The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-01-04

him. He went about with his note
book, his keen eye ever ready to seize
likely picture, his fingers itching to
transfer to paper the hCmely speech Of
his rustic entertainers, Journalist first
Gilman Holmes afterward.
Clarissa, not TO be outdone in hos
pitality, wrote a prim, formal note in
viting the young man t. tea, an invi-
tation which he accepted with alacrity
for rumor had already reached him of
Elvira and her beauty
1t was with peculiar care that Clar-
issa laid out her tea on that occasion.
Generally the meals were sparing, for
this time her tea was lavish. There
was excellent cup cake for one thing,
wafer slices of bread and butter, two
glass dishes filled with preserves and
a plate of red curranls from the gar
den. Clarissa put out her mothers
wedding china, pale, apple green tea
cups and plates, and then, to crown
ALL she picked grea; bunch of flow-
ers and placed them in vase in the
center of the table.
Elivra looked on with large, wide
open eyes. Her lips framed a ques-
ton.
I'm not a-going TO have a poor
setout when strangers coming to
tea, said Clarissa defantly. I'D just
as lief as not have the fellow coming,
though"
So Gilman came, and from the mo-
ment the white robed, blushing Elvira
fluttered into the room he forgot New
York, journalism and fame, lost his
ready wit, and realized that he who
knew so much was quite unlearned
He walked up and down the warm
sunlit garden with Elvira, bending his
dark head caressingly over her, won
dering dimly how SO fair and sweet a
creature CHANGED to live Elvira lost
her first awe Of him, and laughed and
talked slowly, pointing out the Gala
lilies, picking great nosegay of pink
and white sweet peas.
Time passed quickly in the garden.
1t was dusk before Gilman left.
Elvira smiled in her sleep that night,
flushing rosily; but old Clarissas pill
low was wet with salt tears, for she
saw what was coming-ano it was what
she desired, so it was really foolish
of her to weep.
Elvira and Gilman got engaged. 1t
was a brief, pretty courtship.
Clarissa and the neighbors looked
on, watching the delicate drama that
was being played marvelling a little
how smooth was loves course.
Elvira neither wondered nor unused.
To her 1t was only natural and right
that Gilman Holmes should have come
into her life; she knew now that she
had all along been waiting for him.
and keeping her pure heart like a fra
grant shrine. AS for Gilman, the mys-
terry of it all was upon him still, the
great marvel how this delicate dreamy
Elvira, this fiowerlike maiden could
care for a sharp, harsh voiced young
man, from New York. This journa-
list, once over-confdent, and full of
fierce assurance, was now afraid of
himself and ashamed to look into the
dusty corners Of his soul. He longed
for spotlessly clean haEds-because of
Elvira's whiteness.
A day in early autumn was fixed
for the wedding, but first Gilman must
return to New York and gain a further
leave of absence
The lovers parted, and it was bad
hour for both.
Elvira lost all her timid maideniy
difidence. She chung to Gilman, with
tender self-surrender. putting up her
face for his kisses, praying him pathe-
tically to return soon. AS if Gilman
needed such prayers! He who was
longing-and half beside himself with
the longing to marry this pretty Puri-
tan and take her to make home brigh-
ter in New York.
Clarissa came TO the gate finally and
Unmatched it for the lover. She looked
gaunt and gray; her hair was all
blown out by the wind, her thin cotton
dress showed the meagre lines of her
old body. She was not prepossessing.
Gilman looked at her little resent
fully. He hated to surrender his weep
ing Elvira to this harsh looking old
woman.
Take care of her-be good to her,
he said, breaking from the girls soft
clutch, and pressing her gently back
against Clarissa, "Oh. Mis- Lane, be
careful of Elvira for ne"
Clarissa laughed low and grimly to
herself. BE careful Of Elvira!" To the
woman to whom the girl was all in all