The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-09

gone into town to have "a ,loctored rod md
so stella and I are left alone to finish
up the housecleaninR. Bnt IL von,Ii
clean the rugs twill be- \ sroot ,oI,, 20
us. Stella will show Won , 1eas A oup, "
thing is.'' "nere oVery-
And 80 under Stolla's ,n,do,.o +h,
olothesline was put mn. ana an Sno
were ofought out, and pretty soon the
sound OF stout stick we'll applied was
ne.lu livery time the young man
paused ne looked toward the young
girl, who, with her skirts tucked up'
was hitting i'll and out of the doorway
VI pauslng-a very pretty picture in
deed-on the top step of the vine Gov
cred porch She was demure girl. the
young man noted, and not inclined to
talk to the help. but once in awhile
when no CHANGED to catch her eve be
fancled he detected most mischievons
twinkle. After awhile she came toward
him.
II don't believe you ever beat any
rugs before" she said.
And why not?" he cried.
Because you work too hard at if. >,
she laughed.
We'll, to tell you the truth" he
said' I'm working hard in hopes that
your mother will give me little lunch
con. I'm hungrier than starved bear.''
IN see what mother thinks about
IT, she said and ran into the house.
Then the older lady came forth and
carefully inspected the rugs.
You do your work very conscien
tiously," she said.
try to, ma'am," he remarked,
She looked at him ouriously.
Its pity to see such fine young
man tramping, she said. "Why don't
you give it up?''
I'm thinking of it, ma'am," he an
swered
"A sober, Industrious man like yoa."
she continued, "should marry and settle
down.
"I'm thinking of that, too, ma'am,"
he said, and somehow he looked toward
Stella as he said it, and Stella, who
was i'll the doorway, caught his glance
and cried abruptly:
Your luncheon is ready.''
The young man soused his head in
tin wash basin few times and then
pronounced himself also ready.
1t was nice midday spread, and
Stella waited on him. AS his eve took
in the details Of the painfully clean
kitchen he suddenly cried out:
Do you ride wheel?''
why, yes" she answered calmly.
Don't you?"
he stopped short and slipped at his
glass of milk.
ga tro1up m, a b;ovo1ot ~ ~, :,
laughed, but it was forced laugh.
After luncheon the young man an
nounced that he was obliged to 20 to
town, but he would come back at
O'Clock that afternoon, and perhaps he
could be of further service. The older
lady offered him his pay.
Keep it for me until / get back from
town" he said. II never have any
money in my pocket without wanting
to spend it. %
Poor young MANI said stclla's
mother
Then with lifted hat the poor young
man strode down the path and vanished
behind the hedge that bordered tho
highway.
II wonder if he will ever como
back?" quoth Stella's mother.
Yes. he'll come back, said Stella
1t was nearly O'Clock that after
noon when natty young man in an
exceedingly becoming bicycle suit camet
wheeling down the road from Center
vile. Presently he was aware that
rider was approaching, rider in
charming gray suit and hat and with
the daintiest russell shoes. He turned
aside to give the newcomer the best Of
the road When merry voice cried out:
Coming back for your money!
He stared around in astonishment.
why, it's Stella!'' he cried 81 beg
your pardon, Miss
"Stella Gorham," sho called rs she
turned about and pedaled to his side.
II am John Trenholm" no said,
1.-THE treasurer of tho new Centeryille
mills"
eyes" she said demurcly, ST could
have told you that"
You knew me?"
81 guessed it. knew you were com
ing to Centerville, and had heard of
You before. Your sister and were at
Wellesley together. Why, Mabel gave
me one of your photographs-there,
shouldn't have told you that"
why" no said, eve heard Of you
too. Valedictorian of your class, pride
off,
"There, there" said Stella, "that
will be quite sufficient" She pushed
her wheel ahead and left him a little
behind.
do you know" she said as he
caught up, "mother will almost die
from modification.