The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1902-01-17


looked longingly at the door through
which she had just entered, as though
outside of it lay his one chance OF
safety; and then he SAT down and
asked explosively if her hens had be-
gun to lay or whether they were still
moulting. And then, without waiting
for an answer, he dived into his pocket
and drew out two big apples.
''Thank you; they are beauties"
Emma said, smiling.
Game off your tree?"
"My tree?"
eyes; big one in the corner. I've
called it yours ever since-since-"
His throat seemed closing up.
'Since what, Mr.. Alston?"
''Since that day when you were little
and you said-er-you wanted some
blossoms" Was his tongue going to
be paralyzed? He knew he had started
right, that these apples were to lead
up to what he had come to say, but
something was wrong.
Blossoms? I don't understand"
yes; apple blossoms; and they were
and you said-you said you'd be my"
but his tongue absolutely refused to
pronounce the delicious word. He was
thrilling to his finger tips.
'Well, 1 promised to be your what?"
Sweetheart" The word was little
more than a whisper; it was as if his
heart had dubbed up effervescently
and overfowed his tongue.
"Your sweetheart? That was a
rash promise" and she laughed. In
none of the books had the heroine
laughed at such time "Did you get
me the blossoms?"
eyes, 1 held you up" he STAN
mered.
"Oh, yes, you held me up to reach
the flowers, recollect."
"And when 1 lifted you up, you put
your-your arm around my-neck"
He stopped a moment to catch his
breath, then went on heroicaIly:
"And from that minute I have never
thought of anybody else fora wife. :"
"Why, this must have happened
eight years ago"
'Ten last blossom time" he said,
not daring to look up, for her voice
did not tremble as the story books
said it should. He was losing hope.
81 was only eight years old then"
eyes, L know. I've been waiting"
'You were very good to me; re-
member you always gave me the big
gest apples"
Eyes" But he dared not look up;
the story books said she should
blush and stammer. The color ebbed
out of his face.
"Was l very heavy when you held
me up?" she asked, breaking the
pause.
"NOt above common. In fact I
never felt any weight except-your
arm on my neck" Then the color
came back in a rush "You kissed
me when put you down." he said,
reverently.
'.HOw shockingly improper, and I
eight years old!"
How could she laugh over thing
so sacred? Then he tried to recall
the plan of his dialogue, and said:
''Tve planted hollyhocks up and down
the front walk"
"Have you?" Again he was re-
buffed. He had hoped she would say
they were her favorite flowers. All
the heroines did such things.
do you like snowballs and sweet
be3sies?"
Not particularly"
And the garden was full of them,
planted for her! Presently he stole
look at her, and the misery tight
ened about his heart. In none of the
story books had the girl sat calmly
thus while the hero poured out his
heart to her. Then he made last
effort.
81 suppose it wouldn't be right to
hold girl to a promise she made
when she was only eight years old?"
mot unless she was willing"
"And you amt willing?"
''No." Then she added softly:
''The fact is, I'm soon to be mar
RED"
He got up slowly. "Good-by, Miss
Emma; reckon better go and see
your Pa again about that cider"
In the hall he looked ruefully at
his hat before taking it from the
rack.
Didn't belong here after ALL" he
said, and went away
''Must have been bad TOOTH" tn .
first lounger said as he saw him drive
past.
''Yes, Lap looks like he was about
yanked in two. Tooth must have
broken off,"
But it was not a tooth that had
broken; it was a lonely, human
! heart.
Vaccination in the Hub.
Ii was at dinner party. The
bright young man found himself priv