Middletown transcript., 1907-01-19


after this bold aVoTal that
its scorching light he remem,
bered the rather mashed bag Of
chocolates which, with some
string, marbles, tintacks, slate
pencils and india-rubber, re
posed in his pocket.
Won't you have one
Dorothy was a slave to sweets.
The red lips smiled ; a tiny hand
was held out tentatively When
the chocolate was in her sweet
little mouth, she smiled a de-.
lighted It's awfully good. I
like il.
Jem heayed a deep sigh. He
grew bolder and bclder.
Suppose, he suggested, you
and me played being married !?
I'll come from town, and you'll
say What have you got for me !?
and I'll say Chocolates, darling,
and give you the lot.
Dorothy dimpled, and Jem led
the way triumphantly to where
a line of elm trees bordered the
road. And they were just seated
when the schemes Of mice and
men were once more upset.
a delightful band was coming
down the road. Dorothy was
music mad. She bounded to her
small feet. Oh, how beau iii
fall
There was a futter OF small.
petticoats, backward whimsi-
cal smile, and she was off down
the lawn to meet the band. Jem's
matrimonial bubble was burst!
She was sixteen when the next
proposal came.
He had loved her all the time :
taught her to skate, and ride, and
fish, fought her battles, been her
slave; but tomorrow be was
going to Harvard.
It was early moonlight on the
lawn. and they were coming up
from the river, where they had
been punting. The night was
clear and calm. A kind of in
toxication was in the boys brain.
Dorothy he burst out, I'm
going away to morrow ] cant
bear to think of it
So youare. Dorothy acquiesced.
dreamily. just as I've learned
to manage a boat. It's too bad !!
Jem swallowed something in
his throat with a gulp.
There will be the other chaps,
he said disgustedly.
Oh, yes !-she was annoyingly
ready to talk of them. Still,
they won't be youl
Do you really mean that ?
He stopped then, and stood
facing her. Dorothy listened, at
first smiling. then perturbed and
perplexed.
I want to tell you, Dorothy-I
want you to remember that T.
I think there isn't anyone in the
world like you Jem burst out.
Not anyone And / can't bear
to think of the the other fellows
boating with you and getting
your best waltzes and riding
with you
/ hate all the other fellows !
But I'm-Pm coming back, Dor
othy And won't you please
wait for me, and think of me a
little ? Oh, I do love you
The stream of words had come
fast and faster, and Dorothy
blushed painfully.
never thong hit Of such a thing.
she stammered. Never We
are only friends J
Oh, but Dorothy, won't you
try Oh, promise to try ? To-
care for me
He had put his hand en- her
arm, and the girl, reluctant,
swayed by the torrential elo-
qnence Of the boyisl voice. was
about to say something, when a
sweet and mellow tenor voice
rang out through the open win
dows Of the music-room.
Dorothy's face was one Of
ecstasy music was still her pas
sion.
Oh. hush Listen she cried.
It is the signor singing to Adela!
Oh, how sweet How heavenly
Jem was cast into an abyss.
Jem did not sing he did not
know my Country, It's Of Thee"
from 'sWaiting at the Church :
He turned away, and left her
standing with the moonlight On
her face, and nothing but music
il her heart. There vas no room
fols lin at all.
She was twenty six when the
next proposal came.
They had met but rarely il the