The Monticellonian., 1895-06-28

that he had made blunder, and 1t confused him more and more. He ] took off his hat, and furiously mopped 1 his perspiring brow, and then said:
 "I left something at the church last night and l was going after 1t" | Poor Gideon! He was so worked up | by this time that hc could not think of | another word to say, and he pulled his hat over his eyes, and abruptly walked away. Philena did not speak her thoughts aloud, if she had she would ] have said: II guess he did leave some thing, he left his bruins if he's got any, for he didn't have any this morning. 1 wonder If he expects me 10 offer myself ! to him. If l should, he'd get as red as a lobster and say: It's of no account. Please don't discommode yourself, Miss Philena.
 She cast look of scorn after him, and then went about her work.
 Gideon went on his way, angry with himself for his blunder. I'd kick my self if I could. I'd lgt soD,ethinq dt i He etHreh. Wasn't that bright 1 speech? You're an idiot. Gideon Bright. /" 1 He turned about and walked back fully determined to go straight to 1 Philena. He walked slowly by the house, but he did not see Phlena His courage, as usual, left him at the last moment, and he walked homeward; and when he was once more in his little shop, his face wore a despairing look as he said:
 Gideon Bright you've let the chance l of gtf hrr she'd have you now anyway
 Philena saw him when he came back, and she really hoped that he would come Tn. but she was disappointed, and as he walked slowly by, she thought
 'I don't believe he cares anything for me. I'm glad gave him the nit ten last night before all the folks HI see that he don't get the chance to pay me.
 True to her resolution, she avoided Gideon, merely speaking in na civil way when she passed him in the street or met him at a friends house.
 Year after year went swiftly by, and still Philena did not marry. This was her own choice, for several worthy men had sought her hand Try as she Nph4I AO BlAb lllILi puN VI iANI lAtlltRf IitG face of Gideon Bright haunted her dreams, and she would softly sigh:
 If he only had the least bit of gtmptioi.n
 Gideon still loved Phllena with all his heart and fondly hoped seme day to win her He lived in the rooms oyer his barber shop, and took his meals at Dame Cations, who lived next door Being SO much alone, he got more in the habit of talking to himself, and Philena was generally the subject of his conversation.
 At the time my story opens, Gideon was forty-two years old, and Philena was thirty-eight
 After Gideon had trimmed Deacon Hempers beard, he accompanied him to the door, and as they stood there in the sunshine talking in a gossipv, ncighborly way, young Serene Temper came along. He was going to have q picnic on the Fourth of July in their grove, three miles from the village. He wished Gideon to attend.
 Gideon could talk well enough when he was with the men, and he said
 'Td like to go. I'd enjoy it real well. It's long time since attended pie nic But then-it's no use thinking about it. I'd just be an odd one among you
 "oh, don't talk that way. We're all going in big wagon, and we mean to have a jolly time
 Gideon consented to go, and they walked on and he returned to his little shop. He longed to go and invite