Amador ledger., 1905-04-28

meant so well. And then," with lips
that would quiver, 81 get chance to
60 TO dance so seldomT'
The long, hot, golden day Jagged
by, Never had the giving of music
lessons seemed so tedious nor had the
pupils ever appeared SO tiresome.
Coming home just as the relentless sun
was dropping down the west, the girl
frightened with wan pleasure at sight
of the little old gray cottage she called
home. In the house she knew would
be balm-the balm of sympathy, of
rest, of love.
"Pll have a bath and a fresh gown"
she told herself, "and get out here In
the silence and the sweetness and read
until 1 forget there are gay people
dancing the night away-and I not
one of themp'
Not for worlds would she have ad-
mitted even to her own heart that it
was less the social eXhilaratton she
missed than the wee, hidden hope she
well remembered dark head, of feel
ing the warm clasp of a strong, firm
hand and of meeting the half tender,
half quizzical glance of expressive blue
eyes.
She was very resolute in reading the
tiny volume Of Tennyson she had
brought when after supper she came
out into the fragrant solitude. Her
gown was of simple lawn that trailed
about her feet in sweep as of broken
waves. Her arms shone pearl fair
through its transparency.
The afterglow faded. Shadows
crept stealthily up the garden ways.
1t was not possible to read longer.
Anyhow she had hardly been aware
of that which she was reading. Now
the guests were gathering at her
uncle's imposing home. Lights were
blazing and the gay music from the
city resounding. And now she closed
her eyes. drifting away into a reverie,
varihued, melodious, Kaleidoscope, so
absorbing that she did not notice the
stopping Of a carriage at the gate nor
the heavy footstep muffied by the thick
grass.
II wonder If a kiss would waken
her!' meditated quizzical voice.
"Pm not She started to her feet,
the flooding light of the warm, young
midsummer moon full ON her face
"Gordon!' she murmured.
Older, heavier, manlier than the
young fellow who had gone away, there
was still the admiration in his eager
eyes, the smile of tenderness about the
square cut lips.
You're a nice GIRL" he cried, holding
her cold, slight hands in his warm,
heavy pressure, never to come to a
party given in the honor of your old
friend! 1 looked for you everywhere.
Your uncle said you had promised him
you would come. So he sent me to
bring you, or, rather" he laughed, 81
asked him If might not come for you.
Come-LesSieW
1t was the old childish name that no
one else had called her.
But can't, Gordonw She was blush
ing like rose. mot In this old gown
He glanced over her critically In be-
wilderment
isn't that the-the right thing? It's
tust-stunning. You look like an I'm
dine-a silver birch incarnated! All
pale green and white-except for a
crown Of goldr' And this audacious
young man stopped to touch the shin
ing coronet with reverent lips.
"Lessie, you must know why I've
come back" His voice dropped to a
coaxing cadence. I've come-for you!
Dear, have 1 startled you? Well, come
up to the dance, and I'll promise to be
dumb until the last waltz"
I'm a dress that cost a quarter a
yard-and that I made myself2" she
qperied, her voice tremulous with ex-
citement.
Come for your uncle's saker he
begged. EVERY one here in Linden
Vile knows you. 1t will be great funl
And then, Lessie, come for my saker
It was great fun. The verdict that
the girl In the sea green gown, with
cheeks like wild roses, was the belle Of
the ball was practically unanimous.
Only Hortense and her mother ex-
changed glance of dark and signif-
cant disappointment when Bruce Fer
guson, smiling indulgently If obtusely,
whispered: "Cophetua up to date! Not
such q bad match for little music
teacherP'