Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-01-07
STEPHIE'S HERO.
by ASSABRL DWIGHT.


"Stephie" was short for Stephana,
which rather peculiar name had been
bestowed upon her at baptism by her
sponsors.
Her life was not very pleasant.
After her mothers death, her father,
mild, shiftless man, had married
again-a black.eyed widow, with four
small children; and q year later pair
of twins were added to the number.
The girls life became q round of
household drudgery-washing, scrub
bling, baking, and attending babies.
BY nature she was dreamy and poet
ical, and cherished romantic notions,
which she dared not speak of at home
When she was nineteen, Roland
Harvey went to Rome. Roland was
her hero then.
They had promised to be true to
each other until such time as he could
make home for her.
He was something of an artist, and
had glowing visions Of the future.
He was very enthusiastic, and
Stephies faith in him was boundless.
So at last when his uncle from the
city offered to take him across the
ocean, the poor girl put aside her own
pain at the thought of parting from
him, and listened patiently to his
rhapsodies.
1t did not occur to Stephie that her
lover was selfish, when he had no
thought for her own sorrow. She
would have resented such an insinua-
ton Indignantly. Roland was to her
the embodiment Of all that was noble
and gracious. She felt sure that he
would do great things some day-now
that he had got away from that stupid
little seaport where they lived. 1t
washer place to wait and hope, living
her dull life as best she could; sooth-
ing the riotous children, and doing
her share of the Homework.
Sometimes, however, after reading
one of Roland's letters, she exper-
fenced an unutterable sense of disap-
pointment. He wrote invariably of
himself, his hopes, his pleasures, his
hardships. There was no word of
sympathy for her, and very few words
of love; and Stephie had all tender
hearted woman's longing for affection.
One afternoon, strolling along the
beach, surrounded IA usual by the
children, she came suddenly upon q
man lying at full length, with his head
pillowed upon his hands, and his eyes
fastened dreamily upon the distant
horizon.
Johnnie one of the twins-who
was running at full speed, pursued by
the other twin, Josie, pitched head,
long across the strangers breast.
''Hold up there, my little mani" said
the gentleman, laughing a little, as he
set the young hopeful upon his feet,
and arose himself at the same time.
"You are far from being killed, I'll
be bound. What's your name, sir?"
"Name? Cunnin' dog" responded
Johnnie, giving his fathers pet appella-
ton for him, while he forgot to cry,
and eyed the gentleman boldly.
'Johnnie!" said Stephie, reproving-
ly, tinge of modification coming
into her cheeks.
"Tisl" declared Johnnie, stolidly.
"Name, cunnin' dog!"
she is only three years old, SIR"
said Stephie. apologetically.
The man patted Johnnie's head and
glanced in kindly way at Stephie.
"You have a beautiful view here"
he remarked, motioning seward with
one hand.
"Do you think SOP" she returned.
81 get tired of it sometimes; l have
seen it so much" with a little sigh.
"Rolaud used to call it pretty"
"Aud who is Rolaud?" queried the
stranger, in a quiet, friendly voice, an
amused expression drifting into his
eyes.
"A friend Of mine, sir"
He saw the color drift into her
cheeks again,
"An artist. He has gone to Rome
to study" she added.
"Ah? 1 hope he may have good
luck. paint a little myself some
times"
ooh, do you?" cried Stephie, look
ing at him with new interest.
And directly they drifted off into
long conversation, in which Stephie
innocently revealed the whole story of
her life, and almost unconsciously
took on n patronizing tone as she
spoke of Roland's talents and plans
for the future.
1t astonishei her TO discover how
freely she could talk with this man;