Nevada County picayune., 1892-01-07

qulIe so nara to give nm up.
 But why should she care, if he did not? And again the handsome face seemed to be looking up into hers, as he lay on the grass near her that day, his brown hair tossed back from the broad, white brow.
 If that is your decision, Fay, l must bow to the inevitable, but l will never think of an apple blos- som without thinking of you as l see you now-and without it's bringing this hour back to me. '"
 The words seemed 10 be sounding in her ears now, though year had passed. That day would always stand out distinct and vivid, like the clear-cut figure of the cameo against it's dark background.
 He had not promised to make him. self famous for her sake, and he had seemed content, even when she had withheld her love. This year the long spring days had been spent bu silly, helping her sisters with their extra sewing. They were going with a party of friends to some fashiona- ble resort. Now they had the added pleasure in anticipation of meeting the author of the new book. Fay herself had no such pleasant antic ipations she and mamma were go ing, as usual, to the country, and she consoled herself as best she could, knowing that the older girls must be married before her time would come to enter the charmed circle of society. She had not cared much. She had longed to go to the old free life in the country but just as everything was almost in readl- ness this north-eas rain, an unusu- al thing for this season, had put an end to the journey for the present. So, with face pressed against the window-pane, she repeated softly to herself:
 Unto each life some rain must fall,
 Some days be dark and dreary.n
 Three weeks had passed away, and out in the orchard at the farm, Fay Alton was crouching dismally enough this bright, sunny day, on her grassy couch. Half an hour be- fore, Sam, thS boy who did the chores, coming out in quest of her, had handed her package neatly sealed and directed in the familiar handwriting she remembered so well. Opening it she found handsome book, all green and gold, and on the white hy-leaf was written, "A Bunch of Apple Blossoms, for Fay, from the Author" A swift blush of shame mantlcd her white brow and crept down to the lace around her neck. She knew well enough now who the author was. How had she ever dared to accuse Ivan Gerard even in thought, of being drone Now she knew the significance of the swift smile that had overspread his face when she had declined the offer of his hand, "hecause if sht ever wed at all it must be an earnest worker. "
 But he was revenged," !" she solil- oquized. She, with her pet theory had never accomplished anything while he, when she had refused him had already made a success of life still there was one small grain ol comforts he had not forgotten her even when fortune smiled most ia vorably,on him he had thought of her Looking further, she read the ded ication. "To the fairest flower in the garden of girls, this spray Of apple blossoms is dedicated by the all thor.
 Fay wondered, just as many oth CTS were doing, who the favored gir might be. She thought the booi had just arrived by express or mai from the city; she had not noticed that there was no label attached, no any stamps, and l do not believ' | she would have felt half so miserable if she had only known that that very moment Ivan Gerard was brushing off the dust of travel and freshenin, up his toilet in the old room over looking the orchard that had beeI l his last summer.
 Stopping occasionally, he looked through the window. He felt yer, happy when Fay kissed the book ami he smiled brightly when she pn her head down doletully, and, bury
 ing her face in her handkerchief crouchcd down among the blossom nhn hnd nnlhernl and he knew sh