The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1899-04-26

buncle for her winter coat, as past glorieS did
not seem to be able to furnish that garment.
1t was great fun, Ozie declared to lunch in
the grove and float down river by moonlight.
ooh, yes! there are boys, and they sing college
songs and play mondoins, and it sounds lovely
on the WATER urged Ozie. Lizbeth wasn't
too old; they needed few old girls to look
after them. So Lizbeth went for propriety' S
sake. In many ways she was more of child
than sturdy, strong willed Ole, for she could
not bear pain, and loved to be petted.
Two red roses bloomed on Lizbeths white
she saw Bob Willard, who was there before
them, coming down the bank to help her out.
Bob was tall, misunderstanding fellow,
who often spent an evening the Widow
Weston's piazza, chatting with Ozie and Liz
beth. He was only boy, twenty-one, to be
sure, and she was engaged. He had years OF
college life before him, and she soon to be
married.; so they were safe companions. Stu
dents always firted, and that was all.
1t was delicious to walk beneath the tall
pines with some one who had warm, dark eyes
full of admiration, and think of cold blue ones
far away; and there a strong arm and will
ing hand to help her over all rough places. He
didn't care whether she had money or not; he
hadn't the summer resort diamonds
and laces. 1t was delightful to be offered a
seat in boat just big enough for two, and
float down the river with the merry laughter
of young voices and the tinkling of mandons
in ones ears. 1t not too bright, either,
for big, soft clouds 1oated lazily by, and
again hiding the moon, and making pleasant
shadows.
Bobs voice was rich and low, and Lizbeth
was jest sympathetic enough to win his conf
dence. His father and mother dead, he
told her, and nobody cared whether he went to
business to college.
mo one?" nurmured Lizbeth.
mo one; if there was 1 might care, and de
as that one wished. [ know fellow that's
awfully young, but he's going to marry a girl
and give up college for her. And there's 10
Howe, older than l. going to school years
more to please his mother. L suppose both are
| right, but have one to care
| The boat 1oated on and sudden chill COM
| ing into the air, Bob drew the shore,
that he might find extra shawl and wrap
it about Lizbeth; twas somewhere in the boat,
she said. AS he put it about her his warm
hand touched her cold fingers, and he caught
the odor of violets, which he remembered a
part of his dear mothers belongings. Laugh
ing, he Sad
"You are cold. I wouldn't let your hands
be like that if I was your sweetheart" Boys
take such liberties! "How those diamonds
sparkler' he added for Lizbeth was still. "You
are going to be married?'
"In June"
g.
"Why do you suppose SOP"
Observation-Disclosures he ought to be to have
you for wife"
Silence.
''Whe nj am old enough to marry, 1 shall
look for some one with red gold hair, and eyes
to match, and skin like milk and roses"
II hope you will find her.
eff it wasn't for that other fellow, should
have hope, too
She thought they had better little, and
catch up with the Others then she asked if
the milk and roses girl should be rich, or
would he be satisfied with the gold in her hair.
And he said that he hoped he wouldn't learn
anything in the next four years which would
seal his heart to 1ove-he had enough gold for
tWo anyway
Lizbeth hoped he would be happy, and
thought that gold was ugly when made into
letters to bind unwilling hands. But they had
reached the wharf, and must leave thee boat to
follow the noisy party up the street. He helped
her out, but did not let go her hand until the
moon, coming out, threatened to tell tales.
students always hirt, don't they, Ozie?"
asked Lizbeth that night, when they went to
bed.