The record-union., 1899-12-24

know fur sure Mebee he amt come a
courtin' yet"
Dinner, served in the pleasant room
with windows and doors open on the
sunny, vine wreathed porch, and sweet
pine-ladened odors stealing in, seemed
as nectar to Dick Camdon- Sierra look
ing her very prettiest and her brown
eyes dancing with fun proved a charm
ing companion Dick was fast los
ing his heart and Mrs Wharton, watch
ing him keenly, saw all the signs, but
she steeled her heart to all Dicks good
qualities. She had made the vow that
nothing but Californeen and no mess
alliance for Sierra Nevada like an Eng
lishman" for instance.
AS for Sierra herself she was happy,
but when Dick had returned to the
mine she had a homily preached 10
her on his undesira bility. She only
laughed and colored rosily. She knew
the prejudices of her parents but
blithely declared there was time
enough to scare him off when he asked
for her."
That's only MATCHED that a young
man should do the extra polite to you.
Amt you a normal scholar want to
know?" said her mother.
.'Bet she's glad to be free up here, "
amt you, said her father, coming In.
Eyer must have felt as if you was
curled up and fastened with ketch
pin down there in that San Jossee city .
"Oh no." she laughed, as she turned
to see a tramp asking for bread. mot
had a bite of nuthin' to eat sence last
IL - xir,cr a
with leer in his red eyes.
Silas called out, s'Come in and let me
jest unscrew your head and look in
see whether you are lying or not,
sonny
The tramp fed through the gate
without waiting for bread.
Poor man." said Sierra as she
watched him hurry away. What a
shame"
Don't you VERY" said her father,
'he's jest telling that stuff. Notice his
head, it's so high if the truth ever did
hit him it would akchilly slip off,
The month of June was perfect, blue
skies and pleasant, cool days. Fra
grant breezes stirred the leaves of the
trees, and birds twittering softly as
they nested meath their shade undis-
turbed. The ripping gurgle of the
f1ume tide the only sound in the
still evenings their lullabys. Sierra
loved this time for her walk to the
Office. And one evening she met Dick
Camdon and he had turned about and
walked with her.
In the distance could be seen six
teen-hors bell team with their driver
on the wheeler cracking his whip and
swearing at each horse in turn as he
aimed his blows and named the horse.
woodland echoes" laughed Dick.
with variations" said Sierra, ''but
1t rather spoils the perfect evening"
ooh, it would take more than that to
spoil it, said Dick, contentedly look
ing at her. The light of the setting sun
was on his face and something brighter
in his eyes.
He knew his time had come. She
was to leave soon for school and he
must know if she loved him. How
could he be certain? True the rosy
color was racing up and down her
smooth, soft cheek and the long brown
lashes hid the smiling eyes.
I'm glad to meet you this lovely
evening"" he said, rive something to
tell you if you will listen"
rs it something nice?" she asked.
would you say it was if I said I
loved your" he asked.
"Oh." she gave little gasp. care
you in earnest?"
Never more So" he said seriously.
st love you very dearly. And want
you to be my dear little wife. That is
if you love me and think I could make
you happy Oh say you do-say you
will be-" he added impetuously.
Evening folkses,' called the team
.ster as he came round the curve in
the grade. Then in mischievous tones
as he recognized the couple, Fine eli
mate for a promenade, beats San Jose
boiler, don't it Miss Sierra?" twisting
his whole face in an endeavor to wink
his eye. ~
Yes, a lovely evening"" Sierra said
as she blushed and nodded to the man.
Dick spoke but not so cordially, man
like he was impatient of Interruptions
just then.
However the team soon passed on
and out of sight, the leaders jingling
their collar bells in merry chimes as
they shifted with open nostrils suspic-
iously at the couple; then as if salts
fed, drew a long breath and pulled
hard enough to display muscles like
cords on steaming TANKS and glossy
shoulders.
Sierra was quiet and Dick drew
nearer and drew her hand tenderly
through his arm and held it there while
he pleaded his love.
Don't you care the least little bit
for me?" he asked.
The blush grew deeper. Tell me-" he
pleaded. "A little yes" she answered
in so low tone that only love-sharp-
ened hearing could hear it.
Darling girl he said joyously,
STOPPING to kiss the soft, pink flushed
cheek.
But you are not a native son and
both father and mother will object,
she whispered.
"Oh am native son of somewhere -
he asserted. Il was born in Honolulu
Is that too far west or south?"
She laughed softly. IF I was a
native of England would that do?" he
asked anxiously.
NO. she said ruefully, ut would
never suit mother and father"
'All's fair in love and war;" he quot
ed How would it do for me to pre-
tend 1 am one 1 will be naturalized
soon and have a vote here, and then
lose you. And if you love me won't
that make me a son of the soil?" and
he slipped his arm around her slim
waist coaxingly.
She edged away slyly. please don't,