Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-10-13

D
great, deep lounging chair near the
window covered with the same cool
stuff and the table with its snowy COW
ering.
The dear old motherly lady sits on
one side, the pleasant-faced farmer op-
posite, and down at the other end a
bright face with rosy cheeks an
roguish eyes. Yes, [ am sure L shall
enjoy my holiday. How delicious the
crisp rolls, yellow butter and thick
cream were. Why cannot such things
be found in the city?
eve alwaysgo to the meeting house
every Sunday, Mr.. Lauton, said Mrs
Perkins, "and if you would like to go
with MS we should like it right well.
look at pretty Hazel and make up
nv mind to go. Ye gods What a
sermon that old man did give Us. Two
hours and a quarter by my watch did
he preach.
Poor old man. How sorry felt for
him as he wiped the perspiration from
his face and thundered forth again.
Tho sermon was about Abraham and
Isaac. and 1 will be honest and say
that in spite of the length of his dis
course the simple old man drew tears
from the congregation as he pictured
the sublime faith of Abraham and his
trust in his God.
I declined the ride home in the old
carrv-all and strolled homeward, mind
ful of Mr.. Perkins's last instruction
"Mind you're back in time for dinner.
We don't have but two meals on Sun
dav. should have liked Miss Hazel S
company, but 1 fear it is too soon.
She might have refused.
So the happy care-free days go on.
1t does not take long for Hazel and
me to beconme the best of friends.
Such walks as we take; Hazel, with
her big red Irish setter, and myself
We fish, not in the shallow brook that
runs through the meadow, but further
down. where the little brook has
widened into quite a stream.
When have been there about three
weeks Uncle Lauton comes down and
develops as much activity as myself
He does not seem to know what fatigue
means and tramps in all directions.
Instead of staying two days he stays a
week. and leaves in the best Of spirits.
"Tll be down again before YOU come
home" are his parting words as the
train starts.
Yes. he does come. He comes every
friday and stays until Monday or
Tuesday. How he enjoys it. 1t does
me good to watch him. One morning
Hazel "Witch Hazel" I have chris
tened herr and I go out for stroll.
She carries book of poems under
ber arm and | know where we shall
stop. There is a grassy seat under the
willows and near the Witch's ford, as
Hazel calls the stepping stones.
Witch Hazel throws her broad
brimmed hat on the grass and opening
the book hands it to me. l always do
the reading while she pulls the clover
heads and listens silently. To-day she
has handed me Tennyson, open at those
mournful verses, some of the most
beautiful lines ever written, l think:
Break, break, break.
On thy cold, gray stones, o sea
And would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me-
1 look up and say; Hazel, L love
you" She springs to her feet.
'Mr. Lauton!"
Indeed l do, Hazel, as l rise from
my place at her feet.
At this she retreats or rather at
tempts it, but am in the way and she
turns to the Witch's ford. The stones
are slippery from recent rains. She is
trembling and slips when in the mid
die. OF course she could not drown,
but she could soil the dainty muslin
dress and spoil the pretty slippers, so
/ take her in my arms and carry her
back She struggles to free herself,
but l will not let her 60 until she an
swers me.
Finally she gives in and says:
Il do love you, Harry. Therel Do
that satisfy you, you silly boy?" with
a wondrously tender look from the
bright brown eyes.
The next day finds us at the same
place, and as we throw ourselves on
the bank, she with her head on Maps
neck, she says:
Harry, where will we live when We
are married?"
start. Married I see 1 have a
hard task before me. She does not
seem to understand that this is merely
a summer pastime. Howignorant these
country girls are.
"My dear little girl, putting my arm
around her, "why look forward to the
morrow? Let it take care of itself. "
eyes; but we will be married some
day, you know
Listen, Hazel" say gravely. 81
am in no position to marry now. Lei
us love each other this summer. We
will enjoy every minute of the time