Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1895-07-02

arms. For one brief blissful second
he ciasped her form and her warm
breath swept his cheek. Phiiena was
annoyed, but she made some laughing
remark, while Gideon biushed and
stammered an awkward apology.
After the people had ali arrived there
was grand iot Of speechmaking, and
the music of Afe and drum made tho
woods merry between the speeches
Judge Wise read the Declaration Of
Independence, and commented there
on. His remarks were furiously APP
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 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. Hc 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 oil oats from the
wagon and placed IL 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
the shore. and she had fallen asleep as
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 Gid
con, and she supposed he was talking
to some one. She sat still as he con-
tinued:
That was a good speech that Judge
Wise made. It's a noble thing to as
sert Your rights and throw off the yoke
of bondage. A noble thing. And FL
der White talked good, too, real good.
1t seemed as though he meant me all
the time, when he said that some re-
NAMED 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 Declaration of In.
dependence this very day. I'll ask
Philena Pray to marry me this very
day."
Just then there was 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 mo-
ment, considering what she would bet
tet do. That moment helped her to
make her decision, for she heard Gid
con say:
In just ask her to take walk with
Inc, and just as soon as we are out of
hearing, I'll say: Il love you, Philena;
will you be my wife?' And then if she
refuses me she can't despise me for be-
ing afraid to ask her. I'd give money
II ! could only have Elder Whites
tongue for fifteen minutes. I'd say
more than I've been able to say in -
lifetime. I'd give good deal to know
what she'll say when tell her how
long I've loved her."
Philena heard all this, for he was
very much in earnest, and spoke quite
loud. She saw 1t all at once, and real
lied 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
than it did when you said it"
Gideon stood spellbound while she