The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-10


was as clipper as a cricket, as pretty as a
fairy, and as silly as girl her age could
well be. She was as coy as a cat and pos.
sessed a naive coquetry as effective as the
tabled love potions Of the dark ages.
Wherever she went there was merr. ment,
and he whom she smiled upon never forgot
il, and found himself involuutarily making
his way to her side. Her laugh rang like the
ripping Of the waters. and her step was as
lignt as the wood nymph upon the ferns.
Her eyes in their azure brightness mirrored
the purity and sweetness of her soul, as the
crystal waters Of the mountain rill mirrors
the little pebbles upon its bosom.
1t was her delight TO fiirt; to break hearts
in an innocent way, never giving a thought
to the future aud seldom turning back to
the past, looking always to the happy pres
ent, primping, toggery and her flirting,
taking her regulation girls bysterical cry
with clock-like punctuality. In truth, she
was a puzzle; flower that would attract
the eye, soul and body of an old bachelor
like myself. She would sing topical songs
with the most brazen unconcern, and dance
jigs in a way that would make the most pet
ted ingenue grow envious. II was all one
with Estelle. She meant no harm and was
never tired Of fun and frolic.
loved the little witch from the first, and
although l had sworn allegiance to bachelor
hood long years before, j was the most con-
slant and ardent Of her admirers | did
not know that she ca ed any more for my
smiles than others, but she told me, in her
peculiarly beHitching way, that l always
had "a sorter benevolent, papa>like look, as
she expressed it, and that looked upon her
1t seemed, as poor little impulsive dove that
did not wish to see get its wings soiled
"And such large, soft gray eyes. 50 kindly
indulgent, that 70 be under their gentle
gaze was like awakening and going out
into the autumn dawn some fair morning"
she naively said. And | thank you ever
so much indeed" was added with peculiar
wrlngiug of her little bands, and u smile
that would have reached far less suscepti-
BILE hearts than mine, which / once prided
myself was invulnerable to wOmans
charm. This was all gilded tlattery. Of
course, but it was innocent and mad IA
suavity indicted into it that could not fail
70 make il please. The earnest heart does
not always get the praise that it we'll de-
serves. and little fattery often cheers, even
though we know It's fattery.
1t was late one early summer night when
she told me this, and we were standing il
the doorway. she swinging her pretty head
at arms length out into the open air, the
loose sleeves of the airy gown she wore
forced far above the elbows of her snow
white arms. wandering moonbeam
played about the golden ringlets that
wreathed her white brow, as in her swing
ing back and forth she swung past the
shadow Of the narrow caves. IL was q
bewltching picture, and in the charm il
threw around me forgot all my VOWS OF
celibacy and caught wildly at the little fin
gers that held TO the railing OF the broad
yeranda, determined not to retire that night
until had a promise from her saucy lips
and kiss from that bewitching brow. |
believe the mischievous little elf was aware
of my passion all along, and ere formed the
thought she darted like romping mouse
though the doorway and left me bewildered.
TO be consoled by the mellow moonlight and
a target for the little stars to shoot their
haunting arrows at.
AS passed in through the hallway and
up the stairs, she just barely drew apart the
portiere and pressed her chubby cheeks
against the wall aud said goodnight with a
mischievOusness that made me almost rush
back and gather her in my arms and draw
the promise from her lips. | caught lust a
glimpse of one Of the blue twinklin9 ewes
that peeped out from behind the screen and
the dimpled chin resting in the soft white
palm.
| laid myself down to sleep and thought
but little more about it. just as a man of
my age should, but resolved that with
well directed blows of constancy, bonbons
and etceteras, to storm the fortress and
carry off the prize. had passed the age of
sleeplessness and poetry writing and the
other sundry wiles aud ways the hopelesslv
infatuated lover enlists to entra9 his fair
game.
My opportunity presented itself In sur
prisinRly short time. The day dawned the
brightest and pretuest that fair Juno ever
gave to the world. | at once determined
that unless nature changed her smile into
frown, would know my fate this day, and,
hastily dressing myself. l hurried down
stairs. found her in the flower garden
bending over favorite bed of piuks, with
waterproof in hand, caressing their soft
cheeks.
She looked up with a start as she heard
my voice, as though she expected should
pounce upon her and propose despite her
self. She was indeed charming, her shapely
head enveloped in great Quaker bonnet OF
gingham, the brightness of her young face
beamlng from its depths like ray Of sun
light filtered through a bunch Of roses. l
Toasted upon the delicious picture before me,
in my enchantment unable 10 speak and
then. remembering my resolve, begged that
she accompany me in drive out into the
country for some June peaches. She accented
my invitation with a gracious smile that
made even the sunbeams pale in their bright
ness, answering in her inimitable character
istic affirmative:
"Yop"
She could utter this word in a little pop
ping, kissing tone that would make one
chuckle with delight, and yet it was not in
the least coarse or vulgar. In truth, all
that winsome Estelle said or did, was re-
fined and pretty.
The afternoon drew near. had not left
her side since the morning, and as the time
for our departure arrived, l gently lifted
her to a seat and took up the reins. NV
spirited little dark bay pony, the pet of my
old bachelors heart was the embodiment
of all that was iuvincible, miscnievouS and
unruly in horse fesh and he outdid himself
this bright June day aud was soon spinning
us along at a rapid rate, engaging all my
time and attention to watch his miscellaneous
pranks and keep him in check In our
short acquaintance of four weeks | thought
that l had never seen Estelle look so lovely
as she did that day in soft white dress or
tulle-like lace stuff, bound about the slender
waist with bit of rich blue ribbon, a bunch
of fresh red roses reposng upon her young
bosom pulsing with all that is happy and
best of youth, their brightness wing with
the pink of her perfectly formed throat,
where the loose gown fell in careless
abandon about it. The breezes were rip
ping as softly as though they were caress-
ing the quiet waters of beautiful Como, and
the sun would steal in now and then under
meath the wide white leghorn hat and take q
kiss from her soft cheeks. II she was more