The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06


business. l have no hcsitancy in pro-
nouncinS Roseville the prettiest place
in the world. for everybody has rose
garden. Moreover. wild roses bloom all
along the roadside, and some species
Of rose-creeper climbs the rough bark
of the outstanding trees, and hangs
clusters of odorous blossoms from the
swaying boughs.. The houses are all
respectable country seats, the people
all comfortable. i don't believe there
is beggar or cripple in the town.
And into this modern Eden. n mile
from the railroad station, l walked one
day.
1t was June, and all the air was
fragrant. The bluebirds We're fitting
about, and the robins were singing on
the stone walls. Some late apple trees
were in blossom, and everybody's doors
and windows We're open to let in the
scents. and sounds, and sights OF carly
summer
Suddenly carriage. driven by boy,
came around the corner of Il road. At
the same moment little Blenheim
poodle, white as wool, rushed from a
dooryard, and dashed under its wheels.
/ heard sharp scream. saw a distract
ed'blre cambria wrapper rushing after,
and threw myself. all on the impulse
of the instant, into the melee. To seize
the bits and raise the shiverng and
whining animal from the dust was but
the work of n moment. AS l bore it
toward the house, Nab. in Mab's blue
cambric wrapper, with Mab's eyes, met
me.
"Oh. thank you! thank you a thou
sand times! Oh, Sir, do you think he is
killed."
AS the dog. at that moment. gave n
sharp yelp. I ventnred to proclaim
that he probably was not killed.
''My darling! My dear, dear little
Snoww she murmured, taking the
dusky and dismal little wretch into
the lovely shelter of her bosom. AS
she was turning away 1 experienced
a sudden and brilliant thought.
'Does not Miss Flint live hcre:'
Eyes, sir" replied Nab. pausing with
her closely -clasped burden.
II was about to call on Miss Flint"
I said. most falsely.
Then Nab looked at me again, and
am free to confess that never before
Or since saw l such lovely eyes.
Walk in, if you please she said,
"and will speak TO aunty.'
1 congratulated myself on having dis
covered so much-that she was Miss
Flint's niece. But l was quite desper-
ate for an errand. Miss Flint ap-
peared.
'Miss Flint" said I. rising and bow
ing, Il have lately heard that your
brother-in-law, Judge living, of Maple
ton, is very ill., AS was in your vi.in-
ity. I thought l would call and tell
you, thinking. perhaps, that you had
not heard of it,
"a relapse:" she inquired. anXiousiy.
"No--no-not that 1 am aware Of
"My brother was ve-y.ill some six
weeks ago, but 1 heard yesterday that
he was cOnvalescent."
"Ah! well, hearing the report so late
ly, supposed his illness of recent
date" replied Miss Flint will give
me credit for good intentions.
Certainly. You look warm, sir
Will you not take some refreshment"
Miss Flint offered me some lemonade.
I partook freely. 1 fingered half an
hour, talking of everything under the
sun, but was at length forced to depart
without seeing Nab again.
MY home was at Irving. the town ad-
Joining Roseville. I returned there
that night, but could not forget those
hnnutnl
public gathering. every party and pic
mic of the neighborhood. but failed ut
terly to see or hear of Nab. For 1
learned her name. Nab Merle, from
Miss Flint, who had casually mentioned
her.
AS time passed my hopes We're sub
jected to repeated disappointment.
dreamed of Mab's eyes. and cared for
nobody elsc's eyes. My sisters said l
suiked. and the younger female portion
of our community pronounced me n
bear.
The summer passed and fall came.
had plenty to Go. for had a farm, of
my own, and autumn is busy season
with farmers.
A livery stable keeper in the city had
purchased some hay of me. My. man
Sam was sick. and not being too proud
to take load - hay to town myself,
I started.
1t was Il days trip. The sun began
to set rs WAS on my way home. The
birds hushed their twitterinGs in the
trees. and the air blew cool and laden
with dew. Gradually the beams of the
moon gave a soft light to the scene.
and the horses settled into quiet
walk.
AS we were thus leisurcly proceed
ing. horse and light buggy whirl"d
out Of a crossroad, and suddenly the