The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-07-25


on very we'll in the daytime, but I've
wanted to sit round the fire at night
and talk 1t over with the boys. How
long are you going to stay7' he asked
eagerly.
Ten days. I've been here three"
His face heightened visibly.
"I'll be here a whole month";" he
added dolefully. why don't you stay
longer"
you see haven't struck 1t rich-in
huge chunks. The trustees of my
school are rather a parsmonious lot"
II don't know much about eastern
etiquette but | wonder if II wouldn't
be tolerably proper for us to do some
sightseeing together this afternoon
he said with a touch of boyish shyness
Il wonder" she said slowly.
The JOY of companionshlp settled the
question for them, and he called at her
boarding house morning after morning.
guidebook in hand, the plan for the
day already laid out.
They had left the trip to Arlington
for the last afternoon of her stay, and
they wandered through the grounds.
more beautiful than ever In their early
summer foliage, until they reached the
spot overlooking the Potomac, where
the tall shaft rises In honor of the
heroes of the Spanish war.
This is the loyeliest spot of ALL" he
said, as they sat down on the grassy
slope with their faces turned toward
the river. Washington will seem
dead after l put you on the train this
afternoon. Have you enjoyed this
week, little woman?" a slight nervous
ness In his voice.
''It has been-perfect," she said soft
ly. after l had you to talk to the
crowds didn't seem unfriendly at all
they changed into set of good natured
passersby."
"I-er-haven't seemed to miss the
boys much lately, either" he said, alb
sentmindedly. watching her slender
fingers arrange the largest daisies and
clover leaves that she found near her,
"but I'll go to missing them again the
very minute your train pulls out this
afternoon"
He sat up straight suddenly and
looked at her almost sternly.
do you think n man ought to be for
given for telling a lie?" he demanded
abruptly.
Her face paled slightly. and her eyes
10 with fhaf ho mi chit
In some way confess himself unworthy
of the friendly confidence she had
placed in him The unconventionality
of their acquaintance stood out in her
mind, suddenly, as viewed from the
worlds standpoint.
family.
Absolutely! No one ever told big
ger one" he said, with his eyes fixed
on the clover leaves, failing to see her
pallor. "for 1t will not be the boys III
be missing, it will be-just you"
Her color came back with rush
and she avoided his eyes as she rose
hastily to her feet, the daisies and
clover leaves falling to the ground.
I'm sure | will be late for my traiI
If we don't hurry back" she said
abruptly.
Il almost wish you would miss It'll
seems n shame that you cannot afford
to stay longer when l have more
money than l can possibly spend-un
less the town will let me build EN-
another library. You couldn't let me
err he stammered, not knowing how
to express himself.
mo, couldn't" she blazed. catching
his half formed idea.
There - there - little woman--don't
get huffy l suppose | do bump VI
against conventionalities occasionally
but somehow l hate for you not tC
have everything you want" he blurted
out
Her eyes softened, and when they
reached the station she watched his
broad shoulders as he elbowed his way
through the crowd at the ticket office
and wondered why. now her face was
turned homeward, she should feel more
homesick than ever.
When he had put her on the train
he leaned over and spoke determinedly
I'm coming to South Carolina be
fore | go back west"
She didn't answer, and he took from
his coat pocket one of the clover leaves
she had dropped on the ground at Ar
IIDptom md hold n I'M hQfnra hpr She
saw it had four leaves.
do you know what l am going tC
wish? That when l go back west
you'll go with me"-he waited. big
awkward boy In his embarrassment
for her to look at him.
"I-I-the train Is starting" she said
holding out her hand hastily. "but-li
one finds a four leaf clover-he is sup
posed to get his wish"