Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-06


falls and curlcd In eddies round large
smooth pebbles. The morning sun struck
aslant through the willows, and patches
Of blue sky beamed up from the depths oi
the shallow water. Miranda stepped upon
the frail bridge and leaned over the hand
rail. The mirror below her was full oi
waving shadows and gray light. The
stream trfcklod ooolly In that secluded
dell, and Miranda's face was flushed and
hot with her haste. The breeze went soft
ly through the tresses of her hair. Miriam.
da glanced along the shelving banks to
where q grassy knoll jutted forth upon a
corner OF the brook. Sho left tho bridge,
and walking to the spot looked down upon
the water. The dell was silent.
Her eyes few swiftly this way and that
in furtive diffidence, and then, fast as q
fash, she slipped her shoes from under
her feet and flung her hosen down, and
dropping upon the knoll dabbled her white
feet In the current. The water washed
about her ankles gently, and she watched
the curves In her high arches dissolve and
change and waver in the eddies. How
translucent was the streaml How still
and sweet the airl She bent forward and
regarded her face in the deep pool. Sud
denly, and with little gasp OF terror, she
found the earth slipping from her. She
threw herself back and clutched wildly at
the grass. She felt the water creeping
above her ankles. A cry escaped her, and
on the next instant two hands were clasp
ed beneath her arms and she was swiftly
drawn into safety and laid high upon the
grass upon her back. Miranda sat up,
and looking round met the bashful eyes
Of youth. At once his gaze dropped, and
he fumbled his hands together, shifting
from foot to foot.
II beg your pardon" said he; "but
you"-
"Oh. you are very kind, )" said Miranda
earnestly. II thank you, sir. Another
moment and had been LOST
1T is but shallow" he mumbled, snlil-
ing. and bit his nail.
Miranda laughed awkwardly. "Oh,
but thank you, sirl" she said. "You are
very good"
Twas but my duty" he stammered
Amy one would have done more for you, )"
he added. blushing.
Miranda's gaze went down her gown,
and hastily she plucked her bare feet un-
der her skirt. There fell long silence,
during which he fidgeted with the stalks
Of the bracken, and Miranda beat her fn-
gers impatiently upon her knee.
"Heavensl Will the man never speak or
go?" thought Miranda. 1.-The sun shines
bright, and the birds sing sweet" says
she. "We shall soon be In full spring."
Very bright, said he, starting. very
sweet" he added, "and twill fain by
nightfall," he ventured, cooking his eye at
the sky.
"'Ahl' said Miranda, tanning herself
with her hat.
Again pause ensued. The young man
shuffled on his feet. He whistled gently.
Miranda yawned and drummed her fin
gers faster on her knee. She gave little
cough.
II fear," he suffered, ''you will grow
cold upon the moist slope. The sun has
little power upon the dews within this
shade. II might beg'-
Approaching, he held out vague hand.
Miranda shut her mouth with snap.
II thank you," she said, with scorn,
"but the dew delights me. / am never
content save upon damp grass
Il crave your pardon, he besought
her.
"I-I-fancied'-
Il hate fool" quoth Miranda to her.
self In anger.
His eyes wandered to the stream.
why, there are your Shoes" says he,
Frightening, land your hosen. Pray
He made hasty movement forward.
II beg you will be at no trouble for
me-" cried Miranda, flaming. Suffer
me at least, pray you, the liberty to dis
pose of my own apparel. / am no child
at nurse"
He drew back, red and frightened, and
Miranda, breathless, curled her feet closer
beneath her gown. He watched her face
askance. She bit her lips.
HE is only fool, but hate fool"
said she.
Miranda sighed. He glanced at her
anxiously.
And you think it will rains" she ask.
"Ill swear it will" he cried eagerly
and waited, open mouthed, upon her con.
descension.
II wonder, said Miranda thoughtfully.
But the sky is red, he painted.
II have my doubts, said Miranda sage
ly, shaking her head. "Tho wood OBJ
scures the heaven. How is it possible to
tells"
"Indeed''-- he began.
Nay, she interrupted, but from the
cornfield yonder you could descry with
certainty, and should be reassured."
Il can see the cornfield through the
trees" he answered, land the sun shines
red above the hedges
Miranda shrugged her shoulders petu-
lantly.
"What sound was thatp" she said.
Surely some animal. hate cow" she
exclaimed. "Oh, sir, pray run and see!'
" 'Tis no cow" he replied stolidly II
know the fields by heart, and there is new
er COW within two miles"
There is many fool" said Miranda
bitterly.
AYE, to be sure, he assented gravely,
land many a sinner, moreover" he added
thoughtfully.
II think prefer q sinner" said Miriam.
da vebemently.
''The sinner for me, too" he agreed
cheerfully.
Mirandaput out her tongue at the grass.
Illv ba brnto tbo hor rfr - .;t,.o. 1t