Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-01-10

meadow, but he was on one SIDE or
the river and l on the other, and we
just stopped to speak about birds for
a minute
Elinor smiled sardonically. "And
then" she said. "he kissed his hand
to you-not once, but several times,
and you"
Yes kissed your hand to him."
finished Caroline, as Elinor paused
and seemed unable to go on. Eyes,
Clarissa Maria, you kissed your hand
to him. We knew it because Sally
Porter was on the hill and heard your
voice and saw you do it."
"Oh!" cried Clarissa, her face
lighting up, che did not kiss his hand
to me. How could you think he would
be so silly? He was just showing me
how to call the birds around. You just
put your fingers to your lips and make
a smacking sound. so." and she H.
lustrated, "and somehow it makes the
birds come"
The elder sisters looked skeptical
''That is a very ingenious excuse
said Caroline. coldly. And how do
explain your conduct?"
There were tears in Clarissa's eyes
now. 81 just tried to see if | could
do it," she said. with little sob.
WELL" said Elinor. Il don't know
how many people will believe you.
You know what Sally Porter is like.
You'd better eat your breakfast and
start right out and see and explain
to all the people she has told the
story to- Come sit down, things will
be stone-cold."
'I--don't want any breakfast;
I'm not hungry" and Clarissa went
out of the room with her handker-
chief held to her eyes.
An hour later Elinor tried Clarissa's
door and found it locked. You'd bet
ter come down and eat something
she said, but there was no answer
and she went away.
An hour after that she came again.
This time she shook the door vigor-
ously. "Clarissa," she called in
subdued tone, come down stairs at
once. Deacon Upton is here and
wants to see you."
"Oh, I can't" cried Clarissa, in a
frightened voice.
"You must" said Elinor, emphatic
ally. "He says he will wait any
length of time, but he will see you"
When Clarissa entered the parlor
Deacon Upton rose to meet her.
Good morning, Miss Steele" he
said. Then they both remembered
that they had met before that morn
ing and there was an awkward pause.
She looked down at the carpet and
he looked at her.
Il think, Miss Clarissa,' he said.
desperately, when the silence had be-
come uncomfortable. 81 think that you
have heard the same thing that l
have" He ielt that he had expressed
himself vaguely, but she understood
and nodded her head without look
ing up. She tried to keep her lips
steady but she could not prevent the
tears from coming. When the deacon
saw them they seemed to give him
the courage of desperation.
81 cannot express to you my regret
that | was the cause.-the innocent
cause-of giving you pain. | would
do anything in my power for the
privilege of living over this morning
and omitting that scene. But only on
your account, remember" he went on,
impetuousiy, only on your account.
For myself, would not care who knew
or saw. I would not be content with
merely kissing my hand to you, either,
and would be willing to-er-do it on
the green in front of the postoffice in
sight of everybody"
Clarissa was looking at him now,
and the deacon moved his chair near
er. Her eyes made him think of
drowning violets. and he had strong
desire to save them.
"Clarissa," he said, "did you ever
want something very, very much,
but, knowing that it was far beyond
your reach. after a time almost for
got that you wanted it. and deceived
yourself into thinking that you were
happy without it? Did you, Clarissa?"
She nodded.
Well" he went on. that has been
my experience, and this morning some
thing happened that brought it all back
to me, and-oh. Clarissa! | don't see
how | can live without you any
longer"
She was silent for a moment, then
she said, softly 81 don't think you will
have to."-Susan Brown Robbins. in
the Chicago Record.