Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1906-09-12

GRANGE. One breathed life and happi-
ness on such a morning, and love for
all that dives in this glorious, beauti-
full world Besides, was not her old
friend and playfellow, Philip King.
coming homo after being away for
seven years in the States, learning to
be doctor?
Cecilia was an only child. Her
mother died when the poor little mite
was only three days old, and her father
never married again, but gave his
small daughter into the keeping OF a
kind-hearted Mexican woman, who had
from that moment spoiled her charge
with the utmost fidelity, and now, at
the age Of 10 years, the tall, handsome
girl was still old Concha's favorite.
The two families were near neigh
bors, and had been fast friends from
the beginning, so it was no wonder
that she and Philip should be con-
stantly together, running about and
playing at hide and seek in the
woods round the ranch, and when
they We're older cantering over the
pasture lands on their sure-footed
Mexican ponies-and no wonder either,
as time went on, that the folks should
nod their heads and smile knowingly,
as they watched the pair, pretty lit
tie girl of IL and a handsome lad of
10. In their imagination these good
people already heard the bells ring
for the betrothal.
Not much time was wasted over the
toilet this morning There was a great
deal to be done before eight O'Clock
breakfast First, the asparagus had to
be cut, while the sun was still low in
the sky, for later on when he had at
tanned his full strength it was insult
ferably hot in the garden, and only the
dark-skinned natives might work there
with impunity. Then she would pick
some ripe, juicy peaches for dessert.
Her father loved asparagus and peach
es, and SO did Philip, If her memory
did not deceive her-but seven years
is long time and tastes may change.
who knows if he is still fond Of
peaches?" and-she looked in the glass
and smiled at her own reflection-'I
think can answer for peaches" Her
thoughts ran on questioning and re-
plying to themselves. "but as to as
paragus and, and-other things-who
knowS?"
On chair by her bedside Guadalupe,
her maid, had placed a clean muslin
frock, starched and white as snow.
She fingered 1t lovingly, for she was
going to put 1t on after her work was
done. In the meantime a blue cotton,
more than ready for the washtub
would do very well, and, having
reached this stage in her proceedings.
she did not stop to twist up her hair,
but merely braiding it in two thick
plaits. Mexican fashion, seized her SOM
brero and ran downstairs. At the
kitchen door Concha was waiting with
basket and long knife with teeth like
saw at one end; this was used to cut
the asparagus.
The dew drops ON the feathery
branches Of the asparagus vines SPAR
killed. like diamonds in the sunshine and
fell on her in showers as she brushed
them aside to look for the white heads
appearing above ground at their roots.
BY the time she had cut sufficient for
q generous dish an hour had already
gone by and she was veEy warm and
decidedly muddy-but what did that
matter? There was soap and water in
the house, and a pretty clean white
dress in her room waiting to be pu,
ON. The peaches could be picked ia
a few minutes. and then her morning'a
work would be done.
How beautiful 1t was that morning!
From her perch among the peaches
she gazed fascinated on the scene be-
fore her. Orizabas glory of mountains.
with its snOw-caDpod peak. seemed but
, step from the garden, but in reality
one would have to travel more than
% miles to reach the foot Of It. On
All sides were the hills as far as the
oye could see. and right in front, only
about mile away, nestled the little
town with its whitowashed houses and
brown tiled roofs, half buried in trees.
Absorbed in the view she did not see
, horseman who was maneuvering his
way In and out the winding pathway
which led to her fathers ranch, and
70 It happened that Philip King was
almost upon her before she was aware
81 it. When she did at last catch
sight OF him Il was too late to Nv to
he house, The color leaped u her
lace in crimson Good, and her knees
beneath her, with agitation.
iisappo intment at the sudden collapse
II all her plans and humiliation at the
figure she cut. She clutched
aor hair, which had long since freed
tsalf from the plaits, and nervously.
With shaking fingers, tried to twist 1t
- and hide 1t inside her sombrero, but
The had no hairpins. 30 It only fell
Town again in even greater disorder