Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-02-16

That 3Liyk and sudden interest
Which J. uot easily suppressed
on sn unusually warm day in December,
when the afternoon sun beats relentlessly
down upon the arid plains and rocky noun
tain> of one of our far southwestern
states solitary hor>eman rides leisurely
along thr lrail leading 10 the Arnold ranch.
\ solderly looking fellow in his soldier ;
uniform; athletic keen Of eye. self-relisnt
4 man who. since going to the plains
from the Point ten year, before, has seen
much active service.
Presently he disinpunt- at the door Of a
long low, adobe house. aud enters with an
air of one familiar with the premises 1t
Is refre~hingly cool and inviting looking
room into which be quietly walks the
windows are opened wide, and 3 faint
orr,zr Just stir> the curtains the fragrance
~ great bowls of flowers ills the air and 3
low, sweet note of song comes from the
hite -gowned girl standing before an easel.
pa.ette and brush in hand. So intent i
she upon the work She does not hear
him until. close beside her he speaks:
"Haw well you are doing, Miss Rose.
|, that To be the grand picture?"
She turns with little half-suppressed
cry Of alarm, and then her eyes light up
with Shy pleasure. "Oh, Captain Hilton,
how you startled me"
Capt Hilton laughs and disposes of his
tall form in large arm chair, while Miss
Rose hastily puts aside her painting mate
rials, and takes OF her big work apron.
"How deliciou-ly comfortable it s here. =
he says, after few moments desultory
chat. IF you would only be good enough
to sing for me little il would complete
the charm. Please do. know you will
not refuse 8 poor soldier Miss Rose"
And Miss Rose goes at once 10 the piano.
clear. sweet voice she has, and way of
singing little pathetic songs that makes
them mean more than from other lips and
the singing and piano tha' had found its
way west year or two before, have been a
source Of much pleasure TO the forloru
soldiers at the fort near by, for Miss Rose,
amusements that their former life afforded,
never refused to add to their meagre en-
joyment by her music
To-day she goes over all of Capt. Hill
tons favorite songs, and he, thinking how
soon he must leave his old comrades for
an indefinite time, feels his heart grow
strangely tender.
II Is time for him to take his departure
when the singer gets up from the piano,
but he fingers beside her on the vine COW
cred porch, reluctant to say farewell. He
silently watches the small, girlish fingers,
that are carelessly spelling the roses at her
belt, and suddenly he stoops and arrests
their destruction, gently taking the flow
ers from her.
''You will give me these, Rose, In mem
ory Of this afternoon. | shall look a,
them when am far away from here, and
think Of my little friend"
"Oh, Captain Hilton, surely ycu are no,
going awayf"
At sight of the white, shocked face, anC
the tell tale eyes that are raised to his fol
one instant. he takes both her hands in hi.
with clasp that is, perhaps, more caress
ing than he knows.
"Shall you miss me:" he asks softly
Are you sorry to have me 60, Rose?'
"lt-it is unexpected, is it not?" she
falters.
Somewhat, but my colonel though
perhaps year or 50 in the east would bt
good for me, and so | am sent to re-
cruting rendezvous at my old home.
shall see my mother, Rose, whom l hav,
| not met for eight years. You can imag
inc what pleasure it will be to me. But
after all, shall miss the boys, and shal
miss the pleasant moments | have passet
here. so much. You will not forget me
| Rose?"
There is no resisting the steady gaze o.
those brown orbs; slowly the white lid.
rise, and the girls innocent eyes look into
his. Two big tears well up in them, bu
her pride successfully forces them back.
"A year, or two at most, is not so long
is it, Rose? and then | shall be back again
Shall l find you just the same dear little
maiden? | hope so. l should not like tt
think of you ever changing. May writ'
to you sometimes? And now, good-by
He bent and pressed his lips to her hant
and was gone.
Chapter IL.
Al had-ah happyI but tits gone