The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-09-01

lpletely forgotten her existence.
"You fatterer!" she said, smiling.
Then she tappe' her foot impatiently
upon the ground and frowned. But
men are all alike-they have no con-
stancy, no stability. They are tossed
about by every wind that blows. taken
by every fresh face they see. l have no
patience with them-none Come. let
us go into the house!"
caught her hand Goodness knows
what | was about to say, but just then
we heard footsteps and some Of thu
others approached US and thought Of
Lefty, and felt thankful for their pres
ence.
Soon afterward White and I drove
back to Old Deer together, and next
day l went on to Peterhead to spend
the remaining days of my holiday.
AT first my thoughts were full or
that red haired girl. and every time l
went out l hoped to meet her. l cy-
cled up to Old Deer three days run
ming, and once even called at Barnhill,
where l was entertained at tea by Miss
Smith and her sister, who informed me
that their friend. Miss Stuart, had gone
home.
But the last few days of my holiday
brought Lefty nearer. and, dear girl, I
began to long to see her again. And
when at last l took the train to Aber-
deem I saw that the other had only
been a passing fancy, and that I had
been led on by a bold. designing girl,
and that, after all. l cared for Lefty
only.
l had written her only the day be-
fore. so l knew she would be expect
ng me, and after getting some Of the
ourneys dust rubbed off. set out for
the little house at Queens Cross.
l was getting impatient. quickened
my pace 1 almost ran. -,
When l was shown into the pretty
drawing room Lefty was there alone.
She wore white dress that had az
ways admired; but she did not run to
meet me, with a little, glad cry, as
expected. She only stood up and held
out her hand coldly. kissed her. but
she did not return the caress.
Lefty, dear; aren't you glad to see
me again? You have dressed for me
alone. l know. though you do not
wei"
."I thought you admired pale blue,
Joe; that was the reason l dressed In
white"
That made me think OF that horrid
red haired girl. l really Pegan to dis
like her. .'. "a" :
why do you say that, dear? You
know I always like you In white. And
why are you so ld-and-!ndifferent
Have I changed? I do not think so,
and you are just the Same. except for
Tour coldness."
l glanced at her fair hair. The sun,
shining in from a side window, put
touch of gold in it. I raised my hand
and gently pushed back stray curl
that hid her eyes from me. She shrank
from my touch.
DON'T" she said, emphatically.
Red is your favorite color, you know.
wonder you can bear to 1sok at my
ugly fair tresses."
l felt almost giddy with astOnsh-
ment. How l hated that I'D haired
girl!
81 hate red," cried, vchemently.
4 detest it,"
Men are all alike. They Nave no
oonstancy whatever. Their fancy is
taken by every fresh face they see 1
have no belief in them-nOne!"
With which words, spoken quickly
and angrily Lefty rushed out of the
room and the door shut behind her
with a little bang.
was dazed and perpleXed. had
heard almost the same words before,
and now felt as if could have muir
dered that red haired girl
got up slowly and looked once again
around the dear room. How familiar
Everything seemed and perhaps I
might never see it again. Then | went
20 the door, and on opening it came
face to face with-the red haired girl.
staggered back. Was | mad? Was
this all a horrible dream? l clutched
he back of a chair for support. Coolly
the girl held out her right hand. She
Iwore the same half-evening dress OF
pale blue muslin and fastened by a
gold pin. Near her throat was a yell
ow, withered rose.
How do you do Mr.. Keith?"
could stand his no longer. took
quick step past her and reached the
stair.
Joe! Joe! Don't go! Don't you
know me?"
"I looked round just as I reached
he foot. The red haired girl had TAX
en off her hair, and underneath We're
Letty's own fair tresses. She was
was laughing and crying by turns, and
If course. l rushed back and took the
lear girl in my arms.
Didn't l M up my checks and
'yebrows beautifully, Joe?" she asked
tfter a time. And don't you think l
vet well? The Smith girls were school
friends of mine and we made 1t up to-
scther!"