The sun., 1901-02-21

taineer then, always rode good horse,
and, in spite of his poverty, he was
great catch, even among
the well-to-do girls. He was sober, in !
dustrious and thrifty.
One day he stopped at the house OF
old George Latimer 10 look at yoke
of steers the latter wished to sell. when
he entered the door he was greeted by
a young girl of about 16, who stood
in the middle of the room, and, blushing
softly, bade him "take seat"
"Pap is not in jest now," said the
young girl, ''but he'll come soon-he.s
out to the new ground field fixin' some
gaps in the fence"
Ben didn't care whether the old man
came or not. The beauty of the young
girl astonished him so that his mission
was forgotten. 1t was strange he had
never before known old George had
pretty daughter. He lived within three
miles of him. In passing he had often
seen a beautiful child sitting on the
fence or playing in the yard. But that
was only few days ago, seemingly.
Now, here was the bud in full, luscious,
odorous blossom!
He was always, before, instantly
ready to start conversations with girls
whether acquainted with them or not.
when chance threw them in his way
But now, for the first time, he felt
flush of embarrassment. The girl sat
down, and occasionally timidly glanced
at him, but ducked her head like
bird when her eyes met his.
1t was case of love vt first sight.
The young people had few words to ex-
change. Their hearts were too busy
with the first delicious sensation of love.
Time went on, and Ben became
weekly visitor at old Georges log
house.
One day the lovers were sitting on
rude bench out in the orchard. Birds
sang love songs up among the waving
foliage. Bees doomed in the clover.
and butterflies dappled in the air with
many fast-changing hues. Soft breezes
wheeled slowly about them, half swoon-
| ing with delicious odors. Like rose
| overborne with dew, the head of the
/ young girl rested on leaning shoulder.
A small hand, like little brown bird,
nestled in big, strong palm. All the
| Joys known before, all the blisses the
future promised, seemed to gather
and commingle in that sweet hour. The
couple were speechless, awed into 81
lence by what they heard, felt and saw.
Ere long golden butterfly, on wab-
bling wing, zigzagged to their harbor.
1t flashed about their heads for sec
ond OF two, then hesitatingly rested
on the twined hands of the lovers. Not
knowing what he did, Ben let fall his
free hand and crushed the butterfly.
Its frail wings fell in Flora's lap.
"Oh, poor thing!" she exclaimed,
looking at Ben with eyes of soft re-
buke.
81 didn't aim to do that" said Ben, re-
morsefully.
Then next day Ben Madden received
an order from Cincinnati factory foi
a half million slaves. The price of
fered convinced him instantly, that
could he raise the requisite capital to
begin filing the order, a small fortune
awaited him within few months
The money-making spirit seized him
and drove love into the rear He rode
here and there, trying to borrow the
money, but failed.
But he wouldn't let that fortune gt
by. after knocking SO loudly at hi
door. The widow of the late Johi
! Armstrong lad $4,000. He Instant.
! wooed, won and welded the "widder.
/ Flora, while yet young girl close
? her empty heart against love forever
In the hot, blighting heat OF eyeryda.
t life her dawn-dream melted away
J Handsome young men came a-wooing
A but she laughed at theii pleadings, an
sent them away.
"Here is my heart, my love-" sh
o said one day to young man who wa
fearful in his pleadings, and sh
!. showed him the wings of the dead bui
e terfy.
e At last Albert Osborne, bachelor
Ie thought to be wealthy, came to WOO.
e. "Certainly I'll marry you," sal
y Flora. almost before the question wa
y finished.
4. 81 had feared you didn't love me,
n n said the happy man, seizing her coz
: hand.
u, "Did I say loved you?" she aske'
), with queer smile.
;s They married. After the birth of
N daughter Osborne died, and then tn
~ widow learned that the estate OF he
late husband was in such wreck tht
only a pitiful sum could be reseue,
Her father soon died and left her II
old "home place." where she live
US alone with her little daughter ther
at after. The child grew, and as 81
ed neared the line of womanhood 81
= = turned into the exact image OF IL
mother at her age.
it Ben Madden had long been a ri'
he old "widower." Passing the house
." his erstwhile sweetheart one day
Die was startled at beholding girl IN u
- yard that was the living picture
>; one he had loved just 20 years befoI
mhu m The sight of her stirred the dan
ne m ashes in his old greedy heart ana !
;n ' Some living Goals were found!
The old man thought OF the moi