Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1904-11-30
figure in blue calico appeared at the
lower end Of the hall.


lower end Of the hall.
Mr.. Parry looked at the girl as she
came nearer.
She had a frank, happy, childllke
face, with large, bewitching gray eyes,
and quantity Of soft, short, curling
hair Of the true golden color, such as
is seldom seen except upon the sunny
lead Of very young child.
1.-THE hired girl, Of course. How live
ly she is! should like to paint her"
thought Mr.. Parry, as she busted some
-four from the prettiest hands and
arms in the world, and apologized to
him in very sweet voice for keeping
him waiting.
II had just begun to make biscuits
for tea, and could not come till now"
she said.
The artist, lost in admiration, gazed
at her SO persistently that sudden
warm blush ran over her pretty face.
do you wish to see Mr.. Rowland.
sir?" she asked.
"No-no-I-you-if I might have a
glass of water" stammered the unfor-
tunate artist.
Certainly, sir. Won't you step in
side while l get IT."
Like one in a dream, he followed her
into a cool and pleasant parlor, and
stood waiting till she returned from
the kitchen with a goblet Of water on
tray.
1T is from the coolest corner Of the
well. for I drew it myself" she said,
with bewildering smile.
John Parry drank it, and thought it
nectar. His mind was in a whirl, but
out Of the confusion a settled purpose
very gradually developed itself. And
when he set the glass down upon the
tray on the table, he proceeded to car
~ out that purpose by taking the girls
band and asking her point blank If she
would marry him.
"Slr" she exclaimed, drawing her
hand away, and turning pale with
fright, for she thought him a maniac.
Don't be alarmed" he said, more
calmly. II am in earnest. And I am
gentleman. There is my card. l
will give you any references as to my
responsibility you may DESIRE"
"But, SIR" she began. Then she
glanced at his card, and was silent.
Eyes, l know 1t seems strange and
perhaps rude to you." he said; but on
my honor don't mean 1t SO. All my
life long have had an ideal, and you
realize it for the first time. l am rich.
and l think may say good-tempered.
II you marry me, you will have but
one person to please hereafter instead
of many, as you have here. This
mental position is not suited to you.
BE my wife. and no young ladies will
ever again drive away for pleasure
and leave you to perform tasks like
these"
Like thessv repeated the girl. smil-
ing.
"Why, yes. You said you were max
ing biscuits for their supper. didn't
you7 Surely you cannot prefer the
place Of servant to being the beloved
wife Of q rich man, who will study to
make you happy in every way he
knowsf"
The hired girl looked down upon her
brown and dimpled hands a moment.
would you really marry me. sir, a
poor servant girlf" she asked, In an
altered and softened tone.
Indeed l would. Tomorrow. Here
in your own village, and among your
own friends" cried the artist. "You
are the sweetest, loveliest, dearest
flush" she answered gravely. ell
tell you, sir. In a week from now I'm
going among my friends. and II YOU
ed.
"l'll 60 to the end Of the world
Where is it," asked Mr.. Parry.
"Only to Saratoga, SIR"
Every well. One week from to-day
will be there. You'll marry me
then?"
She laughed, showing her little
cleaning white teeth, made him a rus
tic courtesy, and fairly ran away.
John Parry packed up his things
went to the inn, paid his bill, and
started tina, very night for Saratoga.
He had nearly reached that place
when he remembered, in utter conster
nation, that he did not even know hi.
leroine's name.
However, I'll soon find her Their,
Is but one such face in the world" b,
thought.
And after a week had passed, hi
sought for the girl diligently. every
where through Saratoga, but In vain.
One night he looked In disconsolate