The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-11-12

rather awkward. and if any of the fell
lows heard of it! So he paused, doubt
fully, whilst Maudie bit her lip and
frowned.
You'd better catch some more tId-
dlers," she remarked, with naughty
light dancing in her eyes. That's the
sort OF thing for boys-silly, brig boys!''
A bad-tempered lad would have
grown angry, and dull lad would have
felt humbled; but Ralph was neither
So he just pinched her ear slightly and
leased: IF you found me a very nice
firl, I'd try"
The hot color rushed all over poor
little Maudie's face, and something
choking surged up in her throat.
Ralph was so big and strong; she did
Sadmire him so much, and looked upon
him as quite her property. tear came
up in her eye, almost that he should
want some one nicer; but she didn't say
anything.
Perhaps ought to find a girl for
MYSELF" he suggested. She nodded,
constrainedly.
"She ought to be bit younger than
~"
"Of course
And pretty and nice"
Certainly"
We'll, who shall it be?" There was
mischievous twinkle in his dark eyes
He knew very well that there was no
girl so nice as Maude. Il know. I've
just thought of one. Guess!"
Il don't want to know said she, sulk-
lily, plucking viciously at the long
grass.
She's awfully jolly" continued he,
refectively; land pretty-my word!
know she likes me. | think | shall
marry her when grow up"
You'll change your mind, most like
ly," said Maudie, savagely, land she's
sure to. don't want to talk about such
nonsense. | dare say she's nasty; and
you're horrid-right down horridl And
l don't believe he's anyone-only pre-
tend"
mo, she isn't. I'll show her to you
some day."
Il don't want to see her."
You'll have to-"
II won't"
you will-now." He put one strong
erm right round Maudie's waist, and
held her dangling over the brook.
Look" said he, pointing to the waver-
! ing reflection in the stream, Isn't she
ripping?"
Pretty Maudie blushed and laughed
and willfully shut her eyes. 81 don't
see anyone" she said in soft, pleased
little voice. You'll drop me, Ralphie."
Yes, l will, if you don't look at her
and say she's pretty" She opened her
eyes little, but she looked at him.
Who's pretty?"
"The young person in the water"
That boy-do you mean? No-not
very" She turned her laughing, saucy
face up towards his. Her eyes were so
blue and big, her long hair brushed so
softly against his face, and her mouth
looked so cherry-ripe and fresh, that
he couldn't help kissing her good
many times. Ralph always did things
so thoroughly, you know And Maudie
didn't struggle, because grown-up
woman wouldn't have, or because she
didn't want to. or both. It's no use
asking me which, for never could I'M
derstand female ways; and don't be-
lieve anyone ever could.
Then they sat down very close to-
gether on the bank of the brook, with
their legs dangling, and said nothing
for moment. She looked half pleased
and half shy; and he, to tell the truth,
| looked rather foolish.
II wish did understand making love,
Maudie girl" said he, slowly.
Boys don't like it."
Il expect they do, if they once be-
GIN"
"Buta boy couldn't make love really"
"Perhaps-with practice" he sug-
gested. Do you know, don't think he
was such very simple boy.
"Oh, no; not really"
"Why?"
Because he couldn't fall properly in
love. Not very much, you know"
Maudie gazed at him with saucer-eyes
that looked fathoms deep. | doubt
whether she was quite guileless little
girl either; and I don't believe there is
such thing!
Il think he could" said Ralph, decid
edly, IF the girl were you, Maudie."
But people would laugh at him.
Ralph WINGED little. "Of course, he
wouldn't make fool of himself before
people-like men," he said, loftily.
But he might like her very much. and
make love to her when no one was
about
"Ah! Might"
And he might promise to marry her
when he grew up; and she might prom
Use him."
Eyes they = might" murmured
Maudie, looking at her shoes. Then the
boys great arm went quietly round her
waist. and she let herself be drawn close
to him. looking as happy asa woman!
II know it sounds soft, Maudie." he
said bashfully. "but, on my honor.
do like you an awful lot. don't think
any girl was ever half so nice. Don't
you think you could promise to marry
me when we grow up?"