The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-06-25

TAM D\\ from their even
)Sn O& ing ride. The tall
Mw IllUh white chimneys of
Nv" MJ Milly's house we're
\S~%zZ Just cleaning into
~-z--. sight above the
distant trees. and Mr.. Annesley, see
ing them, had said:
"Let us lengthen out the few min
utes that remain to us, Milly-the
evening is so fine !"
The sound OF horses feet, rapidly
approaching them from the point they
were seeking, caused both TO look up
IN that direction. A gentleman,
mounted upon gray horse, came
galloping down the road. Perceiving
them, he slightly moderated his pace.
at is Captain Dudley" said Milly.
"Yes," said Mr.. Annesley, thought
fully, al see it is. He has been up at
the house probably"
Captain Dudley was the sou Of
neighbor of Milly's father, a young,
handsome and somewhat foppish per-
son, whom Milly did not at all admire,
but who nevertheless admired her sim
cerely, and who had been of late n
somewhat frequent visitor at the
house.
As the parties approached each
other, Mr.. Annesley, whom bis neigh
boris rivalry did not trouble, bowed
quietly to the young man; piece Of
courtesy which Captain Dudley re.
ceived with silent and ceremonious
inclination of the head, followed by n
much lower one, marked by an air of
deierential and admiring gallantry, to
Miss Clara, while he gradually drew
his horse mp almost to dead stop.
Milly, ON her part, merely saluted
him good.naturedly, and kept on be-
sido Mr.. Annesley; and both shortly
forgot him in their conversation with
each other.
The hour they had passed together
seemed hardly half that time, as Miss
Clare's companion lifted her from her
horse. Mt the door. or reaching her
home. He r." Cept"eyille,
that he had taken, wpiie they asceLol
the broad flight of stone steps to.
gether.
chilly" he said in low voice,
''this has not been the least delightful
of the many happy rides we have
taken together. Will you promise me
one rs pleasant Tomorrow"
His voice had tone, his eloquent,
deep blue eyes, seeking hers, a glance
OF tenderness, that thrilled her heart
with delicious emotion.
'If-you care for it, Mr.. Annesley,"
che said, while her heart beat fast and
tumultuously. and her voice, lower
than his own, slightly trembled.
II must he gone, Mllly, now" he
said, standing beside her Mt the win
dow; 81 must be gone now. But to-
morrow" he held out his hand-"to-
morrow l shall seek you again; and
we shall have our evening ride to-
gether"
Milly laid her hand timidly in his,
with downcast eyes, and replied !:
eyes, Mr.. Annesley."
Good evening. then"
"Good evening"" she answered, with
n smile.
She returned to the parlor, and
sinking into deep armchair, with the
heavy folds of her habit still trailing
about her, lapsed into thought-happy
thought-for half smile was on her
/ lips, aud her cheek still flushed softly,
and her brown eyes wore u pleasant
| light.
( But she reused herself presently.
and breaking from her reverie, rose
/ from her seat, with a look of remem-
brance crossing her face, and the
smile gradually dying away, blended
with half look OF curiosity, half oil
| annoyance.
"lhat letter John gave me just now
i wonder what can be in it - she
said to herself.
And going to small table beside
the window at which she had lately
stood, she took up letter lying
there.
1t contained an offer OF the heart
and hand of the very elegant and ex-
eessively superfine Captain Dudley.
Milly's lip slightly curled, with q
mingled ridicule and impatience.
/ Twisting the note heedlessly in her
fingers, she gathered up her hat and
gloves that were left lying on the win
dow seat, and leaving the parlor went
up stairs to her own apartment.
With her eyes still fixed on the
note, long after the last word wal
read, Milly became lost in her old
reverie. Gradually her hand sunk
upon her lap-the paper, unnoticed
uncared for, fell ON the floor. Th,
clash of the garden gate, opening ant
closing, was the only thing tha
reused her, at least. She heard hel
fathers step below heard him going
/ from room to room, and finally call
ing "Milly, my darling, where are
you?'
Rising with light, half-happy
half.regretful sigh, she left her room
and went down stars to meet he
futhar The praat clock in tho hal