The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-04-04


thought that she had asked me of her
own accord; and the vision of my
rival, which was ever before me, grew
less. SO we set out along the dusty
road, she trim, co1l figure in her
holland frock, with glad look on her
face which it did my heart good to see.
'What lovely old place this is"
she remarked, as we went down the
long avenue of ancient elms which led
to the lodge gate. at quite comes
up to my idea of ancestral halls
with turrets and moat, too. 1t does
look old--doesn't il? And everything
is so beautifully kept They seem to
have quite a retinue of servants, and
they're as old "a can he. suppose
they take wages, but I expect they
would be very much surprised il aunt
gave any OF them notice. IL seems so
funny to me, for with us six months
IS generally the length of their stay"
So she ratified on, losing good
deal of the slight stiffness with which
| she had hitherto addressed me, and
making me forget that the fact of her
presence rendered my walk into the
! town u fruitlcss one. However, when
we reached l. she stopped abruptly.
''Now, Mr.. Lowndes, I've got some
shopping to do, and you won't want
to be hanging about after me, 30 we'll
| just go our own ways, and meet, here,
at this corner, at IL, if that will do?"
"Very well, | said. hoped not too
eagerly, and we parted.
| did not know my way about the
place at all, but when driving through
from the station on my arrival | had
noticed some of the shops, among
them tobacconist's and confection-
er's. There were several objects of
interest in the town, and so this latter
shop was well provided with little
tables ut which the trippers lunched
and had tea. found my way into it,
and though it was early for refresh.
mGnt the walk had been hot one,
and / passed into the inner room
wncre they attended to my wants. |
had been there about half an hour
when ! threw down the local paper
which / had been studying, and after
paying my bill passed into the outer
shop. There, facing the counter,
which Mt this early hour was rather
empty, stood Dorothy Knighton.
1--WE had three buns and glass of
milk, she was saying; and then she
| gave n tremendous start when she
/ heard my voice. 81 didn't see YOU
pass, " she went on. 81 suppose you
saw me through the window" u
speech which convinced me that she
was unaware that / had been so near
| her all the time. She took her change,
and we stepped ont onto the pave
ment together. But here she again
dismissed me.
1--WE still got some more shopping
to do, she said, and she walked of.
| This was II little abrupt, / thought,
but my feelings were mixed, aud 30 /
let her go and strolled off down side
street. | bought some tobacco, and
walked on till l found a grocer's shop.
1t was poky little plaee--b no means
the best IN the town, should imagine,
but 1T would answer my purpose, at
least, / hoped SO, and | entered-but
there again stood Dorothy, holding in
her hand n biscuit from which she
had just bitten a nice little half
moon.
"Yes. these will do, thank YOU
Three pounds, please" And as she
said this she turned and saw me. 1t
Was too late to draw baok, and / was
glad | had not done so when saw
how the pretty color flashed into her
face at the sight of me; yet ] had II
feeling that she was not quite pleased.
ooh, Mr.. Lowndcs :" she exclaimed.
"What do you want?"
"Somc biscuits, stammorcl t,
"lor- the dog.
For Tib! How kind Of you'll but
I'm getting some, 50 he won't want
both lots, will he? Besides, they'll! be
such Il bother to carry--oh, yes, I'll
take them with me, pleusc," she added,
quickly, to the shopman.
"l'll carry them, said, quite as
quickly, and tho matter was settled
thus. But are you coing now?'
asked. cit is only II o'clock. Haven't
you any more shopping to do?"
''No," she laughed, Il have got all
/ want, thank you.
| had not; however, couldn't say
so, or keep her waiting about, so |
turned homeYard without another
word. How merry she was. She
didn't seem to have Il thought or care
in the world. She was evidently
thoroughly enjoying her walk, and
her hig II spirits so infected me that
shook my fist, metaphoricIlly, at my
unknown rival, and felt that | wa,
gaining ground. With such hope
before me, there was much ] could
endure for her sake We drawlled 50
much on tho way home that il VA.
nearly lunch time when we reached
the house. Hernunt's voice was heard
calling her, aud Dolie sped away,
leaving me with the. bag OF biscuits.
put them down on side table in the
hail. and went M to my room.
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