Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1894-06-14


her gown was a little too reckless
her manner too pronounced. He
found himself watching through the
dancers for a glimpse of slim. airy
form, in soft little white dress.
ut was so good of you to send Jes-
sic the flowers" declared Miss
Madelle. 81 assure you," with an
arch smile, ''for moment l felt
almost jealous" He smiled, but did
not speak.
The next morning he went down in
the wood in search of jamie. He
found the boy in his favorite nook,
under spreading maple.
"Well," he began, ''you made a fine
mistake yesterday, amie.'
The lad looked quickly up. "a
mistake, sir?"
'Yes. 1 told you to present those
flowers to the pretty Miss Madelle.
You gave them to her sister"
81 gave them to the pretty Miss
Madelle," insisted Jamie, sturdily.
"You gave them to Miss JESSIE
''Of course. You didn't mean me to
Gwynne laughed out at Jamie's in
dignant query. 81 did, indeed"
The boy was sorrowfully silent for
while. Then he spoke. 81 wish it
! was Miss Jessie. l can't help think
ing of how, few days after l got
here, was walking along the road
when the dark one came driving
along in her pony carriage. Look
outp cried Miss Jessie, who was with
her, you will drive over the boy!'
Let him look out" answered the
other. What if there were one beg
gar the less?"
SEQ on" commanded the squire, in
low voice.
II don't know anything more
| against her, but / do know heap
more in favor of Miss Jessie. Who,
when old Mrs. Myers fell and broke
her arm, went every day and did up
her bit of work for her until she was
able to help herself? Who wrote to
the governor when Jane Sanders boy
was given heavy sentence for bit
of youthful lark, and got him par
doned? Who went down to Doxly
mines, when the accident happened
there, and got the neglected children
together, and washed and ted, and
minded them while their mothers
were moaning at the shaft? Miss Jes-
sic, sir-that slip!''
"Ah," commented Gwynne billiard
gravely, and went away. That even
ing he called at Rockhaven. Henri
| eta was most smiling and gracious.
He asked for Jessie.
eve sent her up to the city this
morning." was the reply. "To be
confidential we are anxious to break
up the affair between her and that
wild young Murray. You must have
noticed how outrageously she firted
with him last evening""
"No," returned Gwynne, some what
shortly, 81 cannot say 1 noticed any,
thing of the sort. 1 shall be in the
city in a few days. Can you give me
her address,"
sob, don't" in hesitating confusion,
don't ask it-please!"
She paused in apparent perplexity.
"Why not?" he demanded, bluntly.
'I-I am afraid she might act rude
ly. She is SO young and uniformed,
she expresses her prejudices openly.
And she has always had most unac-
countable aversion
She broke off entreatingly.
ITO me?" he questioned, steadily.
'Oh, it is absurd, of courser' she
prevaricated.
Gwynne billiard went up to
the city. He searched assid-
uously among the mutual friends of
the Madelles and himself, but could
learn nothing of Jessie's whereabouts
And on the very Cay he walked
down to the depot, to take the train
for home, wondering if he were not a
fool for his pains, Fate interfered in
his behalf in the most abrupt and de-
lightful manner imagina BILE. Three
plainly dressed shop-girls passed him
on their way to lunch. One-a slim
little fair haired creature, he instant =
ly recognized.
''Miss Jessie!" he exclaimed, lifting
his hat.
II have been hoping to meet you
among our friends" Gwynna said
"but none knew of your wherea oohts. :"
GIVE been staying with my old
nurse, Diane, and working in milli-
merry store. Henrietta told me how
hard-up poor papa was, and that it
was necessary should work for my
living, but that no one at home-only
she-must know. You will not tell,
I'm sure, Mr.. billiard"
His eyes grew moist as he gazed
down on the pale, plain, earnest little
face. The squire did not go back. to
his luxurious home that day. He saw
Jessie repeatedly during the few
weeks that followed, and he marveled
at his former blindness.
Jessie" he said one day, "Tve
grown very fond of you, dear. But
I'm afraid to speak my heart out,
when recollect what Henrietta said
of your dislike of me-"
"Oh," cried Jessie, Ibid she say
that? She knew better-she knew"
"Knew what?" he insisted quizzic-
ally.