Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-05-31

from stone to stone in short skirted
freedom.
ON rock in the middle of the
stream, tall, broad shOuldered. his
clothing wet, his heavy boots streaked
with mud, stood Mr.. Ned. his pipe in
his mouth, peacefully fishing
Hello little dame. How do, Guy,
old boy!' he called gayly. and then he
dropped his line. and landing net
abruptly and, cap in hand leaped
quickly across the stepping stones and
held out his hand to Cousin Grace. He
had run up from New York for a cou.
pie of days trout fishing. he said, and
was so glad to see his old friends, and
then they sat on the rocks and talked
of such tiresome things as game laws
and trout fishing and the greenness of
the willows, while you broke off alder
twigs and threw them in the stream
for Guy to catch.
Suddenly Cousin Grace looked
straight up into Mr.. Ned's eyes.
II hear you are very happy In New
York"
yes" said Mr.. Ned.
"Cherchez la femme?" she question
ed.
81 see you have found me out" said
Mr. Ned
Then there is somebody
Eyes"
"And you really are to be married?'
I'm the fall" replied Mr.. Ned prompt
ly
"Ned''-Cousin Grace put out her
hand wistfully, her lips trembling-"I
hope you will be happy"
"Thank you, l expect to be-" said
Mr.. Ned. I'VE shall have a cottage in
a pretty suburban town; nothing very
elaborate, just a comfortable, honey
little place with porches and a little
ground. And we shall not be extrava
CANT In the furnishing-just our books
and pictures, couple of good rugs and
few pieces of old mahogany" he end
ed, smiling dreamily upstream
at Is late"-Cousin Grace spoke cold
ly-"and If we are to find spring beau
ties we must go on" She rose as she
spoke and gave him her hand.
SO you went on, although the bright
ness of the spring day had departed
went on and left Mr.. Ned throwing out
his line and whistling cheerfully.
And then you came to the little path
that had unfolded itself before your
minds eye, path that pushed through
she alders and willows and stretched
over tiny threads of water that war
dered away from the little stream.
1t was there that you found them.
clusters of "spring Beauties" raising
their delicate flower faces from the
muddy ground. You dropped on your
knees beside them. You laid your face
softly against them, going from clus.
ter to cluster in an ecstasy of delight.
Not until you had plucked handful
Of the frail stalks did you remember
Cousin Grace"
1--WE found them! I've found them
you shouted. Still kneeling, you turn
ed and looked back along the path
then you rose slowly to your feet.
In the middle of the path stood Cous
in Grace and Mr.. Ned. She had been
crying. for her eyes were still wet, but
she looked beautiful now and was
smiling as Mr.. Ned held her hands and
looked down at her.
you would not listen to me. l had
to resort to desperate measures" he
said, "and anyhow l wasn't so far out
of the way, for l am going to be mar
ried In the fall, am | not, sweetheart
You know there has never been-car
never be-any one but you" he added
as his arms closed about her.
Your eyes grew big with wonder and
delight. You did not understand how
It had happened. You did not care II
was like a lovely fairy tale. Cousin
Grace was the beautiful princess, anC
the prince had but claimed his own
Wide eyed and happy, you confronted
them. while the pale 'spring beauties
slipped from your fingers and lay upoI
the ground UNDECIDED. silvery, fra
grant offering at loves shrine.