The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-07-05

VINO was that Fellow, III, he asked,
Fred Taggart?"
yes. father"
81 thought so. Come to say good-by.
didn't he? Well. I'm sorry for old man
Taggart; he sets the world by that boy.
An It's pity. too. Fred was the smart
est feller round here at one time. for
young chap. an seemed to have the
maxim of something uncommon. But
the sma- tness has all frazzled out now
in kid gloves an squeakin' boots; an
he's goin' up to the city to work for six
dollars a week. when his fathers got the
finest farm round here. an Fred could
have the runnin' OF II in a few years II
he'd stay. Well. welll Fools amt all
dead yet But here comes Hank. Guess
he wants to see you. Ell"
Elsie had been slipping into the house
with heightened color. but turned back.
Hank was the son of their nearest neigh
Dor. and was a good. whole-souled fell
low. with clear head and energetic hab-
its. but woefully .diffident and slow OF
speech. Elsie liked him. but had never
cared to analyze what Hanks feelings
might be toward her
AS he approached them the young man
nodded to her father. who was moving
away toward the barn. and then turned
to her expectantly. with the color rising
slowly to the roots of his hair. But not
until her father was out of hearing did
he speak.
Elsie" he began then, bashfully.
Fred just said good-by to me. He'll
be gone for long time"
YES" tentatively. "he said good-by
to me-"
There's that rehearsal to-night-Sat-
urday night. you know. Elsie" he went
on. TITS quite long walk. and-and
you'll be needing somebody to go with
you. Thought I'd better run over before
any Of the other boys got round"
Il can go alone just as well as not.
Hank. It's bright moonlight"
"Yes, yes, know it's" desperately.
But there's rehearsals next week, and
church tomorrow night, and-and
there's all summer long. and all next
winter. 1t won't be moonlight all the
time. You'll need somebody to walk
with you. OF course l amt asking you
to keep company with me-" hurriedly;
''only-only you'll need somebody till
Fred gets back, and I'm handiest."
I'm not engaged to Fred" proudly.
NO, of course not I.know that-or
thought so. But he sort Of kept company
with you. and-and-Im handiest, Elsie
and you'll sure need somebody, and
and you and l will understand"
She looked at him thoughtfully.
Yes, you and l would understand
Hank" she said. "and maybe will need
somebody sometimes. I-yes. you may
come for me, Hank"
The rest came about naturally. Hank
became Elsie's steady company, as the
neighboring young people said; but
| Hank and Elsie themselves understood
And Fred, when he returned home for q
I few days at Christmas, understood, too
and he wrung Hanks hand and called
him a good fellow for protecting his gir
| from the other boys
Before the end Of the next year there
was a rumor that Fred's father was no
quite satisfied. The firm had not ad
vanced Fred as IL ought. He was still
receiving six dollars a week, and none!
had to be sent from home to pay for hi
clothes; then his letters were filled will
theaters and the proper things in higl
life, with nothing about his work.
By this time Hank had developed init
tall, broad-shouldered young man
perfectly capable of managing the farm
which was now almost wholly under hi
care.
Then one day Fred suddenly appeared
among them, jaunty as ever. and hom
for good, as he said. The city was to-
crowded and unsatisfying; and besides
his father needed him to manage tn
farm. And all he brought for his tw
years work and the money sent him wa
large diamond which flashed upon on
of his fingers. and experience.
The very night of his arrival h
dressed himself with all the elaborate
ness Of his city knowledge and wen
across to Elsie's home. She receive
him in the parlor. in the pretty whit
dress which he remembered she wa
having made for her graduation. A
she entered the room. something in he
bright, winsome beauty, so differen
from the chalky compilations OF tn
! shop girls he had become acquainte
with, made him step forward impul
sively.
why, you're beautiful. Elsie" he ez
claimed. 'T had no idea. It's fine to b
home again. Amt you glad to see me?
"Yes, indeed am, Fred" she answere
frankly. as she gave him both her hands
TT will be nice to have you with
again"
Fred laughed complacently and settle
himself comfortably in the easiest chai
in the room. "Oh. by the way. Elsie,
he said presently, mother told me ther
was to be a party over to Hulls Wedne'
day night. Shall we go? haven't &C
i, my invitation yet, but tell come soon
they hear I'm home"
"Yes. you'll get it all right" Elsi
agreed. But | can't go with you. Free
I've promised Hank He's got cousi
staying at his house. though, nice CIR
Suppose you ask her?"
! NO. thank you" smilingly, 81
rather have you. It'll be all right abot
: Hank. I'll see him myself and tell hil
: he's of duty"
The color deepened little in Elsie
/ cheeks.
= "I don't believe Hank will agree
E that. Fred" she said demurely. "We'r
20 be married at Christmas, and he don
: seem to want me out of his sight sing
eysning. But he'll be here in few mil
. utes now. You can ask him and see.'
, Philippine Scouts School
A school of English has been institute
a for the Philippine scouts on the resel
: walton at the worlds fair. Chaplai