Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-19
FADING LEAVES.

IN this quiet place2'' MABEL Wild tore
to pieces the roses she held in her hand
without elancing up at the man who
was standing before her.
merely fliftation!" he repeated,
his voice little unsteady. mabel.
you cannot mean it!''
"Mean itn' and she now looked up
smiling. II never was more 10 earnest
in my life; and am sorry II you have
considered it anything else. thank
you for helping the time pass SO
pleasantly. and I shall always re-
member your many kindne ses. Have
you noticed how the leaves are coloring
on that row of maple trees?'' she asked
abruptly changing the subject after
moments pause. ~
Mr.. Daen turned his head in the
direction indicated. ives. they are
changing to brilliant hues, but they |
will soon be faded and dead. Dead, as
trust the love that have felt for you |
will be before long. l don't deny, Miss
Wild, that / love you, | have given |
you the love Of an honest man-one who
has never CARED enough for woman
before to wish her for a life partner :
and you have given me every reason to
believe that it was returned. Don't
tell me that you have not seen that l
cared for you. They say that. you
women are quicker to see those things
than we men, and / made no effort to
hide my feelings. did not think that
you were encouraging me just to cast
me aside. +"
81 have enjoyed your society, and l
knew that you appeared to enjoy mine,
but did not try TO win your affections
merely to throw them away" Mabel
spoke decidedly, and her face flushed.
Twas to come to you and say Mr..
Dean, you must not learn to care for
me?'" There was sarcastic ring in
her voice. "But you know yourself
that would not suit you for my dear
old guardian may have spoiled me by
humoring me too much and then my
neck is rather long and may be little
awkward in my gait when walk slowly,
ard that might annoy you.' She
spoke as if with an effort to appear
calm, but the man scarcely noticed her
words, except to give o sudden look of
surprise There was an awkward pause.
II shall probably not see you alone
again, as | shall likely leave on the
early train in the morning" Mr.. Dean
said at length. "Allow me to congratu-
coquette have ever met Don't fancy
that shall die of broken heart-I
shall spare you ut least that satisfac-
tion. AS these leaves fade, so shall all
the love that have felt for you."
Mabel raised her hard as if to ward
off blow. He looked at her for a
moment, and there was scornful smile
on his face; then he turned and disap.
peared among the trees.
Mabel watched him until he was out
of sight
II just can hardly believe it Of
him." she said, choking back sob.
II never was SO deceived in any one
and to think that he accuses me of be
ing coquette, and says that he has
given me the love of an honest man
j don't care what he thinks of me- 81
long as he does not dream how mucf
he Is to me, and he must never, nere
know. He looked rather queer when
spoke of my long neck and awkward
walk, but am glad that said it, ant
Just the way it is here" and she drey
out what was evidently part of lette
which she had picked up as it wa
hutteiing around on the grass an hou
before, and she had been startled t
read:
about that NV, If you can ge
her, / advise you to do So hav
heard several speaking about her, an
she will be worth considerable none
in year or two. had thought {
trying for her myself, but had anotke
one in view which could not get CT
of taking honorably. You say that sh
may be little hard to manage; ju.
know from the first that you are maste
That old man has petted and humore
her too much; but If you take u
right way do not think you will ha,
any difficulty in tanning her down in
few months. As to her neck beir
rather long, aud being little awkwal
in hor gait when going slowly, | wou
not let that influence me. She has
good pedigree, and you know that blot
will tell. Wishing you much luck
your venture, yours,
John Vincent. !"
Mabel had seen it in Mr.. Deans hal
that morning, and she heard him spea
ing Of his old college chum, John Vi
cent, frequently.
HE thought he would not lose Al
time" Mabel thought as she put
away. "But would not have believ
1t if they had told me-" and the tea
rushed to her eyes, but were angrl
brushed away.
1T just won III let my self care for b
If l can help it. 1t ia good thins
found out that it is the money / "
have after awhile and not myself tt
he AIRED for. 2
why Mabel. what in the world
wrongp" and plump little woman
blue dress and ribbons threw herself
the seat beside her. II have ha,
long walk to see that woman who '
hurt the other day. You may be thar
full that Mr. Dean is no country par.
and that you won't be expected to vi
everybody for miles around when I'll
take the notion to get hurt or sicl
and she famed herself vigorously W
her hat. There was few momer
silence.
New, see here, Mabel, is th
anything wrong between you and
Dean2 met him a few mimi
ago and he looked as glum as an
and said something about going to n
Mr.. Harvey and hurried on with
giving me chance hardly to speal
Mabel did not answer, but her
flushed. .E
Now, have you two been havir
quarrel?'' Mrs. Harvey asked, aft,
moments pause. Don't think I
Mr.. Harvey and have not seen THU
Mr.. Dean ran down to spend a
days and has prolonged his stay
summer, and Mr.. Harvey and / b
long ago come to the conclusion
there is some other attraction than
SELF. and we have besn delighted,
cause you seem Just made for
other. And, Mabel''--there was
treaty in her voice = don't throw
man like Mr.. Dean for a. mere wi