid scheme
to travel to Omaha with her. AS for
Gladys, afther her first surprise at
seeing him on board, she was SO used
to his never failing devotion that she
took his coming with her as a matter
of course. 1t was just like Jack, she
thought.
The second morning Gladys arose
with a severe headache, With that
and a wretched nights sleep she was
worn out and cross-undeniably so.
She snubbed poor Jack, who was all
sympathy; refused the cup of tea he