Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-05-01
YEARS AFTER.

SBe Ddu uOUDeu Ter prebblesb OOspuiAS and brightest smiles in honor of the new arrival, Guy Edgerton.
 How my beautiful sister would have laughed could she have known that this same new arrival was the hero of my dreams I will tell you how he came to perform so important a part in them. We at home always made it practice to cele- brate the birthdays with fete. Five years ago, when it lacked but two weeks of my sisters eighteenth birthday, my mother died. We mourned her loss deeply, but Kate, for her oath's s sake, given in tho shape of enameled invitation cards, would not give up her usual custom.
 The party came off, protesting I would not appear in the drawing room, and did not, but, sitting alone on the balcony, watched the forms fit to and fro in the brilliant drawing room.
 was crying bitterly when n firm step sounded beside me, and, looking up, met the gaze of Guy Edgerton, my sister Katie's most ardent admirer.
 "Wby do you not join the company, Miss Howard?'
 He bent forward and looked in my face. "What, in tears, little ones" At this 1 cried harder than ever.
 Wont you tell me what grieves you?'
 At this l told him all-how it seemed to me sacrilegious so to treat my mothers memory.
 He said nothing, only smoothed my hair tenderly until I ceased weeping.
 As looked up he said:
 Little Mattie, am going away tomor- row-going to Europe. Will you kiss ine goodby?"
 was only 1b, so raised my head and kissed him.
 "Thank you, little one, and when I come back will you give mo kiss of well come? I have no mother, no sister, Mat tic, no one to welcome me back. Will you?"
 "Yes, sir" I sobbed He said "Thank you' again and then left me.
 For five long years had heard nothing from him, and now he had returned. This is what l had been dreaming about this pleasant morning. The dinner bell reused me from my reyerie, and, hastily donning my prettiest blue muslin. I sought the dining room. As I entered my father presented me to Mir. Edgerton.
 'eMy little daughter, Mattie.
 I think we are already acquainted" he said and then passed on.
 The last morning of Mr. Edgerten s stay the subject of conversation turned upon kissing. Mr. Edgerton, sitting by, did not join in the conversation. Pretty Flo Archer saucily demanded Mir. Edgerton S opinion.
 stNow, really, Mir. Edgerton, don't you like to attend forfeit partiesf"
 ''No, Miss Archer, do not. I think kiss obtained by compulsion no kiss at all. D
 "Fiel We shall get up party on pur- pose to test you. We believe you would assist"
 I certainly should not !"
 "Why, MT. Edgertonl You shall do penance for that speech.
 You are to tell what lady you kissed last.
 "That would not do, as the lady is pres ent and would be the sufferer rather than myself. "
 Well, then, you are to tell how long it is since you kissed her.
 twill you promise not to doubt my word?''
 "Oh, certainlyi'
 Then, Miss Layton, have kissed no lady for the space of five long years
 ''Oh, Guy is probably faithful to some fair lady who favored him then, . suggest ed Ned Archer.
 Exactly so, Ned, and he passed to meet his valet, who came with letters.
 My cheeks were burning, and I arose and fled to my room.
 Hattie, you little goose, what are you blushing forf He doesn t mean you.
 said this over to myself, but somehow I doubted my own words.
 Here Kate burst in upon me-
 Here you are, Fuss. I have been out hunting for you. We have made up party to ride out to the Shaker settlement and take dinner and return by moonlight. Won't it be fun, and don't you want to gos'
 ''No, guess had rather stay at home and have quiet day of it. .'
 'What little old maid it isl We'll, it needn't go unless it wants top And she was off. watched them drive off. Then I teok my sewing and enseonced myself in a hay window in the quiet cool parlor
 Scarcely had seated myself when some one entered the room, repeating those lines of Leigh Hunt little ballad: Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
 Say that health and wealth have missed .sc Say I'm growing old, but add
 Jonnle kissed ne.
 My hcait fase a great bound, for Ircoos, nized Guy hissgton s voice.
 Not know as was there, he came ta the Nery win0aw where was sitting,
 He drew back the curtain and looked upon ne
 "Wty Hattie, you hereP thoae you were out with the riding party ias5 co2y yoH look hero. May sit down he- side ylus3
 es, sir. answered frankly.
 His dark eyes searched my faee for moment. Then he said
 eI am going away tomorrow, little one Will you redeem your promise before 20: 1 have carried the kiss you gayo me L.. through all my travels, darling, and have brought it ha, to you pure as you r.. 2 it. I have kissed no woman all tue i. . years, for, do you know, Mattie .ss.l nado conquest of me that night wac,I you kissed me have loved you eNtr since, and now, darling, if you give me my kiss of welcome you must give yo.. self with it. shall i< be so, darlinge N.. vau Ina my litHla .eifassi