The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-09-17

some OF tue northern resorts, ana ne
had already overstayed bis time in
Chicago. SO one morning he took his
seat in the sleeper Of n through ex-
press, feeling, bitterly, that he had
lost the happiness of his life, perhaps,
| through his own carelessness. Just as
the train pulled out, two ladies entered
and took the section next to his.
Strong man as he was, the blood rushed
TO his face and his heart leaped with
Joy as he recognized Neva Hildreth
and her sister. He would lose no
more opportunities. He went TO them
at once, and was cordially received by
both ladies. He, soon learned that
their destination was the same % his
own, and could hardly conceal his ex.
ultatien as he thought of the long day
before him, which he resolved to make
the most Of. Like q wise man, he first
tried to converse with Mrs. Ward,
but she seemed so surprised at his
ignorance of many exhibits which in.
terested her, ana SO overpowered him
with her knowledge. that he was most
thankful when she buried herself in
q magazine and let him at liberty TO
talk to her sister. He found Miss
Neva a most charming travelling com.
panion, and managed to spend most oi
the day by her side. He found that
their plans for the week coincided
with his own--strange to say-and as
they drew near their destination he
boldly asked permission to accompany
them on their excursion to Mime
tonks. Mrs. Ward looked her sur.
prise, but she could only murmur
something about "very kind" which
the Californian coolly took for con.
sent and proceeded to arrange for
their meeting and to make suggestions
as TO ways and means in the most mat
ter.of.iact way possible.
That night Mrs. Ward subjected her
younger sister to cross.examination,
which she closed by declaring emphat.
ically:
"Well, / should think you would
want to know something about that
young man before You gave him any
more encouragement !"
al encourage him?" asked Miss
Neya, inuocently; "why, you told him
he might CO."
1t was perfect summer day that
they spent upon the beautiful sheet of
water with its musical Indian name.
Maxon had fully determined to put
his fate to the test, brief as had been
their acquaintance, but the day passed
and no favorable opportunity came.
Mrs Ward SCENE to have awakened
to her duties as chaperone, and Miss
Hildreth's own frank, friendly manner
discouraged him even more.
They stopped at the same hotel, and
Maxon spent much OF his time with
them for several days still his courage
failed him, and he resolved more than
once to go away, for Miss Neva would
never look upon him as anything more
than friend, at best. His time was
limited and the last day of his stay
arrived.
They spent the day in making
longer excursion than usual, and
Maxon had decided that be must put
a question and receive an answer that
day. come what would. But Mrs.
Ward seemed to divine his attention.
There was no escaping her vigilance,
and it was not until they entered the
crowded car to return to the city that
he managed to place her in one seat
while he found another for Neva and
himself Even thon he found il
hard to begin, and the precious mo-
ments slipped by. At last he asked
abruptly:
"Do you remember our first meet.
ing, Miss Hildreth?"
"Of course" she answered, with o
smile.
"And did you think me rude to
stare at you so? TO tell the truth. ]
thought you were o 'winsome wee las.
sic indeed"
"Ah, did youY she murmurel Just
glanciug up at him.
"My love is but lassie.
winsome wee lasse, She"
he repeated, softly; "and-" desper.
ately, "you are the lassie, Neva.
Baggage, sir? Checked to all parts
of the city" And bunch of checks
were jingled in his face. Before he
could recover himself Mrs. Ward came
to asked q question and then they
| were rolllnS INTO Tue cltV uepot.
"Aliss Neva, he spoke hurriedly, 81
must leave for home in the morning,
unless you say stay"
"Why," was the response, "must
You go? We shall miss you!"
81 must go, he answered; ~ have
overstayed my time already"
They were in the aisle now, and as
they struggled along, pushed and
iostled by tho impatient throug. he
spoke once more
"Shall go or stay, Neva?"
There was no reply, and his heart
sank.
"Pd no business to spring it on her
like this" he thought "Pve offended
her now, and no wonder-fool that
am !"
He saw the ladies to carriage, and