The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-14

stood in the hall. smiling as tnouen there was no such thing as rain. "Don't you want to go up and hevv look at the Big RoGk this afternoon. she asked. T think its going to stop raining at last. Anyway, I can wrap LID we'll It would be a shame not 70 see the old place before you go back. "Bess," you are an angel, was all IF could say. She laughed at the remarH; "It would be more seasonable to caI me duck" she reminded. I'll DC ready at 1 o'clock" . t-
 She darted away and Brooks. with . new hope in his heart, caught up 2 pen and wrote the letter that he had been trying to compose all the week. Bess was prompt and at { o'clock they met on the piazza. The rain had gone back to a light drizzle. buo1Lahg don affected to take . last farewell or them and promised to try and recover their bodies after the flood,
 Bess gave him sucy reply and they started down the road. It was hard climb up the steep side of the mount ain, at the foot of 'i. ulch Centervilie' nestled, but after the stuffy atmos- phere of the house the wet earth filled the clean air with a fragrance pecui- iarly its own.
 Bess drank deep draughts down into her lungs. I'm glad that we came. she declared. "It isn't so very wet. and I did want to have you see Big Rock again"
 "I was afraid that 1t would be wash ed away before we could get up here. he said with a smile. This has been a nightmare week. Bess. What can you think of the way I've been actingT
 T don't blame you" she said softly. Tt must be horrid to have your only week spoiled. But there is Big Rock"
 t,n nf huge bowlder, relic of some glacial period.
 In clear weather they could see far down the valley from the ledge on which the rock stood: Even now they were given a glimpse of green fields and the darker tint of the wooded sec tions, though the silver thread of the river had become leaden reflector of the cloudy skies
 Brooks leaned against the rock while Bess seated herself upon spoke-then Brooks turned to her.
 It was my one wish to come up here," he said. Do you remember last summer meeting me here?'
 As though 1t were yesterday" she answered. T had been day dreaming in the shade of the rock and you came crashing through the bushes was little 1fi6rteheu, re"ehiper'
 T wanted to come back here" he said refiectively. T had a foolish mo- tion that should be more fortunate if I spoke in the shadow of the Big Rock. I wanted to ask you to marry me. Bess. but I don't suppose you would dare marry a chap who had shown such a temper as have in the past few days"
 why don't yon ask and find out?' she suggested demurely.
 Tn a moment he was upon his knees beside her. He had given up all hopes as long as the wet days wore upon his patience. He had not supposed that she would trust her future to him. Now that she had spoken he poured out his love in a torrent of speech. ob- liyious to all else. For a quarter of an hour he gave heed to nothing save the sweet face before him. looking at nothing save the tender eyes now so full of love. Then she gently disengag- ed herself and pointed across the val ley.
 Far in the west the sun was show ing through a rift in the clouds. light ing with prismatic splendor the arch of a rainbow. Life is like that dear.' she said gently. There must be some stormy days that we may better ap- preciate the sum-"