Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-02-26
80 STUPID"
Nevertheless He Finally Did the
Sensible Thing.

Soon after Stamford had received his
degree as graduate of a leading
university, he went to visit some rel
atives who lived in a town on the
northern shore of the Susquehanna
river. Besides the delight that his rel
atives showed in meeting for the first
time this cousin from the north, their
Inequalities and unrestrained cordiali-
ty at once made Stamford feel perfectly
at home, and happy over the thought
that he was to spend fortnight at
their home. His aunt and uncle had
but one child, girl, few years
younger than he. When Stamford
arrived Dorothy had friend visiting
her, Miss Colyon, of Virginia.
While Stamford was in the dining
room enjoying the late tea which his
aunt had prepared purposely for him,
and while. he was talking now to one
and now to another and entertaining
all, Miss Colyon sat just opposite him.
She listened attentively to what he
said, smiled at his clever way of saying
little things, and looked so impressive
ly pretty, Stamford thought, in her
evening gown, as she rested her arms
upon the table, that he considered it
only just to the artistic sense of his ma
ture that he should allow his eyes all
freedom to turn to her. For several
days he thought of her continually,
and admitted to himself that he had
never met a girl who had impressed
him in every way as being so beau
tiful and whose very presence gave
him so much happiness.
One afternoon when Stamford was
lying in the shade of one of the old
trees, with book as his sole compan.
ion, Miss Colyon came out
II didn't know you were reading-I
won't interrupt you," she said, coloring
a little as he looked up, and then turn
ing to go back.
mo, please don't go; wasn't read.
ing; was just running over several
passages here and there that l once
knew by heart; and besides, l was do
ing this merely to pass away the time
while you, as supposed, were taking
your afternoon nap"
mo-" she said, sitting down anc
carefully arranging her skirt If
seems such waste of time, for one
who is as strong as / really needs nj
such rest during the day. Don't 20,
wish to tell me more about your col
lege life, and then want you to ge
your guitar and sing me some of thos'
happy college songs"
She spoke but seldom, evidently pre-
terring to listen to him; her swee
smiles and easy laugh, and the wa,
she watched him, showed that tn,
"reminiscences of his college days en-
tertained her. Then he 90 his guitar
and played softly as he sang her tn,
choicest songs he knew.
Later that evening, when Doroth.
went into Miss Colyon's room, sh
found her sitting at the open window
what are you doing, dear?"
Nothing much, Dorothy, only think
ing"
WELL" said Dorothy, sitting dow
beside her and taking her hand, 'sup
pose, just for the sake of old times
dear, that you tell me what you wer
thinking about, won't your"
81 was thinking about your cousin
II Is silly, / suppose, dear, for I'm al
most sure he doesn't think Of me, but
can't help thinking of him now an
then, for since the very first time say
him he has impressed me as being sue
n manly fellow. That was the frs
thing admired about him. Then
was impressed by the fact that he is s
well educated.
"He is so refined in everything h
says and does, and has such polishe
manners; and so many men, dear, woul
envy him his height, his broad shou
ders and his fine physique generally
OF course ] admire it. And you kno,
he is entertaining; and, dearest" sh
continued, after little hesitation
you must admit that he is fine lool
ing. When l was coming upstairs t.
night he came out in the hall INC
ment to say something, and once, whe
1 was well on my way up, he raise
his eyes, rested his head back on hi
hand, and looked up at me, snd-wel
/ know it's silly. dearest but he wa
the hanlsomest creature l ever saw
Then he sang to me this afternoon ou
on the lawn-and such a voicel No,
you know, dear, that Pm not sent
mental aud all that sort of thing, bu
yet ] am girl, and | can't help admin
ing and liking this cousin Of yoursp
"Ars y0u very sure, aearestY" Dor.