Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-05

"You two 60 nfter lilies" she sale
when Frank had the boat ready, "ant
leave me here. I'm afraid the sun or
the water will bring back my head
ache"
"All right. only your smiles will b,
wasted on the miller. He Is too old Il
appreciate them. We won't be gop,
long" said Alice as she stcpped int
the boat. And now what spirit Of mis-
chief had come over her? She joket
and TESTED on all manner Of subjects
the boat. his rowing. Blnnch's interest
in the miller-and her blue eyes spar
Killed. with roguish intent. She barco
one round arm to the elbow and, pull
Ing every bud and blossom she could
reach, peltcd her cavalier with them.
did You learn that stroke at col
lege," she asked when one of his oars
slipped, cor is that the way yachts
man always rows?
| ~ response TO all this he said but 1T
tie for ne 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. l want to
rest"
"Oh. we must not stop. It's almost
shutdown, and, besides, I want more
lilies
Wont you get out. Miss Pager" he
asked. "Tve something I want to say
to you and-and It's nice to sit in the
shade and talk"
Without word or even n look she
arose and, taking his proffercd hand.
stepped out Of the boat Only n few
steps up Il messy bank offered it's temp
tation, md with quick gnllantiy he
drew his coat off and spread it for her
TO sit upon.
"Its nice and cool here" she said
"but we must not stay long. Blanch
| will be waiting
Frank had thought many times of
what he would say and how he would
shy it. but now that the critical mo-
ment had come his well chosen words
vanished. He had remained standing
and for a moment looked at Alice as
she sat with hat hidden face. and
then his heart burst came
Miss Page" ne said in low voice
you must know what | want to say.
and-and I've come all the way from
Maine to say it, and can you-is there
any hope for me! Is there just Il
littlo!"
He paused. but no answer came. only
her head sank a trihe lower and now
even the tip of her chin was invisible
beneath the hat 1t may be the move
ment emboldcned him. for in an in
slant he was beside her on the ground
and had one hand prisoner.
Tell mo, Alice" he pleaded. as
there any chance for me? Say Just
one word-only one. Say yes"
The prisoned hand was at his lips
now, and then she raised her face, and
oh, divine sight.-those blue eyes
were Filed with tears.
One instant flash OF heaven only
and then a change came. she arose
quickly and. turning away, said half
pctulantly: "Oh, please don't speak Of
that now and spoil our visit. Let US
go back to the mill"
But still he held the little hand, and
as she tried to draw it away lie said
pitifully: do you mean it. Alice?
Is it no? Oh don't let me go away
without one word of hope
Then she rc'pnd her one free arm
and. resting - rsainSt Il nearby tree
pressed her face upon it and almost
whispered: "Ob. don't ask me now.
can't say yes and | can't say no :"
II shall believe that your heart says
yes" he responded quickly, slipping
one arm around her waist, land until
you do say no shall keep on LOVING
you just the same
She drew herself away and turning
n pitcous face toward him. exclaimed.
Don't. please. say another word now,
or ! shall hate myself as long as
live if you do
For one moment he stood dumfound.
cd and then it dawned upon him.
Forgive me, sweet Alice. he said
softly. "for speaking too soon. l be-
lieve know why you feel as you do,
and I shall go away hoping that in
time you will come to know my mother
better. And since you have said that
you can't say no. l shall anticipate
that some time 1t will be yes Now
we will go and gather lilies"
Then. as he led her to the boat. his
arm once more stole around her waist,
and this time she did not try to escape
its pressure.
When two days afterward, the broth.
or and sister We're ready to depart,
Blanch put one arm caressingly around
Alice and whispered. "Now. remember
you have promised to make me Il visit
next winter, and you must keep yOuI
promise"
And poor Romeo, standing by. had
to look the love that was in his heart
while he envied his sister her parting
kiss.
CHAPTER xxx.
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