The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-17
AUBREY GOES FORTH TO
WOO ON 4 WINDY DAY

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watched her son move down the path.
He walked stifiy and uncouthly, for he
felt her glance upon him. and he was
wearing his Sunday clothes. He had for
gotten TO oil his dark hair. and it punched
out richly. setting HIS cap awry. A sprig
OF southerwood nodded in his buttonhole.
"A rose or a danodllly would have caught
girls eye better" thought Rachael.
She wondered why he had chosen the
green sprig.
A sudden gust of wind caught her
skirts. whirled them and shook them
tia they stood out like the petals OF a
flower Rachael spread out her hands
to push them down. She saw Aubrey's
cap fly OF. and watched him race, for
getting his Sunday clothes. IN pursuit
He was lost in the green of the lane
and Rachael sighed and turned. I'm glad
he's going TO ask Felicity at last" she
said. volcing her thoughts aloud. They'll
settle down together real well. That viii
young thing at the Marsh house set her
cap at him. Once / feared bat Aahrey's
toe sensible. Stll-rm glad"
She entered thu cottage end the door
slammed behind her. II was a windy lay.
Aubrey was racing, his dark locks
blowing out across the stony path OF
the Home Meadow He had found his
cep; It hung from one hand but having
once run with the wind, his inclination
was still to run Each roaring gus;
was sweet with the scent OF trees; it
stung his ears and blew him along as II
he were a leaf His blood sang. his
body thrilled, his cheeks blazed red.
The wicket gate at the other side Of
the meadow was scarcely a yard from
him. when suddenly the young man turn
ed. He stood for a moment irresolute,
facing the wind, then clapt his cap under
his arm and started to rush madly back
the way he had come
The wind buffeted him; II was his
enemy now-not his friend. He struggled
with it, bracing himself. A cry broke
from him- 1t was as If the wind had
accused him. and Ia defended himself:
4 can't help it, I can't help 1t! I'd
rather have her than Felicity
At the meadow opening he chose with
out hesitation the road opposite shat
which led to his mothers cottage. AMI
ran on When he reached the little spin
ney fun of budding laTches he ran faster.
The Marsh House, lonely and neglected.
stood beyond the spinney. He raced ND
the path and knocked with his knuckles
on the door. His breath broke from him
In quick gasps
It had time to quiet, for his summons
then knocked again. Again there was ST.
ience. The wind came. soughing round
the Marsh House. There was CLEANS of
gold from a bright sun.
Aubrey pushed the riel0ety door open
and went into the house The first room
into which he looked was empty: rhe
second held a girl, who sat brooding by
an empty CRATE, her chin on her palm.
The young mans boldness left him.
and he stood abashed- a redness came
into his face which was not that Of
the wind The girl turned and stared
at him with wide gray eyes. Was it
you that were knocking?" she asked.
His color grew deeper. YES" he said
Il did not answer. You should not
have come in" said she.
He braced himself why did you not
answer"
The girl laughed CONTEMPORARY. Be
cause I knew nobody could be waiting
there whom would wish to see''
He had had many a speech of the
same cruel unkindness from her, and.
as It had done many a time before.
his heart grew hot He fingered his cap
He would go He told himself that he
would go. and without another word.
But. OH the queer grace OF her turned
body as she sat, twisted sideways, staring
at him. No other girl in the village
could sit like that-not Felicity The
smile at the corner Of her lips lured him,
even while it Knocked.
The youth advanced a step. clumsily.
He took the soRhernwood from his but
tonhole. Take it," he said, holding out
the sprig.
She took it. smelt it with a kind OF
passion. and laid 1t upon her knee.
1T is like you." he said nodding at
it.
The girl looked at him euriousIy.
why were you wearing it-and your
best clothes? You have a clean handker-
chief, too" Her voice dropped into con-
tempt.
He moved again, nearing her. His slow
heavy face was troubled.
She did not repeat her question. having
apparently lost all interest in him: but
he answered it, II ana going-my mother
has sent me-to ask Felicity 10 marry
me-"
She laughed carelessly. turning the
southernwood between her fingers. "Weil.
why don't you go?"
Aubrey paused. and a gust of wind
shook the house. The girl turned her
head to listen. The movement had
about il the grace of a creature of the
woods. The man listened, too. He said
indistinetly, Il would rather marry YOU,
She looked at him and broke into a
hearty laugh. For a moment he thought
she had not understood, then he knew
that she had. Marry me! Marry met
You would rather, would your Ny poor
Aubrey you are deluding yourself. Let
me tell you. you would much rather
not marry me-"
Il want to marry YOU" he said stub
bornly.
He thought she would never stop laugh