The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-01-28
The End Of
the Summer
BY ELIZABETH ROSE.

more perfect than a day In June!
swclaimed the man, stretched lazily
upon the grass, and he looked up
with a sigh of content at the girl in
the hammock.
"who, indeed" she responded,
ympathetically. IF It could but
always be summer, and June!"
always this June, with the flow
srs and the grass and the green
things, and you and here together"
he suggested.
1--WE should stagnate, and we
should grow very tired of each
other"
mot I. ] should be perfectly
happy IL / remained here forever,
provided you remained with me-
IT do not agree with you. Happi-
moss itself would become monoton-
Gus, and we should long for a dis
cord, Just for the sake of change.
We should pine away longing for a
rood old-fashioned November driz-
lie. / should wear my heart out
waiting for an opportunity to wear
ny sable furs, and your limbs would
become stiff for want Of good ball
game, or a SNOWFALL fight, and all
the other good things that do not
belong to June"
How very practical you are, and
At such time, tool"
Not at all. On the contrary, i
I'm very romantic; but one cannot
i've on a continuous diet of senti-
nent and romance. 1t is very appro-
,riate and delightful in the summer
line, when everybody and everything
s glad and happy, but in the winter
me needs more substantial things.
Il It were raining heavily at this
aoment, and you were cold and wet
rad tired, would you still be content
because I shared your plight?"
please don't; / detest the sub
lunctive. / only know that I want
you very badly" he said tenderly. II
need you"
And yet, a month ago you had
never seen me. Singular that your
reed developed in so short time"
Necessity knows no law" he re-
sorted glibly.
"You are flippant." she answered.
Il have heard men talk like this be-
ore. You are a selfish lot. Unfor-
'unatsly, I am not summer girl;
/ hate flirting and / hate flattery."
he rose, with a laugh. However
ihs added, sweeping him a courtesy
With . tinge Of sarcasm, II thank
,ou for q very entertaining after
soon."
"Ah, don't go!" ne pleaded
+. spYinging to his feet. you will mol
asny me the privilege of defending
myself against such an accusation
little girl" he said, taking th'
,rown hands In his. you may be-
tsve me when I tell you that I an
qot flirting with you, nor am I fat
,ring you when l say that you arr
ae dearest, sweetest little comrade
nd that these weeks have been th
appiest 1 have ever known, becaus
sley were spent with you. With al
iy heart I mean It when I say
we you, and / want you, not for
ummer GIRL but for an all year
ound girl, girl who can winter
;th me in the absence Of the sun
ine and the flowers and the birds
nd who can love and cheer me jus
he same In the November drizzlt
.hen the skies are gray and heav!
4, she can in June. when 1t is 81
asy to love and be happy. reall
ant you, will you Gomez"
Am the first to whom you hay
ytended the invitation" she aske,
lucily.
'The very first, little girl. ha,
cen waiting for you for years."
Indeed; and during all tho
ears you have never cared for an
ody?"
II never cared for anybody as
are for you. / never loved an.
pdy so much as l love you. and
aver thought of marrying until
let you. AS the poet says, my hea
rs shed It's outer leaves to give y,
l the rest. And you?" he ask
.lxiously.
II have believed myself to be
ve dozens of times, and it has be
'Hy pleasant for the time being, b
have always outgrown it."
"And you are quite sure there
lbody else now except me?"
There has never been anyc
lite like you"
You are silent this evening.
ere anything troubling you? {
help your"
"You are the only one who ca
answered drearily.
Tell me. You know there
thing / would not do for you"
He looked at her, half cage
II tenderly. you will think m
4 and a BRUTE" he said.
'You may be assured / shall l
ease tell me-"
You will hate me, but am
sty to ask you to release me fr