Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-14

cd. She could walk q little now with
out her clutches. and johnnie came
and planted trees aud shrubbery while
she looked on and directed. Every one
teased the girl about the countryman's
devotion. but she smiled on him kind
~ and made him happy by her interest
in his simple talk. while almost i'm
perceptibly some of his rough edges
were smoothed away.
Soon came the spring and the wild
flowers and the joyous gathering or
luscious berries. and then IN the height
Of all this beauty the girl had TO re-
turn to her city home. Johnnie Sriev-
ed He soon ceased coming to tho
new farm, and it was not long before
his odd ways and his frankly express
ed admiration for their erstwhile guest
became only an amusing memory.
Three years passed. and the girl in
her northern home knew many changes
from health to sickness. but at length
the Divine Love listened 10 her pray
ers and healed her. and in the fullness
of her joy and in her pride of new
found strength and ability she came
again for little visit to her southern
friends.
JO0DDle
beamed with happiness. His heart had
remained true to its idol. and be has
tened to renew his allegiance. The
girl. though, became shy of him now
he seemed too deeply I'm earnest.
Little girl" he said. Il sho' am
glad in my heart to see you and proud
all through to watch you walk so MIN
BILE"
She smiled at the phrasing. but felt
that it would never do to trihe with a
true affection, no matter how lowly
the station Of the man by whom II
was honestly offered So she drew
somewhat aloof in her manner. but he
grew only the more devoted. He was
her humble slave. He tried to fulfill
her wishes before she could utter
them. He would walk miles TO do her
erfands or bring her bundles. His
constant services spoke more than
words. but he often assured her that:
you be the pleasingest girl that
ever come ont Of New York"
1t was difficult for him to realize
that she really needed no assistance
now He was ready to lend his strong
arms TO carry her over every rough
place that met her feet, reminding her
that:
The last time I never could permit
you to walk there-no. never. never"
So the weeks went by-all too rapid
ly-and at last the end came.
The day before the departure of the
girl Johnnie had labored hard ana
seemed 10 find constant movement
n Of
He had strapped the trunk and locked
her valise and in his rough way had
done everything of which he could
think which might add TO her comfort
The girl was very shy when with him
and tried to keep her friend ever
present. feeling that some confession
of affection impended and being very
sorry and pitiful for the pain she
might be obliged TO infiict. At last by
some inadvertent chance they were
left alone together.
Johnnie stopped in drawing the case
over her umbrella and. looking at her.
asked earnestly:
Does your heart hurt you about
going. little girlT'
Il am sorry to leave my friends,
Johnnie"
"Are you sho' to come back again"
Yes. hope so. I will surely come
some time"
He thought a moment. Silently,
'Will it be next year. little girl?"
II cannot tell. 1t is possible. shah
try"
Johnnie rested his hands on the top
ofthe rolled umbrella and said slowly:
when you come back. little girl. l
will be ready. An will you marry
meT' And he leaned forward eagerly
in his pleading
The girl gave a little cry of dismay. |
shook her head and clasped her hands. |
pleading gently:
'Oh, Johnnie. don't! Don't look that !
way, I can't. you know; indeed ] /
cannot, and l do hate to hurt you sor' |
And the brown eyes filed with tears.
The naturelof the man showed itself |
equal to the occasion. hurt as he was. |
and his face was a-quiver with feel |
ing. He thought only OF her, and with 1
that innate chiva!ry which will always |
try TO spare a woman pain he said:
Never mind. little girl; never mind. |
I can bear it. but i'll die toni .:ht or IL |
I live Il thousand years 1 always will |
love you. little girl"