Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1902-06-12

flowers and busy, serious face; boy
on the wall above, morosely watching
her-these are what the June sun
shone down upon, long ago.
The child's eager fingers had deity
put the flowers together, and one hand
dragged the pink ribbon from her hair.
With an effort of generosity she select
ed sprig of heliotrope from the rest.
You may have that, Tom," she said,
tossing it upon the wall.
The ribbon tied about the stems, and
the arrangement held out for mo-
ment's anxious inspection, she sprang
to her feet, and running down the path
and up the steps of the veranda,
| pushed open the green-shuttered door
of the hail.
At the farther end her father was
taking leave of two-days' guest-a
young man in a scarlet uniform and
much gold lace, whose horses and SER
want stood at the steps. The little girl
went forward swiftly and held out the
flowers to the visitor, looking shyly up
into his face.
The young soldier took them gallant
ly. This is indeed an honor" he
said. with quick smile-"a posey
from the fairest lady in all this fair
| provincei Mistress Betty may be sure
they shall be among my treasured pos
sessions-that 1 shall keep them al
| ways"
The child drew back, and ran to the
big window to watch the departure,
straining her eyes to catch the last
| glimpse of the red coat as it disap-
peared through the trees, spot of ex-
| element burning on each cheek. He
had been pleased-a real soldier, who
had fought the Indians-he was going
to keep her flowers foreveri
Ia, child, you have worked your
self into very feverl" the voice of
her governess exclaimed. GO out for
a walk with your cousin, do, and cool
your cheeks. And be sure you don't
turn back until you reach the gate"
Betty got her hat obediently. Tom
was cross-he didn't like her hero;
but nothing could mar the beauty of
the day for that proud, happy little
heart.
The grass was checkered with shade
and sunshine all down the avenue.
Near the end, the blue bay, with its
dots of white sails, came in view.
They had reached the great stone gate
posts-and between them lay her flow
ers, in the dust!
The boy picked up the soiled ribbon.
Never mind, Betty" he said, though
his eyes were full of anger. Hes not
worth crying for"
The little teeth shut down sharply
on the red lip. I'm not crying" she
said.
Eight peaceful years had passed, and
then another wherein there was no
peace-for the colonies were shaking
themselves free of leading strings.
But in the little water-lapped city
there were no signs of the strife. The
June sun was shining down again, Sc
renely, on the garden, and the flowers
were giving out their lavish mingling
of odors on the still air.
In the morning room, through the
open windows of which the garden
sounds and scents were drifting, a
white-capped spinster, the governess of
| gOlCs was POuilh6 OuI a
flow of tea for herself, and grievances
to the morose young officer before the
fireplace.
81 never go away" she protested
injuredly, ''but something happens.
The whole town has greeted me with
questions about Betty's new beau, and
/ with never a word to answeri Bet
ty tells me nothing, but only laughs.
She has gone off now to make the
black and white cockades that the
commander-in-chief has ordered in
compliment to our French allies, and
he has followed her. Your uncle,
suppose, is satisfied. For my own part
1 believe he is a Tory-his refusing a
commission is certainly suspicious;
though, to be sure, his manners are
charming; and l confess he seems not
to have aged a month since he staid
here before, ten years ago. What is
! your opinion of the match, captain?"
The young man put down his cup.
His manners, as you say, are his
strong point" he answered, contempt
uously; but my cousin, of course, will
choose to suit herself" and taking up
his hat he turned from the room.
The woman sighed, and poured her
self another cup of tea. HE is as
taciturn as ever" she murmured;
though considering the dance Betty
has led him all these years he takes it
remarkably quiet, poor boyi"
The object of her pity had paused
outside the door, and then aimlessly
crossed the hall to his uncle's study;