The Monticellonian., 1895-06-28

arms For one brief blissful second he clasped her form and her warm breath swept his cheek. Philena was annoyed but she made some laughing remark, while Gideon blushed and stammered an awkward apology.
 After the people had all arrived there was grand lot of speeehmaking, and the music of fife and drum made the woods merry between the speeches. Judge Wise read the Declaration of Independence, and commented there- on. His remarks were furiously ap- plauded, and then all joined in singing 'America
 After this they wandered about the grove, or along the shore, or gathered in groups beneath the wide-spreading trees Philena, always helpful, was amusing some of the little ones. while Gideon sat in the shade of a large oak, apparently listening to Judge Wise and Lawyer Pinch, but, in reality, watching Philena. After little while some one asked Gideon to help put up the swing When he returned Philena was nowhere in sight He busted him- self with the preparations for dinner, and after the rough tables were made he went down to feed the horses. He took the measure of oats from the wagon and placed it on the seat. He was talking to himself and did not notice that Philena sat just back of a large oak that grew by the shore. She had brought little Mary Price down to { I,, .l, f,l1 n. she lay on a shawl that Philena had spread on the ground. Philena sat by her side and dreamed of what her life might have been had Gideon loved her as she loved him. Just as she thought this she heard some one speaking. 1t was Cid con. and she supposed he was talking to some one. She sat still as he con tinued:
 "That was good speech that Judge Wise made It's d noble thing to as- sert your rights and throw off the yoke of bondage noble thing. And Et- der White talked good, too, real good. It seemed as though he meant me all the time, when he said that some re- mained in bondage all their lives, and served some habit that ruled over them like despot He said: Stand fast for liberty and freedom in all things. I'll do it. I'll make a Declaration of h. dependence this very day. I'll ask Philena Pray to marry me this very day"
 Just then there was q slight rustic at the foot of the oak and Philena looked around. She saw that Gideon was alone, and was speaking his thoughts aloud She hesitated a mo- ment, considering what she would bet tet do That moment helped her to make her decision, for she heard Cid con say:
 HI just ask her to take a walk with me, and just as soon as we are out of hearing, I'll say: I love you, Philena; will you be my wife2' And then if she refuses me she cant despise me for be- ing afraid to ask her. I'd give money if I could only have Elder White tongue for fifteen minutes, I'd say more than I've been able to say in a lifetime. I'd give good deal to know what she'll say when l tell her how long Eve loved her.
 Philena heard all this, for he was very much in earnest, and spoke quite loud. She saw it all at once, and real ized that she had been beloved all these years. She knew that if she waited for Gideon to tell her that he loved her, she would never hear it, and so she stepped out from behind the tree and said:
 You needn't get Elder Whites tongue It couldn't sound any better than it did when you said it. "
 Gideon stood spellbound while she