The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-07-16
Copyright, 1894, by the Author.

X
The long days slipped by. To some of
those who were watching and waiting at
Herndon Wood they seemed to go slowly;
to others swiftly; but to all serenely. The
august presence of summer touched all
things. Her splendid garments shimmered
in the skies and nestled i'll the leaves of
the trees The corn mustered it's plumed
battalions and waved it's green sabers in
the breeze. Long lines of midges maneu-
vered in the air. Out of the depths of
the woods came the morris dancers, waver-
ing and balancing in the sunshine.
At night the ebb tide of the west wind
came flowing in and filed the dark woods,
and from these cool depths there issued
forth two strange sounds that belong to
silence, the long, long signs that nature
draws, the clash Of doubt and fear and ex-
pectation against the all-absorbng shadows
and far away-beyond the vanished horizon,
beyond the earth itsef-the Willis Whistlers,
calling, calling.
To Otis Maxwell the days were golden
and the nights were full of delight. When
the sun threw the shadows of the trees far
to the eastward he walked with Ethel
Herndon down the long avenue and out
on Meadow hill and back in the twilight.
Sometimes General Herndon would go with
them. and sometimes Susy Beasley; but
whether one or the other the two young
people found plenty of opportunities TO be
alone together. and at such times they
seemed be happiest.
General Herndon watched the two young
people sereuely If he knew what was
likely to be going on under such circun1-
stances. he gave no sign. He was very
fond Of the young man. He found IN otS
Maxwell all the practical clements that are
at once the essence and substance OF modern
business methods-the sense of alertness, an
intuitive grasp and comprehension OF the
large movements that were getting ready
to exhibit themselves, an optimistic Nlgor
and energy that had already OWNED anu
were eager to take = leading part III tfle
new industrial development that was pre-
parine to shake and brel 4 the shackeS OF
sectionalism III this active-minaed and
modern young man General Herndon found
something practical to contemplate. some
thing substantial to lean upon. lie stud
led and sounded him He went INTO pom
ties with his guest. He uiscoursed on the
constitutions the rights of man and the soy
ereigrty of the states, threshing over the
old straw of controversy. ON mis- side
Otis Maxwell spread out before the eyes OF
his fathers old friend an aIlurlnS picture
of the results that would follow the deNeI-
oDment of the material resources OF th5
south and of the tremendous lnduSiflaI
,,r.,-,.a.- t.iat would be made when 5eeticil-
aIiern had been permitted TO burn ltSe-i out.
But suddenly in an instant II seemed 20
Otis Maxwell the whole face OF nature n'I
cbanaad The long walks with Lthel
Herndon ceased The general was ready as
ever 10 ioin these little excursions ana ne
even asked his daughter to 60 put she
rnanased to find some excuse oHe Jay -
was a headache. another the pea OIL la'lSue
and this continued until OTIS AaAWcIl rear
led that Ethel was avoiding him. she was
not less gracious, not less allurinsly gentle
but she eluied him. She was less FRANK
in her manner and more serious
The mystery Numbered at the door OF
Otis Maxwclrs mind for an explanation
but he could not satisfy it. And yet II was
perfectly simple If he had tried TO explain
II with his head instead of his heart the
solution would have been plain. 1t was
plain, for instance. to Susy, who had many
= laugh at Ethel on account Of il. Susy
would look at Ethel with a peculiar eX-
preston, ana then turn away laughing.
''Susy. what are you laughing at?' Ethel
asked one day, with some display of irrita-
ton Am / "a comic character? Is there
anything wrong about me?'
"Oh, don't look that way" cried Susy,
LAUGHING more than ever. Don't! ! just
can't stand it. Oh / shall have to go home!
My sides have been aching for a week.
Please Ethel don't look that way"
Nonsense, Susy! What have l done?
What is the matter with me? DO you
think it is pleasant TO be laughed at, and
to your face, too?"
Ethel Herndonr' gasped Susy when she
had laughed until she could laugh no more.
How can NOu-oh, now can you De SO
rdiculous%'
Ethel thought the matter over while she
pulled a rose to pieces. Then she suddenly
turned to Susy. a little froWn on her face.
''Susy you are in lOVe?"
Susy had been getting ready to renew her
laughter, bur now she grew serious. Her
head dropped, ana she picked up her dress.
''Why. of course, l am" she said finally.
THAT is l reckon l am"
How does it feel to be in love?" asked
Ethel.
Don't you know, chid?'
Susys tone was that of an elderly lady