The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-06-10

| 1ci SCdIl Hc, jim, Sic Silu, WITHOUT
turning around. 81 wonder you amt
up on the hill with the rich folks"
"Id rutker 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 here
abouts, have you, of Il gal that would
like to he Mrs. Shade"
Miranda James heart beat SO loudly,
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 a bit like the daintily-rcared,
elegantly clad and polishcd-mannered
heroes of romance. But he was her only
hope of salvation from the almshouse,
for who would give employment to one
who did not even know the rudiments of
housekeeping, and there was no longer
room for her in the old home, wretched
though it was.
After a fashion, too, Miranda Jane
really loved jim. He was big, good
natured and broad.shouldered fellow,
who was kind even to the smallest 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 quantity numerous |
way, that he was born for better things; !
and he meant to have his rights some
day. Miranda Jane thrilled with pride |
to hear this great, strong fellow half
afraid to openly declare 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 a shy little
glance from under her sunbonnet. "She's
too rich--too crazy"
Il amt looking for Sal. l don't like
her red hair and freckles. The gal I'm
looking for has WELLER hair like sunshine,
eyes like bit of clear blue sky, and
checks like June cherries, all pink and
cream. You amt seen such girl here
abouts, have your"
at must be Mary Ann Reed, cross the
creek," she answered thoughtfully. "She's
got light hair"
Tow hair" he retorted, scorniully, as
he moved nearer to her "You know as
we'll as | do, Miranda Jane, who I'm
looking for"
How should l know she replied,
digging her bare toes deeper into the
mud. you amt never told me-"
I've allus been half afeared to-" he
said, trying to get hold of the not over
clean, but small, shapely hands that
ncrvously toyed with the frayed hem on
her faded apron.
Miranda Jane, like Jim, had nature
capable of better things than her hard life
had developed in her; and she possessed,
moreover, the Instincts ola born coquette.
ooh justto think, afearcd of a gal,
An me just six-foot two"
she sang mockingly.
He laughed, though he flushed to the
roots of his curly brown hair
"Well Miranda Jane, when a feller's
sure of himself, and not sure of the gal,
he kinder breads to have her laugh at
him"
"Thc gal wouldn't laugh if she loved
him. Miranda replied in low tone.
Then you do not know of gal here
abouts that's willing to be Mrs. Shade,
don't you Miranda jane" And he boldly
put his arm about her.
81 amt said so, was the quick reply,
as the girl drew herself away from him
with the air of a queen, while she Won
dercd whether she was acting as her
favorite heroine would act under the
same trying circumstances.
Say, Miranda Jane" he said, coax
ingly, as he once more drew her toward
him, '1et's go to K-this afternoon,
get license, and surprise folks by coming
home married. The cabins ready for T.;
you at any time, and need YOU"
Miranda James face was radiant and {
rosy under the limp sunbonnet, as Jim {
boldly pressed his first kiss upon 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 developed. 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 her
self was living romance as sweet, if
more pure and simple, as any she had
ever read. And she and Jim are slowly
striving together for the rights of the
higher and better life to which they feel
entitled Waverlcy Magazine.