Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-27
SHORT STORY BY LILLE MAE ANTHONY.

1 hAtA AuIAhAkhN ~ haa Nh-A1N
your mind and 60 back to town with me.
Ralph" said Harold Cummings to his boon
companion. Captain Ralph Lorrimer Of the
til hussars.
why, man. you will become half-fos-
sillzed yourself in that length Of time, spent
in this graveyard OF a place" he added, as
Captain Ralph gave a negative shake Of the
head.
Cant help It, old fellow. Had to go
some place away from the mater. For
what with the praises OF the wealthy Miss
Lands chanted in my ears at every oppor-
tune or inopportune time through the day,
and being compelled to dance attendance on
her decidedly plain self in the evening. 1
was actually growing thin. / should not be
surprised II 1 we're getting gray" and the
captain gave a low laugh. that did one good
to hear, AS he lifted his soft felt hat from
his head and ran his fingers through the
thick chestnut curlr. .t
"Ha. hal no silver threads there yet, old
fellow" laughed his ehum as they paused
in their walk across the station platform.
Though, really, L sympathize with you
sincerely. I could not go the lands lady
at any price"
They had reached the end Of the platform
facing a strip Of woodland whose lofty
trees stood out In bold relief against the
distant blue hills.
Not such a bad place IL you could only
find some pretty girl to firt with just for
pastime," unused Harold Cummings, as his
eyes roved over the fair landscape, bathed
In a soft June sunshine.
Hello, there's my train"
AS the slow accommodation train pulled
/ into the station OF Bancroft Cummings
ieaped aboard with q last farewell while
Lorrlmer, after watching the train out OF
sight with a slight regret that he was not
aboard. struck out into a green lane that
led through the woodland and, eventually,
to his temporary boarding place at the
Hartley farm. =
Some pretty girl to firt with" unused
he. as he clipped off the heads of the road
side flowers with his light walking stick.
" 'Twould liven things up a little, but
don't suppose the whole village OF Ban
croft and vicinity boasts OF a personality
more charming than the sour-visaged
daughter of mine host or her blooming
checked friend. Sallie Higgins. No, l shall
have to rely on the fine fishing and hunt
ing which Farmer Jones assured me was
always to be had around here.
'I tell you cant walk any further, and 1
won't, SO there came in a shrill childish
voice that broke upon the ears of Captain
Ralph with startling distinctness, as he
was fastening homeward through the gath
ering dusk.
He cast a quick, searching look about
him, but failed to locate anything In the
shape Of a child. A few rapid strides
brought him to the edge Of the strip Of
woodland. Here. the last rays Of daylight
revealed, a few yards in front Of him. a
low stlle, and this was evidently the spot
- .afaAn ~ So Ne nARa-
planning. Seated on the top step was a
small lad stoutly asserting his intention
Of not moving one step, while his COM
panion, evidently a young girl of about
IS years, was endeayoring to persuade him
to come on. f,..
Cecil, dear, do hurry. 1t is getting so
dark and you are too heavy for Bernice to
carry. Come, now, It is not much farther"
coaxed a sweet, tired voice.
Captain Lorimer. had by this reached the
party at the stile and bis advent caused
the small a~utocrat to cease his sobs and
stare curiously at the newcomer.
Hello. young man, what is all this fuss
about?" he said,sf addressing the
youngster. Then to the young lady
he added, lifting his hat with a Winning
smile, "You seem to be having some dim
Guilty with your charge. Can l be Of any
assistance? II so, I am at your service"
There is nothing wrong, only Cecil
imagines he must be carried the remainder
Of the way home and he is getting too
heavy for me, lately" answered Bernice
Cameron, half apologeticaliy. but without
the embarrassment usually found in rustic
maidens. The voice was pure and wee
despite the utter WEAKNESS betrayed In the
soft tones. -,.
81 should think he u.s." said Captain
Ralph glancing from the chubby youngster
to the slender figure at his side as he
leaned his small rife against the fence.
Look here. my boy, suppose you take
a ride on my shoulder and suiting the
action to the word he swung the delighted
little fellow up to his perch.
"Now Miss-if you would kindly hand me
that small implement OF war we will soon
be on our way"
My name is Bernice Cameron" answered
the girl simply, as she picked up the gun
with a half timid motion.
Perhaps l had better carry this. You
will probably have your hands full with
that mischievous boy"
'You do not seem to have any great
fancy for the toy, Miss Cameron, so | had
better take it, said the captain with .
light laugh as he noticed her hesitation.
But your words emind me, l have not
lutIOuuSS0 myoNAAb SNPN
at your service"
The few minutes walk to the Grange
did not seem at all wearisome to tired
overworked Bernice, with such a genial
companion as she now had. But the young
man found time to ascertain a few facts
about his companion that made him desire
to see more OF her. AS they reached a side
gate near the house, Cecil scrambled
I down and ran of saying, I'm hungry ]
/ am" while Ralph Lorrimer fingered a mo-
ment with Berniee's little hand in his.
Surely you must have some leisure
time" he said. his rich voice low and
7 pleading,
Very, very little" Bernice nswer
with a little sigh. "f you knew Mrs. Max
we'll you would not need to ask"
Finally she admitted that she did some
times walk out in the afternoon. but usu-
D ally had one OF her small charges TO take
Then with a hurried Good night" she
= sped away up the path with a strange new
feeling in her heart that she did not dream
OF Analysing.
. During the days that followed the little
nursery governess of The Grange Learned
. to look forward to meeting the handsome
young soldier in her short walks abou