Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-08-31
garden surrounding the tenants

] OOAAoENs
The days work had been finish
ed and the faint shadows suggest
ed the approach of twilight. Ella
Stratton, with meek, domure face,
was standing before him.
81 feel that I have become so
much better this summer" she said.
'You know why; You have been
so good to me and taught me so
much.D
"YOu should not say that, for it
might make me vain. Such a sin
should not come to one at my age"
"Why, you are not old, Mr.. Cox"
There was thrill Of pleasure In
the sturdy frame, and 1t seemed to
strengthen him more erectly than
ever.
"Then my elrand here will be
made easier for me-. Ye know
that l have come here for purpose.
Ye have guessed it?"
ayes, Mr.. Cox, l have" was the
quick reply, while the face flush
ed beautifully.
This must be the way of the
world, he thought, for the girl to
make such advances. it was 20
different In the community.
81 would have spoken to thee
before, but | wished to know
thee better. That's why Pve spent
so many hours at this fence talk.
ing to thee"
"Oh, how kind of yCu. | wanted
to know You better, too. | thou slt
probably you would dislike me. l
WIS so different from yOu-and
wicked"
"But yc are learning our ways,
and ye are apt. Ye can be very
good, ANA there is nothing like.
having a PROTECTOR
"And such a good prot, ctar as
shall" she said with IA look of
admiration at HIN.
"Ye are Kind to say so. Tde
COxes have always been good TO
their wives and families
81 know that, for they are So
goOi to every one now. love
them; believe that l love the
whole family. | never enjoyed
summer so much as this one in
Hill sboro."
it was graceful for her to say it,.
He felt that she made his wcing
easy.
How remarkable that she had
diviDed his feelings all along!
"Theu ye think that | will suij
theen be asked, i'll a voice thA.was
almost raiilery. aye have stadlel
me enough at the feucel'
Yes; | know | shall like yon; |
knewit from Tho first. Everybody
thonght that yop were so cold aud
stern that you conldu'U love any
one, but knew differently. | liked
you then, AMI now IIova y1I.'
SIe kissed his brawpy hard i'm
pulsively, her warm lbs sending Il
q ,liciOus thrill through hin.
This vas not anold mans court.
ing, bat Young wom4n's, and,
though strange to Brother Cox, 1t
had a sweetness that drowned any
thoughts Of wrong.
FLUSHED with hi' SIcs'S, he
felt that he could be palmer, and
he continue |, "Ye know I'm strict
in my living not approving frail-
ties and gay lifr. That shOlld
repel thee
"OI, no! Jack told me all aboIt
that at first. He said yOn were
stlct, but thai you had loving
heart beneath it all. II, always
got along we'll with iou and h.
knew shat would"
Jach, J,ck! HUI re Known Of 1t
all! Had lie been putting her up
TO this strange wOoing, laughing
in his sleeve at nia uDc ~ senti-
m3nN
The girl continued rapidly. ale
wanted to speak TO yon tir't ant
tell you all. lie knew thlt You
would dsaprOve of our match, nut J
told him not to tell you. | woult
first win your friendship ana then
your love. | would meet you every
day, and if [ could make You Xix"
me by autumn, then he conld tell
you. | didn't know as / cOnld
marry him if you didn't give
your consent, bat when | foam |
how nice and COOL you werc | f Il
that it was all right"
\ shadow seemed to settle OvcI
the landscape. Escri thing ap
peared dark. Night must be ap-
preaching, aud a mans eyes al
fifty are not quito as good as al
twenty-five.
Brother Cox heard the voice OF
tho otrl hutit all seampd an SfrAu q.