Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-07-09

pointed. 1t was so unlike what he had expected and pictured to himself. Yet he hardly knew after all what he had expected. He had no claim on her, was not even any relation, and seven years is a long time--a girl makes oth- CT friends. She would not meet his look as in the old days, but kept her eyes bent on the ground. He couldn't remember just what color they were. and wondered how it was that such an important point had never inter- ested him before He could see, in- deed, that the eyes were fringed with long, dark lashes, and the outline of the face, which was so carefully turned from him, was perfect; her figure was tall and straight, her head erect and shapely crowned with masses of dark curling hair, which fell below her waist. She was decidedly the most beautiful girl he had ever seen-and the moment he realized this fact. per feet fury of jealousy took possession of him. He understood everything now-it was clear as daylight-Cecilia had lover and did not want his friendship any more!
 At last the girl broke the silence. My father will be so pleased to see you," she said. but if you will excuse me now 1 will just finish cutting some roses and be with you presently"
 She began to cut roses feverishly, not seeing or caring where she stepped. till the thorny branches laid hold of her long loose hair and held her fast. almost as though they knew what they were about, and determined to make her prisoner.
 In her struggles she stepped at last on a loose mound nf earth which gave way suddenly beneath her. and in a moment myriads of tiny brown insects. each carrying precious egg almost as large as itself. were swarm ing about her feet and ankles.
 She had stumbled into an ants nest!
 The young man was just disappear ing into the house, but at the first cry he turned and with two or three bounds, which would have done credit to an active kangaroo, was by her side and had taken in the situation. It is to his everlasting credit that he did not laugh, but treated the affair with the seriousness 1t deserved. Forum ately he carried his ''machete" with him. that useful If rather dangerous knife without which c Mexican seldom rides abroad-and with a few strokes of the sharp blade he freed the girl from the prickiy branches. when she ded hastily Into the middle of the path and commenced to stamp and shake her skirts vigorously long after every insect had taken himself on in a greater fright than her own.
 Then the branches which still clung to her hair had to be disentangled, oh, so gently! Such glorious hair. too, the touch of 1t thrilled him. Then she looked up and their eyes met. and sud denly the disappointment and misery which had seemed so real a few min utes ago all melted away and they knew.
 "oh. Phil, am SO thankful you came." was all she said. but she gave a happy little laugh and tried to hide from his gsze by shaking her mane about her blushing face. bu. he took her hand and drew her to him.
 DO you know 1 have had such a terrible fright" he said. q thought oh, you can't think how wretched f made me-that some one had stolen you from me: but 1t isn't true. Cscilia, tell me 1t isn't true"
 And thought" she answered. evading his question. that the girls in New York"
 There are no girls in New York the young man sravely interrupted her. There Is only one girl in the whole world. and she is right here in my arms,"