Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Nev. County, Ark.) 1885-1???, 1891-02-26

recent date.
Poor Pearl! She cried herself al
most blind she and Harry hunted
everywhere and at last she was fee
bly, consoled by her Cousins well
meant remarks to the effect that
somebody, better than any amount
of rings, would be with her on the
morrow, for her comfort.
Gerald Rivers found, when he
changed cars at Briarfeld, that fel-
low-townsman was on the train.
II did not know you had been
away" ne said, as he took his seat
by Mr.. Hunt.
81 only went down to the city last
night" was the reply, "and am now
on my way home. "
Then you have seen everyone
since l have" Gerald blushed con-
scieusly over the words, land you
can tell me how they all are getting
along"
Mr.. Hunt laughed slyly; he was
one of those persons who would go
out of the way to step on worm or
hurt brother, if words could
hurt.
"Miss Gates is well. anyway" he
explained Weren't you little
smitten in that quarter, Rivers? Poor
fellow She has been around with a
city-looking chap all the week. Very
devoted, he is. Don't know him :;
stranger in these parts -
Gerald never knew how he got
through with the rest of that jour
ney.
"This is the reason, then, that she
did not keep her promise" t" he
thought, as he strobe up to his Of
fee. Il will have it from her own
lips, though. will"
On his office table lay little
package. 1t bore no address what
ever, but he tore it open. Inside lay
his seal ring.
Gerald called to the office boy for
explanation; but that worthy was
playing tag in the street, and did
not heed him. Rivers sank down in
a chair, laid his head on the table
and thought it all out.
II will 60 away tonight, and
never see her again" he SAID, in
his despair. "Oh, Pearl! my little
PEARL
He started up, as the evening
shadows stole in upon him. Just to
see her and not be seen; just tC
have one more glimpse of that dear
face, of the bright hair, the shining
eyes, and the dimpled cheeks.
II must see her." he groaned.
"She is always in the veranda these
summer evenings-how often hay,
met her there And | will stand il
the shade of the trees and look a
her for the last, the very last, time.
So he went his way over the we'll
known road, and stood just where
they had said "good-bye," week
ago, He saw her standing among
the roses and talking with young
man. Gerald turned his head away
sick at heart, and then-he looked
again.
A little cry broke from Pearls
lips, as she ran down the path,
"Oh, Gerald" she said, putting
both her hands on his shoulders. 81
have been looking for you all tn,
evening"" shyly holding her face "
: for kiss.
There must be some mistake,
he thought, in vague kind Of {
way, and kissed her gently.
"Couisin Harry is here" sh'
added, drawing him toward tn,
house. "Oh, must tell you abou
my letter.
And 50, before they reached tn,
porch, Gerald knew the truth.
After the introduction between
Harry and himself, Gerald drew thu
ring from hls pocket and said
gravely;
"Can you tell me what this means
Pearl; found it on my desk IN th'
} office.
Pearl laughed merrily.
"Did you think sent it," sh'
asked, and poor Gerald told TIL,
whole story,
"Delia Spencer was in here to-da,
and said she was in the woods, gath
ering ferns, this morning, and fouuC
the ring under an ak--whcrc mad,
that wreath for your hat, Harry