The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-02


was a Wilkins.
Your respectful friend
Simeon Budd."
She allowed fortnight to elapse, and
then replied as follows:
"Mr. Budd. dear sir
81 got your letter. / guess you must
have had to walt some Tina at Edge
wood, because their amt no down train
till afternoon. l hope you had some
thing 10 eat, because would not like to
feel that even a dog went without his
dinner through me. But you was max
in me and yourself seem foolish be-
fore the conductor. and could not
think OF anything else to do.
Yours truly. Rose Mitchell"
Simeon appeared at Newtontown late
in August. much to the surprise Of his
elderly relatives, who had not seen him
since he was j small boy. He called to
see Rose the arst evening that he was
there,a found htr sorting flower seeds
on the porch.
rs that you Mr.. Budd?" she said, as
though she had seen him yesterday.
You're Jest in tima to help me-that Is,
IL you know the difference between
sweet peas and four-o'clocks,"
They shook hands and then Sim sat
down on the top step and set to work,
Roses tongue running on meanwhile,
asking him innumerable questions, and
hardly giving him time to answer. He
watched her small hands as they flew
in and out OF the papers that lay on
the floor of the porch, and felt asham-
ed Of his own clumsy fingers. Once
his hand touched hers by accident and
he got very red In the face, and muir
INJURED confused apology. II he had
looked at his companion ut that mo-
ment he would have seen that she was
blushlng, too When 1t got too dark to
see the seeds, size gathered up the little
packages and invited Sim TO walk into
the sitting-rocn, where she introduces
him TO her parents.
He cane again the Eext evening, bet
this time they did not go into the house,
Rose sec:aad TO have grown strangely
silent all at. once, but Sim did not MAD
this so long as she allowed him 10 s.:
where he could watch her pretty face
and soft, wlndblown hair. Perhaps it
was the absence of her usual hantering
tone that finally gave him courage to
speak.
do you remember that night when
you rode home from the socla6le With
me?' he asked
Rose nodded, and he went on
81 told you then that I didn't believe
in wastln' time when a man wants to
marry a girl Now, Rose Mitcheils all
very well nj a name, but I've been
thinkin' GONE time past that Ross
Dudd' would sound good sight better,
and that's what come to Newtontown
to say"
Roas gave little cough, and hesita-
ted moment before answering.
I'm engaged to be married TO Mr.
Montgomery, of westonvillc Centre"
sha said at last, trying to speak with
calm Indifference. and only half sue
cceding.
Sim started to his feet. and stood
looking at her. gigantic picture of
miserable detection.
~ a!n't never given you the idea that
cared about you, hove II" she asked
meeting Ills gaze deHaatly
mo. Rose you aln't," he answered
humbly. You always seemed to BE-
down on me from the first, and you're
the only girl ever wanted"
Flo turned away and started down the
steps.
"Good-by. I'm going back to Branch
borough tomorrow mornin',' he called
over his shoulder.
A faint "good-by" was the only re-
sponss. but IL he had come back he
would have seen that there were tears
in the eyes Of the girl who still sat
where he had. left her in the gathering
gloom.
sim was up at dawn the next morn-
ing. for he intended TO walk 10 the sta
tor and get the half-past train. Mr..
springer had offered 10 hitch up" ana
drive him over. bat he hal declared
that he would rather have the walk In
III, fresh. morning air, He set out at a
brisk pace. and mad soon covered the
bit Of road between the Springer place
and the Alltchcns gate. which he had to
pass. As he approached the latter he
saw something white futtering on the
porch, aud the next moment Eose was
running down the path towards him.
Are you goin'?" she asked anxIousIy,
as she reached the gate.
"It looks binder that way" with
glance in the direction OF his bag, and
dismal attempt at smile,
Have you had your breakfast" ask
ed the girl neryously lingering the
latch.
cousin Maria made me cup Of cot-
fee. I didn't want nothin' e'se," was
the reply. THIN picking up his bag,
which h. had rested on the sate-post
for a moment he said "Well, must be
steppln along. or I'll miss the train"
But Rose caught the handle Of the
satchcl and hall It fast
wait a minute" she sall desperate
". THAT was all maia-up story that
| tod you. There amt no such pcrscs.
as Mr.. Montgomery IF WastonvI!le cen
TIRE"
sim opened the gate and came inside,
and presently both Of Roses hanos were
in one OF his,