Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-07-21

noon they returned, and beside cold
spring that dubbed beneath rock
they opened their lunch baskets. Then
they picked flowers hunted for win
tergreen and decked the horse and
wagon with ferns and wreaths Of lau-
rel-only simple country pleasures, it
Is true, but they at least had the
charm of newness for two of the party
That evening they sang all sorts Of
songs from gospel hymns to comic
operas, and Blanch showed in so many
ways that she admired her new found
friend that there was no further re-
straint
II wish you would stay with me I'M
til my school begins, Blanch," said
Alice at the close Of the evening. "If
you knew how lonely I am, am sure
you would
II might be persuaded to make q
longer visit next summer" was the
answer, ''if you will return this visit
next winter. VIII your"
II won't promise now" answered
Alice. 81 am afraid should be out OF
place in your society. I'm only coun-
try girl, you know"
II shall feel hurt IL you DON'T" re-
sponded Rlanch.
II should like to see that schoolhouse
Frank has spoken of several times"
she said little later, "and that bare
foot girl he told about"
1t was the first allusion to his inter
est in her that Blanch had made, and
Alice colored.
1--WE will drive by where that girl
lives tomorrow" responded Alice, ''and,
If you like, will call and see her. She
is the most original little old woman
in my school,"
The next morning, when Frank and
his sister were alone for a few mo-
ments, she said, Il am going to do you
a good turn today, Sir Mahomet, and
have headache" and, laughing lit
tie, '.if you are wise you will improve
your opportunities and persuade your
Sweet Alice to go after poad lilies
and leave me here"
II could not think of going after
lilies" Alice replied when he proposed
the trip, ''and leaving your sister alone,
and then it Is almost too warm to be
out in the sun this morning. If she
feels better this afternoon we will go
there when the sun gets part way
down."
Blanch kept quiet all the morning
and after dinner was the first to pro-
pose another trip to the lily pond. II
am in love with that old MILL" she
said, land 1 want to see it when the
sun gets down so it will be shady
there"
When they reached the spot she at
once developed an unusual interest in
the mill and began an animated con-
versation with the miller regarding 1t
and its history.
You two go after lilies." she said
when Frank had the boat ready, "and
leave me here. I'm afraid the sun on
the water will bring back my head
ache"
"All right, only your smiles will be
wasted on the miller He Is too old to
appreciate them. We won't be gone
long" said Alice as she stepped into
the boat. And now what spirit of mis-
chief had come over her? She juked
and Tested on all manner of subjects
the boat, his rowing. Blanch's interest
in the miller-and her blue eyes spar
kled with roguish intent She barred
one round arm to the elbow and, pull
Ing every bud and blossom she could
reach, pelted her cavalier with them.
did you learn that stroke at col
lege," she asked when one Of his oars
slipped, ''or Is that the way yachts
man always rows?"
In response to all this he said but lit
tie. for he was thinking how best to
say what was on his mind He headed
the boat for the shore. and as it came
to stop he said: Lets get out and sit
on the bank, Miss Page. want to
rest"
ooh. we must not stop. It's almost
shutdown, and, besides, want more
lilies"
won't you get out Miss Pager he
asked. 1--WE something want to say
to you and-and it's nice to sit in the
shade and talk
Without word or even a look she
arose and, taking his proffered hand,
TJ-VSS,