The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-15
JASPER'S WOOING.


looked round for Daoust to carry his
baggage up to Labelle's as in days of
Sore. But old Daoust was dead and
therefore could not come.
Millette put the heavy trunk on q
truck sleigh and began to trot along the
wooden wharf. Then, when NIillette
paused for breath, Greene pushed the
old man aside and took hold of the truck.
Say, Millette, I'll wheel this up for 80
cents for you," he said
Millette ran painting alongside. "Ah-h,
20 droll monsieur. 1t will provide for 20
christening"
Greene stopped short. "What, an
other!" he said in pretended amazement.
'How many?" he asked briefly.
"Twenty-seven," rejoined Millette,
with i'll dissembled pride.
Greene stopped again and carefully
counted out 81 cents. Here's cent each
for your children, Millette. Don't stand
still any longer OF you'll get frost bitten.
dare not run the risk of having to pro-
vide for 81 orphans"
Millette took the money with profuse
thanks and hurried off, leaving Greene
to go on to Labelle's hotel with the huge
truck sleigh. By the time Jasper reached
the postoffice o procession gradually
formed on the sidewalk to welcome him
back from Montreal. When Lily Labelle
saw him, she came out and promptly
gave the children holiday for the rest
of the day. Then she joined him at the
head of the procession. When they
reached the veranda, the children gave
three cheers for Jasper and called for
| speech.
| He waited for the crowd to dispense
before he approached Lily, who stood
leaning against the veranda, an amused
look in her dark eyes.
'Are you glad to see meT' he asked.
Come in to dinner she said "rn
answer your Questions-some of them
Rfterward."
Mrs. Labelle greeted him with a kiss
on both checks, while her husband bow
ed with grave politeness.
Lily seated herself at the upper table.
Jasper at once took possession of Lily
and held his prize against all comers
especially the cashier of the Four Corners
bank. The latter was not easily discon-
certed, but prepared to demolish Jasper
Miller, the cashier, asked her to go for
4 sleigh ride that afternoon.
$50 sorry" drawled Jasper. Miss
I4abelle has been engaged to me for q
sleigh ride for year
Tho cashier, without waiting for re-
ply, went anyrily out.
Lily raised her eyes from her plate.
"Why are you n week before your time,
Jasper" she asked
ssrTl,nt,c +l,., ,a,,0,, -,;1 T,.-o..
eating with n fragment of inince pie on
his fork the retreat:ng form of the CASH
Ter. IF Pm only allowed one sleigh
ride year, don't sae why that fellow
should get ahead of me aild have three
week"
But your work. Jasper"
"Oh, McQuires looking after that for
me. explained to him that it was rath-
er important to clear up matters here,
aud SO l came"
Lily had not expected Eer coquetry to
become known. "I5 is so dull" she said
in eXtenuation.
Jasper commenced another mince pie.
Don't be afraid Of its being dull
willie I'm here" he said, with sublime
self confidence "You promised me one
sleigh ride year for seven years if /
wanted it, and l guess Ill take this
years today"
Lily pouted. Jasper smiled and rum
pied his yellow hair.
YOU'D better own up" he said, with
undated cheerfulness. "How soon can
you be ready"
Lily was cowed. "Oh, in half an hour, i
and ran away to get her things on.
When Lily came down arrayed in her
most becoming furs, Jasper smiled ap.
provingly. You only want some flow
ers to be perfect" he said.
Lily gave little cry. "Ah, flowers
But they are impossible"
Not at ALL" said Jasper, taking box
from his pocket. Nothing impossible
II you want it badly enough"
Lily opened the box and gave another
cry. "Orango blossoms~ she said.
Yes" answered Jasper. From Flor.
Ida People there stick the ends in po
tato to keep them fresh. Capital dodge
isn't it?'
go took out the orange blossoms, threw
away the potato and pinned them to hel
jacket.
Nov we're ready to start. Stop q
momentp and be drew her back behind
the curtain as the cashier drove past on
his way to the schoolhouse.
Lily began to laugh. "It's very wicked
Of you, Jasper"
''That will teach him to go sleighina
with my sweetheart" said Jasper calm.
ly
Lily protested: you've no right tc
say that, Jasper. only promised you 4