Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-07-26
In THE ORCHARD.
by ALICE r. ALLEN.

Now, Betty, in some environments, would
not be called beautiful But when a girl,
with the freshness and sweetness Of spring
time in her face, arrays herself in pale blue
gown, and puts herself into seat made by
the low bent bough OF an old apple tree,
against background Of green leaves, with
an aureole Of rosy blooms about her, the
chances are that she will present an alto
gether charming picture.
Betty was arranging some blue prints ar
tistically in a large gray album, which lay
in her lap Occasionally she hummed
snatches Of song below her breath stop
ping abruptly when she remembered the
close proximity Of the young minister and
his embryo sermon.
At length, glancing up, she said, anxious
ly: Isn't your sermon about done, Mr.
Raynor?"
Paul looked guilty. Not quite be said.
'In fact, I've scarcely made beginning"
"Oh, dear, said Betty, sorrowfulIy "and
I'm just bubbing over with questions"
Rev. Paul Raynor closed the ponderous
volume. With a sigh OF relief he flung him
self on the grass hear Betty. I'll write it
by and by" he said. Il can seem to collect
my thoughts out here in the orchard with
you. Betty"
That's strange, Mr. Raynor, said Betty,
smoothing down a print lightly. Il have
my very best thoughts out here. And I've
tried, truly, to keep still so as not to distract
you" she added, holding off her album at
arms length and regarding the page with
critical eye.
You've been distraetingly quiet, Betty
said the young man, with quick glance Of
al 8, pa4+v-'c Il fpaa4inr
Then I'll talk, said the girl, quickly.
I'm consumed with curiosity about the
wedding. Do tell me about it"
.'Oh, twas much like all weddings" said
Paul, indifferently.
"All weddings are delightful, said Betty,
emphatically. "Of course there were flow
ers and music and pretty gowns
"Of course" said Paul; land best of all,
Betty, there was the prettiest little bride"
In her eagerness Betty dropped her mu
eilage brush.
1.-THE bride!" she exclaimed. "She's just
the one | want to ask about How did she
look? What did she wear? Though don't
suppose you can tell-men never can"
TRY me and see" said Paul, as ne handed
up the little brush and dropped lazily back
into the grass.
''Well, said Betty, propping up her pref
ty chin in both hands and leaning forward
eagerly, first, was she tall or short-stout
or slender?"
Paul's grave glance travelled from the
soles OF Bettys small boots up-up to her
pretty, wind blown, brown hair.
''She was about your size, he said, slow
ly. "And she moved about in the same way
las if every motion was set to music"
Betty shot him quick, qwzzical glance as
she went on with the eatech&m.
Good Was she dark or fair?"
Paul studied the charming face brimful
of mischief for long long minute, until
the warm color stole slowly into the smooth
cheeks.
"She was fair-veryy he said, with en-
phasis, like yourself. Her coloring remind
ed me Of apple blossoms"
How nice" said Betty, with charming
disregard Of her red cheeks. well, let me
see, her hair"
what color is your hair, Betty?' asked
Paul, irrelevantly.
Brown" answered Betty, promptly.
"Why?1
Because" said the young man, quietly,
'|the brides hair reminded me of yours. 1t
had the same way Of curling about the neck
and forehead"
yes" said Betty, her eyes dancing.
"'Now we c5me to her eyes"
"Her eyes were as blue as"
''The skies. Of course" prompted Betty
"No," said Paul, still gravely intent upon
her face, bluer than that-as blue as your
own eyes, Betty. And her mouth, . he went
on, "made me think of yours-it seemed
made only to-"
"Pout." said Betty, coolly, with a quick
and wholly charming demonstration of her
own powers in that direction. "Well, that's
enough about the bride. She wasn't very
interesting person after all.
IL beg your PARDON said Rev Paul, Sc
riously. "she was most interesting to me-"
"Wen. she isn't to me, and l must 60"
said Betty, hurriedly gathering up her I'M
mounted prints and rising from her low
seat.
"But her gown" said Paul, enticingy,
s'Wait, Betty, haven't told you about that,
you know
MEN never know anything about gowns"
said Betty. Confess now, twas white
and that's all you know about it.
sit was white of course said Paul walk
ing beside her, carrying her album. 1T was
soft, thin, silky stuff--like atwhite one of
yours, Betty"
That's old muslin" said Betty, in dis
dain. Il don't think much of your bride,
Mr.. Raynor-'
Il shall think the world of her-when /
win her," said Rev. Paul. with tender sig
nificance.
Afterward Betty didn't know just how
it all happened She looked up Paul Ray
nor looked down. The next instant both
her hands were held fast in his, and he was
saying:
Betty"
'T--I-thought il was" she began
Its no one in all the world but you
Bettvi" he said.--National Magazine
$500.
VIII DO No More Sliding
A sliding pole in the engine-house
facilitates the descent of the firemen
when they are in a hurry to reach the
ground floor. -Four ladies visited an
engine-house in Yonllers, y. Y, and
one of them, Miss Sallie Eisler, who
weighs 900 pounds, thought it would
L. rrrand thing TO slide down the