The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-09
BEGUN AND ENDED.

was a good-looking lad; 20 his untold sat
i~sfaction turned twenty years of age; tall.
if rather lanky: and fair. with bright blue
eyes. His walk was irregular. and as he
reached the big stone ~which-with the lit
tie wood on the Ecclesbourne side of Fair
ught-he was taking as his boundary mark,
he stopped. and shading his eyes with his
hand. gazod earnestly down the narrow
ziGzag track that led back to Hastings.
No one was in sight, however. and with a
short exclamation. the boy turned back,
pulling his mustache vexedly, but even in
his annoyance pulling it with a considerable
regard for it's budding youth.
Another ten minutes restless pacing and
his gaze Hastingward was rewarded by the
sight of a little figure in pale blue. with
a sailor hat perched on her sunny curls.
The girl came hurriedly on and when with
in a short distance of him ran forward,
with flushing cheeks and shining eyes.
Dick, dear Dick she cried pantingly.
The boy had thrown off his straw hat and
the two kissed each other, after A careful
glance all round from the girl which re-
vealed the satisfying fact that there was
no one in sight. Then she tucked her hand,
with dignity. inside her companions arm.
and they entered the little wood, and sat
down recklessly on two very damp and
messy tree stumps.
Now, Nellie. darling" he said, slipping
his arm round her waist, 81 want you to be
brave, dear, because L haven't got very nice
news
The girl pushed herself a little further
off, and looked up at him with evident
alarm.
Mr.. Herring ACKNOWLEDGMENT still mean
TO send you out to your brothers Canadian
farms does be9'' shp faIfarad
Yes, he Goes. gloomily.
Away from-me, Dick? Did you tell him
we're engaged?" with a momentary CLEAN
of pride.
Yes, darling, and he said"
The young fellow paused, his brows
drawn together with increasing gloom, and
again ne pulled viciously at his mustache.
There was no more joy for him in life, but
he did wish that downy adornment were a
little longer. At the present stage. it was
difficult to pull effectively, and Nell was
there.
What did he say, Dick, dear?' slipping
her little hand into his.
He said-oh, Nell, I never thought before
that the governor could be so hard! 1
told him was in love for always, and he
said ! needn't mind. because however bad
! felt, 7 should soon get over it,"
The lads blue eyes flashed with very gem
uine anger. and he dug his walking stick
into the soil at the imminent peril of snap
ping it.
Nelrs little hand clenched.
III never, never speak to him again"
she cried. Il shouldn't have believed it
of him! It just shows you never know!
on, Dick!'
The last words were very fearful, and
Dick Herring put his arm around her again
with a feeling of desperation against the
world in general.
Never mind. darling, he doesn't know
amy better. Wen show him, won't WEI
Il do think, she said, with quiVering in
dignation, fathers are horrid sometimes
Mine nearly as bad. He says I'm only a
child, and dent know my own mind, and
I'm turned seventeen, and left school last
term"
Well, I've got to go next week, Nellie.
Governor says he can't provide for me
here, and it's too good an opening to be
lost. I'm going up TO town tonight, so L
shan't see you again.
Dicks own lips were trembling. but he
forced them into steadiness as Nell-pQor
child-sprang up and threw herself into his
arms with a burst of tears.
My hearts br-br-breaking,p she sobbed.
oh, Dick, You can't go; l can't let you!
She clung to him, and Dick felt In his
pocket, and, producing a handkerchief,
dabbed his eyes for her.
Don't cry so, DON'T he said, with a
brave effort at consolation. Look here,
Nell, it's only for a few years, and then l
Shdll Hidht lily tune anu SOANS
She was sobbing still, but after some min
utes she discovered her pocket, and drew
out her own handkerchief, a dainty, scented
tr1le that did not look as if it were meant
to be cried into. s
Thank YOU. DEAR putting back the red
silk one, i've g-got mine now. Yours is
smoky. How many ye-years, Dick"'
She nestled closer to him as the cigar
scented handkerchief disappeared, ana
looked up with tear-drenched blue eyes. She
thought sadly what an unpleasant world it
was, and what an. early acquaintance she
was making with sorrow.
I'm afraid it will be six or seven" the
young fellow replied m~ournfully. but no
more. You won't forget me, will you, DEAR"
"Il never forget you, never! I'll COME
and meet you; but sev--seVen years. It's
q dreadful time! Oh, what shall l do?"
She wrung out the little handkerchief
which was simply a moist little ball now.
and Dick Herring drew out a piece of
whitey-brOwn paper in a half-shamed man
ner. and. unfolding it. disclosed a small tuft
Of something yellow, straight and scrubby-
looking. Nell glanced at it, and stopped
crying a minute,
%oh. a piece Of your hair. she exclaimed,
Did you cut it off for me?"
Yes, and | want you. boldly, Ito give
me some of yours, so that we shall each
have something to remember by"
The pretty childish head bent toward him,
and she tumbled forward over her shoul-
ders a mass of curly brown hair.
cut some off. darling" she said.
Dick drew out a formidable white clasp
knife and gazed doubtfully at the wavy
ITeSSCS.
How much ought l to takc?' he asked.
with some Embarrassment.
Here, give il TO me-
She sawed ruthlessly until a heavy curl
ing lock. very unevenly cut. lay in his
hand. and was tucked carefully away in
Dicks inside pocket.
For q moment she forgot her woes, and
her face broke into laughter as she
watched.
mot with the cigars, Dick. TIN get as
smoky as your handkerchief"
When, however, they had walked back
toward her home and Dick, pulling out his
watch, SOrrowfully announced they must
part. her smiles all vanished. The lads
manliness broke down, too, and tears
dropped from his eyes on the girls long hair
as she sobbed out entreaties that he would
not forget her.
And at the last minute, when they had
said goodbye for the twentieth time. and
Dick was mournfully taking the path that
led home and away from her, she suddenly
ran after him, and he. nothing loath. turned
back for another look at her blue eyes and
another kiss.
Dick, you won't-won't go and die. will
you, before you come back, d~ar-darling?"
NO. that won't" with unwavering res
olutiOn.
Because / should die, too"
Il won't. Nellie; | promise you | won't,
ana III be as true to you as you will be to
me-
Another goodbye. fnal this time. and Nell
lie Brian went home. pale and heavy
hearted, feeling that she would never be
happy again. and that laughing was for her