The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-07-05
A MODE ST
MAID
By D W. SPRINGER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.


took a train to make the visit. On
reaching the station-I was not ex
pected till an hour later-not finding a
conveyance to meet me, l 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 concluded to penetrate 1t.
Right in the middle there was swung
a hammock, and In the hammock lay a
young girl asleep.
Now, a young girl asleep in a ham
mock Is pretty sight at any time, but
II pretty and in a 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 heavtng Of
her breast. Her mouth was partly open
showing a narrow line of ivory be
tween a pair Of pink coral lips.
Well, though the natural conse-
quence of a young man seeing a girl
thus defenseless before him Is that be
cannot resist the temptation to kiss
her and get his ears boxed-not for
his pains, but his pleasure-I will en-.
deavor to describe what happened
advanced a step at a time. and with
every step forward 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
bolder. But while hating 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
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 l experienced dread
and reinsurance. The girl slept on. and
l. having achieved my purpose. be-
came suddenly conscious Of the
frightful risk had run and was
seized with 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 yeu my reason for inviting
you down. have wife picked out
for you"
"a wifer'
"Yes, a very lovely girl, modest, un.
assuming. pretty-indeed. everything
that is maidenly."
"And all this is for meY'
Eyes, but you must proceed with her
very slowly. She Is sensitive, pure
The least advance before an offer of
marriage would undeniably shock her.
For heavens sakew 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
chief charm am sure that alone Is
enough to make you love her."
81 dare say" replied. with proper
politeness.
When was presented to Miss Edith
Greer felt the guilt of Judas lscariot
weling up in me. I grew red and pale
by turns. l stammered out a few
words that didn't mean anything J
sat down before she or Mrs. South
wick had seated herself and jump.
ed up as II had encountered a tack
on the cushion Meanwhile Miss Greer
stood with her eyes bent on the floor
as If I were the first young man she
had ever met Mrs. Southwick came
to the rescue by inviting US into the
dining room for luncheon
The fact that the young lady dis.
played no such embarrassment as she
might have done had she been sensi-
Bile of the kiss 1 had stolen. that she
neither appeared shocked nor indig-
nant. brought a return of confidence.
found her rather too unsophisticated;
but. as Mrs Southwick had said, her
modesty was her chief charm. AS
noticed this | shuddered at the enor
nifty of my ofrense in pressing those
pure lips with mine and gave frequent
thanks that the piracy had not been
detected. r.
Mrs. Southwick made the match she
intended. The only difficulty In the
way was that the young lady was 50
sweetly innocent that it seemed
sacrilege to me to propose to her.
finally got out a proposition. and.
though at first she said she was too
young and too inexperienced to trust
herself to any man, since she regard
ed me the soul Of honor she would
commit herself to my keeping.
The denouement Of a love story
usually comes with a wedding. In