The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-09-09
MAY.

A dear little nest of home, hidden
away in perfect wilderness of trees and
shrubbery, with here and there glimpse
of the blue, sparkling river, which has
only short way TO run before it meets
the big, foaming ocean waves.
We had lived here all our lives-May,
an orphan cousin, and myself. This
quaint little cottage of ours sbounds in
quiet hooks and cozy rooms, with low
windows opening upon a French piazza,
and the piazza itself, with its screen of
fragrant honeysuckle vines, such a char
ming place for fiirtations At least SO
think May and l, who have most thor
oughly tested its advantages in that re-
spect.
Indeed, here, on its broad steps one
summer right not long ago, sat Tom Hill
dreth and l, apparently so deeply engsg-
ed in this most delightful of pastimes as
TO be quite oblivious to all save our own
precious selves. say apparently, as a
close observer would most certainly have
detected the lugubrious expression MARI
ing Toms handsome features, while the
frequently uttered exclamations of impa-
tience could never be mistaken for words
of endearment.
When our old playmate in the happy
days gone by" he had ever been Mays
declared champion, in all childish diff
culties.
On his annual visits home, after enter
ing the Naval Academy, this partiality
became more and more noticeable, and
now, after long cruise, he had returned,
wearing the unifogm of lieutenant, and
offering attentions decidedly loyer-like
in their character.
But saucy little May only shook back
the clustering curls of gold curled her red
lips disdainfully as the res; of US girls
voted Ihis precious mustache and dash
ing, military air quite captivating, and
declared she knew dozens of others twice
as agreeable as he and as for the bright
buttons, pshaw They were her especial
aversion and pray, weren't naval Off
GERS always the most conceited of men
The rest of us might make as much Of a
hero of him as We chose, but as for her
she would show Master Tom Hildreth
there was one at least who did not con-
slider him irresistible-very far from it.
And to prove herself heart whole and
fancy free beyond doubt, she went on
dancing and singing, in the merriest most
! distracting manner imaginable. Tom,
poor fellow, must soon return to ship
life, and his case was looking desperate,
indeed, when / proposed that he should
transfer all his attentions to my humble
self, eyincing only friendly politeness to
May for had always an opinion that
this incorrigible tease cared more for him
than she would have us know. With
many misgivings as to the result of this
new stratsgem, Tom commenced his du-
ties as my devoted cavalier; ever the
most attentive when May was near, to
whom, now, he was merely courteous and
gentlemanly, with only smile or gay
repartee for her provoking sallies, and a
manner, when addressing her, quite as
cool and Indifferent as was hers conde-
scending and patronizing. Bouquets
with the most tender significance came
TO me, accompanied by notes in Toms
handwriting we rode together, took
long walks in the moonlight and sunlight
and stood at the little rustic gate by the
half hour, the conversation, however, al
ways relating to the little witch standing
on the piazza feeding Jumps of sugar to
the canaries totally unaffected by the sem
timental scene. For two weeks l had
enjoyed % these especial gsllantries and
Tom had at last become utterly hopeless
and had declared his intention of leaving
next day, as we stationed ourselves for
the evening on the piazza steps.
Through the open window came Nays
sweet voice singing to lively piano ac-
compartment, It's better to laugh than
be signing" And as We listened to her
clear, ringing notes, Toms brow darken-
ed, and the innocent vines suffered tor
lures from his savage attacks
"Confound it % he exclaimed, 81 may
as well give up first as last Such an idiot
as I've been making of myself, but"
with sofening Of the voice-"some way
/ always did love her, and IL. hard
giving up all hopes. But suppose am
not the first fellow who has had to live
through disappointment, eh, Mamie ?'
with an attempt TO be brave and uncon-
cerned, which proved a very miserable
failure.
Faint heart you know, quoted,
trying to bring a smile and speak cheer
fully, though was getting terribly tired
as sat watching the honeysuckle bios
SONS swayed by the wind till they look
ed like little scarlet humming birds in the
moonlight, and thinking, what with the
damp air running my crimps and so much
valuable time wasted upon an unappre-
ciative escort, my case was almost as pit
ifnl as his
Little by little, as though unconscious
ly, the wesry strains grew mournful
When the swallows homeward fly"
now came, sweet, wistfnl notes on the
fragrant sir. followed by a sad, low vol
untary-like meaning, sobbing sea waves,
its tremulous melody gradually dying off
into Home sweet home" with the sad
dest, sweetest of variations.
Then the music ceased altogether, a
light rustic of muslin fiounces, the tap of
French heels on the carpet, white hand
pushed aside the curtains disclosing May
herself, standing like picture framed in