The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-29

- f..sssss ..s-s.iy;s asfS
suppose was ornery to him, but Lord
knows never meant to be after what he's
done for me. Why, when he set this arm
over that day and bound it up and fixed it
SO easy, why, could have kissed his hands,
they were so soft and gentle"
''Fatherr'
Seth looked around and saw Purity stand
ing with burning face and parted lips, one
hand clinched on the table, the other
pressed tightly ON her breast. He said:
why. now, Purity, child, what's the
mat ter?''
Father" she asked. who set your arm
that day?n
Why replied her father you had
ought to know The new hand, of course,
and you was with him all the time"
ooh, fatherl" she cried, while the red
blood surged over her white neck. face and
brow. "Oh. father! kissed him!a
Then like flash she flew from the room,
out into the little garden and still on down
the long lane, with flying feet and throb-
bling heart. to her own little nook by the
spring.
How long she sat there she never knew,
but she was aroused by the sound of foot
steps approaching. and springing to her feet
saw before her the cause Of all her trouble
the new hand himself.
''You here?" he cried. "Why, you have
been crying! What has happened-tell
mel' with long stride toward her
Nothing -only-only''- replied Purity
with desperate effort to keep down the
swelling in her throat and the tears from
her eyes.
"Well?'' he asked after pause. what.
only what?"
'Oh, don't talk to mer' she said, and
then added desperately, go away-go
away-how dare you speak to me after
that?"
After what?" he asked, pausing in a
hasty movement to CO. AFTER what?"
"Oh-oh-dear!" cried Purity, sobbing
now. Cant you un-understand?
thought you-you-were DR.. Hays?" Then
seeing him still there she clinched her
little hands, stamped her foot and said:
''How dare you stand there staring at NO
like that? l hate your and then began
crying again.
One long, swift stride, and both her hands
were in his.
"Purityl Purityl' be cried. You don't
mean that? You don't hate me? How can
you hate me when I love you SO? I see it
all now From the first time saw you
that day loved you, and from that day
you have avoided and repealed me till at
last l did think my presence here was hate
full to you, and SO I was going away to-
night without ever seeing you again, but
now I know why you acted SO to me. 1t
was all through that mistake that day,
wasn't it, Purity?"
No." she answered, with downcast eyes,
II never knew until today"
''Then it was because you disliked me,
was it, Purity, and do you want me to
leave your"
mo, it was not that" she answered
softly.
"What, them" he asked, new light
breaking on him.
"Oh, dearl" she answered. "Can't you
see?"
''Then shall 1 go away forever, Purity,
and do you hate me?"
NO" she answered, IL love you'll"
His strong arms were around her, her
head sank upon his breast, when at that
critical juncture a low, gurgling laugh was
heard, and thin, sharp, affected voice
said:
well done, DR.. Brownl And this is how
you pass your summer vacation, is it?
Upon my word, wish your city friends
could see you now"
They looked quickly around to see two
elegantly dressed young ladies standing
only few feet away, looking on.
Mothers summer boarders!' cried Puri-
ty and fled down the lane.
''The deucel'' exclaimed the new hand
between his teeth, and leaping the hedge
fled also, followed by another triumphant
little gurgle, leaving the newcomers mas
tiers Tor mistresses) of the situation.
That night at tea the hand came down
and was introduced with much mock DO
likeness and good deal of gurgling to Mr.
and Mrs. Goodrich as "Dr. Brown, rising
young physician, and one Of the greatest
catches of the season."
But Purity didn't care who he was, and
when his vacation ended and he returned to
his duties in the city she went with him.
And society said. ''Shocking!'-A. G..
WINS in New York journal.