The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-01-22
asked a voice behind her.

Miranda Jane started, and blushed
under her limp sunbonnet. She had
not known that sic was thinking
aloud.
Eyer scarf me, JIM" she said,
without turning around. Il wonder
you amt up on the hill with the rich
folks"
I'D ruther be here" he answered
with one of his CHEEKY laughs, as he
seated himself on the stump near
her. Say, Miranda Jane" he went
on abruptly, you amt never seen
anything hereabouts, have you, of a
gal that would like to be Mrs. Shade?"
Miranda James heart beat so loud.
1y, that she thought he must hear it.
This wasn't at all the way she had
imagined he would begin. She was
only simple, ignorant girl, and the
man at her side was not bit like
the daintily-reared, elegantly-clad and
polsshed-mannered heroes of romance.
Bat he was her only hope Of salvation
from the almshcuse; for who would
give employment to one who did not
even know the rudiments of house
keeping, and there was no longer
room for her in the old home, wretch.
ed though it was.
After a fashion, too, Miranda Jane
really loved Jim. He was big, good.
natured and broad-shouldered fel-
low, who was kind even to the small
est of Gods creatures, and never
spent his earnings for the coarse
pleasures INDUCED in by the other
men of her acquaintance.
He often said, in his qua;ntly hum.
orous way, that he was born for bet.
ter things; and he meant to have his
rights some day. Miranda Jane thrill.
ed with pride to hear this great,
strong fellow half afraid to openly de.
clare his love; but she was in no
hurry to let him know that she meant
to accept him.
You know Sal Perkins never comes
down here" she said. with shy lit.
tie glance from under her sunbon-
net. She's too rich-too crazy"
Il amt looking for Sal. | don't like
her red hair and freckles. The gal I'm
looking for has yelier hair like sun.
shine, eyes like a bit of clear blue sky,
and cheeks like June cherries, all pink
and cream. You amt seen such q
girl hereabouts, have you?"
1T must be Mary Ann Feed. cross
the creek" she answered thoughtful.
ly. She's got light hair"
TOW hair" he retorted, scornfully,
as he moved nearer to her. You know
as well as do, Miranda Jane, who I'm
looking for"
How should / know" she replied,
digging her bare toes deeper into the
mud, you amt never told me-"
1--WE allus bin half afeared to-" he
said, trying to get hold of the not over
clean. but small, shapely hands that
norvously toyed with the frayed hem
of her faded apron.
Miranda Jane, like Jim, had ma
ture capable of better things than her
hard life had developed in her; and
she possessed, moreover, the instincts
Of born coquette.
"'Oh just to think, afeared of .
gal,
An me just six-foot two"
she sang mockingiy. ~
He laughed, though he flushed to
the roots of his curly brown hair.
"Well. Miranda Jane. when a fell
ler's sure of himself, and not sure OF
the gal, he kinder breads to have he:
laugh at him"
The gal wouldn't laugh if she
loved him." Miranda replied in low
tone.
Then you do know of a gal here
abouts that's willing to be Mrs. Shade,
don't you, Miranda Jane?" And he
boldly put his arm about her.
Il amt said So" was the quick re-
ply, as the girl drew herself away
from him with the air of a queen.
while she wondered whether she was
acting as her favorite heroine would
act under the same trying circum-
stances.
Say, Miranda Jane" he said, coax.
ingly. as he once more drew her to-
ward him, lets go TO x this al
ternoon. get a license. and surprise
| folks by coming home married. The
cabins ready for you at any time, and
l need you.'
Miranda James face was radisnt and
rosy under the limp sunbonnet, as
Jim boldly pressed his first kiss on
her lips.
That evening saw Miranda Jane in,
stalled as mistress of the little two
roomed cabin on the hill above the
flats; and it was wonderful to see
what gift for housekeeping she de
veloped. The rooms were always
sweet and clean; and she herself
fresh and neat in her simple calicoes
She no longer envied, or even read OF
dime novel heroines. for she herself
was living a romance as sweet. If
more pure and simple. as any she had
ever read. And she and Jim are slow
ly striving together for the "rigats"
Of the higher and better life to which
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