Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-11-17
fSz
YEARS AFTER.
sSoEs

Did you know, child, you have just Is
minutes to dress in before the dinner
bell rings?"
She had donned her prettiest CO.'S
tune 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. | will tell you how he came
to perform so important a part in
them.
Five years ago, when it lacked but
two weeks of my sisters 18th birthday,
my mother died.
We mourned her loss deeply; but
Kate, for her oath's sake, given in the
shape of enameled invitation cards,
would not give up her usual party.
"Oh, Kate" l pleaded, please don't
have it,"
You don't know what you are say
Ing, child. | cannot detract after the
invitations are issued and father
thinks it is best we should have it."
And so 1t ended. The party came off,
l protesting l 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 a firm
step sounded beside me, and, looking
up, | met the gaze of Guy Edgerton,
my sister Katie's most ardent admir-
er.
why do you not join the company
Miss Howard?"
He bent forward and looked in my
face. What, in tears, little one!" At
this | cried harder than ever.
Won't you tell me what grieves
you?"
At this told him all. How it SEEM
ed to me sacreligious SO to treat my
mothers memory.
He said nothing, only smoothed my
hair tenderly until ceased weeping.
AS | looked up he said:
Little Matte, / am going away to-
morrow; going to Europe Will you
kiss me goodbye"
| was only 15 so / raised my head
and kissed him
Thank you, little one; and when l
come back will you give me kiss of
welcome? l have no mother, no sis
ter, Matte. No one to welcome me
back. Will you?"
"Yes. sir" | sobbed
He said THANK you" again. and then
left me.
For five long years | had heard Moth
ing from him; and now he had return
ed.
This is what | had been dreaming
about this pleasant morning.
The dinner-bell reused me from nv
reverie. and hastily donning nv nretti-
est blue muslin | sought the dining
As | entered, my father presented me
to Mr.. Edgerton.
MY little daughter, Matte"
Il think we are already acquainted "
he said, and then passed on.
For two weeks every young lady at
the house, save myself, tried their fas-
cinations upon him, but to no avail.
What a pity" sighed Flo Archer,
that his uptown mansion and huge
bank stock have no mistress!"
But her sighs were in vain. The last
morning of Mr.. Edgerton's stay the
subject of conversation turned upon
kissing. Mr.. Edgerton, sitting by, did
not join in the conversation. Pretty
Flo Archer saucily demanded Mr.. Edg-
erton's opinion.
Now, really, Mr.. Edgerton, don't
you like to attend forfeit partes?"
mo, Miss Archer, do not. | think
a kiss obtained by compulsion no kiss
at all"
why, Mr.. Edgerton! You shall do
penance for that speech"
You are to tell what lady you kissed
last"
That would not do, as the lady is
present, and would be the sufferer
rather than myself"
"Well, then, you are to tell how long
..Su;iI all ~ you nisseu nei'
10, W" pioiiise ho' u uouot my
..o, ,
.ort, n, o0i ,t, uulniy.
non' nilsS Lay 'oii' nave KISSED no
My cheeks were burning, and | arose
and fled to my room.
Matte, you little goose. what are
you h1uShiro foro IIo doo,r,t ,,,on,,