The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-12-23

one WISH very BOOu-ioOklnSs was
she?" She took up her book again
and turned the pages a.bsently.
"Well-er--1 don't know" said he.
critically. "She was quite youngster,
you see, and growing. Why, she wasn't
more than 13i"
"Scraggy, you mean?" She nearly
tore a leaf in turning it over.
"Ye-es-at least, no. She wanted fill
ing out rather, but"
"Not pretty?"
"Well, not exactly. But still"
"Too pale, If remember rightly?"
"She was rather pale. but"
"Clumsy and awkward, wasn't she?"
"Not so bad as l." Heleaned back and
laughed aloud. II suppose she didn't
tell you about the time when we went
bir1's-nesting and fell in the ditch?"
"No, she didn't" The emphatic tone
seemed to rouse some recollection in
him, and he studied her profile very
carefully as she looked at her book.
II daresay she's forgotten me-" he
suggested. with sigh. still watching
her.
II wonder you remember since you
rated her charms so lightly" said she,
shutting her book with a snap and
standing up against the urn.
"By Jove. 1 didn't" said he, sturdily.
II thought her the jolliest girl that
ever was, though she was three years
younger than l."
"Yet you haven't troubled to seek
her out?"
"Well, you see, was abroad with my
dad for six years."
"You could have written"
"What do you think her uncle would
have said to her If he'd found her out?
She told me not to-
"Of course" said she, scornfuily.
"But do you suppose she meant it?
And why didn't you go and see her
when you came back? p
1T seemed such long time. Ididn't
expect she'd remember"
"Did you2"
"Not so well as now" he admitted,
shamefacedly.
Someone else, suppose?"
"A mere passing affair"
sand a stream Of passing affairs
since, no doubt. Men are so faithful"
She tossed her dainty head scornfully.
"They were only very little ones," he
pleaded. sand did think about her."
Without trying to find her?"
"Well-not quite"
"Did you try. really?"
EYES," said he, rather awkwardly, II
did"
"How?" The dragon seemed posi-
lively to smirk; but it was probably
some effect of the sunlight.
He waved his hand to the stony mon
ster.
"O!" said she, II see. A letter.! How
romantic! Didn't she answer?"
no" said he. shaking his head. II
rut in something three months ago.
and I've been half dozen times since"
Perhaps she didn't consider the let
ter satisfactory" she suggested. de-
murely; but there was a dimple on each
cheek. "Was it very touching?"
"Verses!" he confessed. with depre-
catory shrug Of the shoulders
"O!" said She "They ought to have
mollified her. But she hasn't been here
for some time, as o matter of fact. You'd
better let me send them to her"
II hardly know" said he, doubtfully;
"you see, we nightn't care for each
other now"
"Just as you please" said she. toss
ing her head. There was something in
the toss which brought a flood of recol-
lection dnto his eyes. He plunged his
arm intothe dragons jaws and brought
out piece of paper from far inside.
IF give you this will you bring her
answer?"
"Yes," said she, gravely; aor she will.
But warn you shall read them"
He nodded and twirled his moustache
uneasily, as she pretended to read the
verses-afhough she knew them by
heart.
TO A MEsdoRY.
Changed the place we called our own.
Weeds and moss have overgrown
Ev'n the rugged path Of stone
Where we met;
Only on the fountains rim
ecowls untouched the dragon grim.
Naught are seven years to him
Violet!
What are seven years to mef
tedrs OF not DlOOo courstng free:
Quite as much as there should be
To regret;
Here and there little fall,
Now and then an eyelash wet;
But one hallowed thought through ALL,
Violet!
What are seven years to you,
Little playmate? Would knew
II you recollect me too,
Or forget.
Be You free from harm and cares,
With your heart child-heart yet;
And my name among your prayers,
Violets
R.M.
1 There seems to be an answer" she
said, family, after minute or two;
and he looked over her shoulder and
read:
Dear Dick: II you really want to see
truly, vi.
p. ST. am afraid you have been. very