The herald., 1911-09-28
A MODEST
MAID
By D. W. SPRINGER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
By D. W. SPRINGER

| to come down to her country place.
She said she had an especial reason for
asking me. but didn't tell me what 1t
was. So one midsummer morning /
took a train to make the visit. On
reaching the station-l was not ex-
pected till an hour later-not finding a
conveyance to meet me. ] concluded to
leave my baggage at the station and
walk. Never having been to Mrs.
Southwick's place before. was obliged
to inquire the way and was put on to a
short route. at the end of which could
enter the grounds at the rear On
arrival l climbed a fence and walked
some three or four hundred yards to
a clump Of trees. which was so invit-
ing that l concluded to penetrate II.
Right In the middle there was swung
a hammock. and In the hammock lay
young girl asleep.
Now, a young girl asleep In a ham.
mock is pretty sight at any time. but
II pretty and in shaded nook she
is tempting. This one was very pretty.
There was about her that relaxation
artists love to get In their pictures and
statuary. There was a slow heaving Of
her breast. Her mouth was partly open.
showing a narrow line of ivory be
tween pair Of pink coral lips.
Well. though the natural conse-
quence Of a young man seeing a girl
thus defenseless before him Is that he
cannot resist the temptation to kiss
her and get his ears boxed-not for
his pains. but his pleasure will en-
deavor to describe what happened. ]
advanced a step at time. and with
every step forward I took ten back
ward In my resolution not to dishon-
estly steal what did not belong to me
| reached a point but yard from the
sleeper without waking her. She was
slumbering so calmly that for some
time dared not proceed farther for
fear of awakening her Had she slept
more soundly might have been
holder. But while battling ] was grad
ually filing with bravery-or reckless
ness AS soon as had gathered
enough courage for the purpose l ad-
vanced another step or two. halted.
then bent down to see how near l
could bring my face to hers without
Weakening her. then touched my lips
lightly to hers.
Beyond slight spasmodic move
ment she remained the same. Within
single moment | experienced dread
and reinsurance. The girl slept on. and
I, having achieved my purpose. be-
came suddenly conscious Of the
frightful risk had run and was
seized with a desire to escape the con-
sequences of my offense. ! withdrew
as stealthily as possible and proceed
ed to the house.
was received by Mrs. Southwick
with a hearty welcome. and we sat
down together on wicker chairs on the
piazza. And now that you are here"
she said. "and while we are alone /
will give You my reason for inviting
you down. / have a wife picked out
for you"
"A wife,
"Yes. very lovely girl. modest, IN
pretty-indeed. everything
that is maidenly."
And all this Is for meY'
"Yes. but you must proceed with her |
very slowly. She is sensitive. pure |
The least advance before an offer of |
would undeniably shock her"
For heavens sake!" exclaimed in |
wardly. Suppose she should be the |
girl asleep In the hammock"
1T Is this maidenly modesty." con |
tinued the go-between. that is Edith's
enough to make you love her."
II dare say" replied. with proper
politeness.
When ! was presented to Miss Edith |
Greer felt the guilt Of Judas Iscariot
weIling up in me. grew red and pale
by turns | stammered out a few
words that didn't mean anything.
sat down before she or Mrs. South
wick bad seated herself and jump
I'd up as II had encountered tack
IN the cushion. Meanwhile Miss Greer
stood with her eyes bent on the floor
Is II were the first young man she
lad ever. met Mrs. Southwick came
o the rescue by inviting US into the
lining room for luncheon.
The fact that the young lady dis
played no such embarrassment as she
night have done had she been sensi-
DE of the kiss I had stolen, that she
leither appeared shocked nor indig-
liant, brought a return Of confidence.
found her rather too unsophisticated;
)ut, as Mrs. Southwick had said, her
nodesty was her chief charm. As I
noticed this I shuddered at the enor.
nifty Of my offense in pressing those
,ure lips with mine and gave frequent
hanks that the piracy had not been
Mrs. Southwick made the match she
Intended. The only difficulty in the
way was that the young lady was 81
weetly innocent that 1t seemed a
to me to propose to her.
lnally got out proposition. and.
hough at first she said she was too
'oung and too inexperienced to trust
lerself to any man. since she regard
d me the soul of honor she would
ommit herself to my keeping.
nm