The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1910-12-09

thought her charming, with the nusi
on her cheeks, and with her kindlins
eyes. But he knew 1t wouldn't do
He felt that flattery would be dis
tasteful to her, and that she would
fly away.
Please" he urged again, but she
shook her head.
Il have SO much to do" she
pleaded
Never having been thwarted, Ward
made up his mind that some day she
should go with him, but he bided his
time. And, before he knew 1t, he
was wooing his little Jennie Wren
! like gallant Robin Redbreast.
He was deeply, profoundly in love
for the first time. He felt stirring
In his heart all the primeval In
stincts. He wanted home with this
woman In it. He wanted future In
which this little creature should be
at his side, cheering him, helping
him, sustaining him. He smiled as
he analyzed his feelings. Il thought
longed for a mate of gay plumage,
but am no more fitted, with my
quiet tastes and love of homely hap
piness, to unite with society wom-
an than Is a plain robin to join his
fortunes with hummingbird."
His sense of protection made him
want to surround her with every
safeguard, and when one day. upon
the campus, he found her being
badgered by a group Of gay young
students, his blood boiled. Behind a
screen Of vines he sat on the porch
Of the old library and heard them
tease her about him. They had read
his secret before her modesty would
permit her to understand and now
they were taxing her with 1t.
Little mousse" said a gay girl in
blue, ito think that you should carry
off the prize"
Jennie's inquiring glance went
from one amused face to another.
WHY haven't won any prize" she
said. What do you mean?" q
"a big PRICE" said the girl IN blue
explaining; "all of us set our caps for
the professor. and now you have won
out"
"Oh," Jennie's face famed, "but !
haven't-why, who ever thought of
such a thing"
"He did. and we did," chanted the
girl in blue. "Oh, you blind little
mouse" And away they went
Ward dared not approach her as
she sat alone looking out over the
campus. He knew how she must feel
to have had her affairs talked about
by irreverent tongues.
But that afternoon he sought her
out. "You refused my invitation once
he said gravely, ito go to my old
nurses. Please don't refuse me now
Il want you"
With new self-consciousness upon
her she dropped her head.
please don't ask me-" she pro-
tested. "I-I think I ought not to
CO."
"Why?"
Because"
Because of what those girls said
to you on the porch this morning?"
"Yes."
"And 1t Is true. And 1t Is because
of that that want to carry you of
with me this afternoon. want to
talk 1t over with you-may Jennie
Wren"
Suddenly she was enveloped by the
Joy of his love for her. "Oh, yes" she
said breathlessly. "I'll be glad-to
talk 1t over"
In the dim, cool dining room of the
old farmhouse, where the air was
sweet with the fragrance of honey.
suckle, Ward told her the story Of
his awakening. II need such a
woman as you to complete my life,"
he said. Il need the comfort of you,"
the quiet content that your presence
gives me, the rest, the peace, the Joy
of your gentle womanhood." He
smiled whimsically. do you know
the words of the old song: VIII You
Have Me, Jennie WrenT"
And Jennie, true to nursery rhyme
tradition, whispered YES"