Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-03-05

DeCCeC commence.
Their glanees met. The boy hest
tated.
II don't think you look quite as love-
| ly in that Dress" he ventured.
A shadow of disappointment came
into her face, and she turned away.
The boy was embarrassed. He had
taken misstep. She turned impa-
tiently and gave him glance from
head to foot.
"But you're lovely enough now," he
ventured again.
There was quick movement of her
lips, flicker of contempt in her eyes.
1t seemed an age before she answered
him.
"Flatterer!" said she presently, look
Ing down and jabbing the fence top
with a pin. II suppose you think I'm
| very homely."
II always mean what say"
'Then you'd better be careful. You
might spoil me-" She smiled family,
turning her face away.
How so?"
Don't you know" said she seriously,
"that when girl thinks she's beautiful
she's spoiled"
Their bushes had begun to fade,
their words to come easier.
Guess Pm spoilt too" said the boy,
looking away thoughtfully. II don't
know what to say, but some time, may
be. you will know me better and be-
lieve me-" He spoke with some dig
nifty.
II know who you are" the girl an
| swered, coming nearer and looking into
his eyes, you're the boy that came
out of the woods in little red Sleigh"
"How did you know" Trove inquir-
ed, for he was not aware that any out
side his own home knew it,
"a man told us that came with the
cattle last year. And he said you must
belong to very grand folks"
"And how did he know thatT
"By your looks"
"By my looks?
eyes, II suppose he thought you
eidn't look like other boys around
here" She was now plying the pin
very attentively.
II must be very curious looking
boy"
ooh, not very!" said she, looking at
him thoughtfully. "I-I-well. shall
not tell you what think" She spoke
decisively.
She had harI,r, to hl,,ch orn},,
Their eyes met, and they both looked
away, smiling. Then a moment of 81
lence.
Don't you like browne" She was
now looking down at her dress, with
a little show Of trouble in her eyes.
II liked the brown Of your arms" he
answered.
The pin stopped. There was puz-
lied look in her face.
I'm afraid it's very homely dress,
anyway" said she, looking down upon
1t as she moved her foot impatiently.
Her mother came out Of doors. "Pol-
~" said she, you'd better go over to
the postoffice."
MAY go with hery Trove ill.,
quired.
"Ask Polly" said the Widow Vaughn,
laughing.
MAY II" he asked.
Polly turned away, smiling. IF you
care to-" said she in low voice.
"You must hurry and not be after
dark" said the widow.
They Went away, but only the mo-
ments hurried. They that read here,
though their heads be gray and their
hearts heavy, will understand, for they
will remember some little space of
time, with seconds flashing as they
went, like dust of diamonds in the
hourglass.
"Don't you remember how you came
In the little red sleighT she asked
presently.
mo"
II think it's very grand" said she.
cts so much like story"
do you read stories?"
Cali l can get. I've been reading
'Greytower.'
II read it last winter" said the boy.
"What did you like best in it2"
''Im ashamed to tell you," said she,
with quick glance at him.
"Please tell me-"
ooh. the love scenes, of course" said
she, looking down with a sigh and a
little hesitation.
He was fine lover
give something in my eye" said she,
stopping.
Perhaps l can get it." said he. "Let
me try"
I'm afraid you'll hurt me-" said she,
looking up, with smile.
| "I'll be careful"
| He lifted her face little, his fingers
beneath her pretty chin. Then, taking
her long, dark lashes between thumb
and finger, he opened the lids.
you are hurting" said she soberly,
and now the lashes were trying to pull
free.
II can see it," said he
at must be bear, you look SO
frightened"
Its nothing to be afraid Of" said
the boy.
well, your hands tremble," said
l ~ ln..< ~