Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-03

SSE uS aSuAA N3h 1>3SSt W
se..-sd. and go-and so
re fluffy head sank down to the
II n o. the chair and she sobbed.
Weeks passed and the youth and
1cs girl passed each other with
sYsT::ed looks or frankly belliserent
ata7eB. Once, notably on an evening
O.; The fragrant, glamour-flled variety,
| lhs heart Of the youth eoftened and
20 started out through the moonlit
enchantment toward the porch and
the wicker chairs. But as he neared
he familiar environment there came
soaring through him the memory OF
his innocent remark and the strange
| look and vivid blush that had greeted
It. His resolution turned to gall with
Ia him. He driited aimlessly down
side avenue. whence he wandered 10
| the outskirts to sit on lone rock and
curse fate.
Gradually he began to meet the
maiden and Bennett going about to-
! gether. Presently he met her st q
! dance. Though she kept far from his
vicinity, and her silvery mirth seemed
oftenest mingled with BENEFITS bray
! ing laughter, he imagined with a
thrill OF rising hope that her vivacity
was not quite SO genuine, her eyes
not quite go sparkling bright nor her
| beauty so radiantIy undimmed as IN
the days OF his uninterrupted deyo'
| ton.
Nevertheless rumors began to reach
| him that the girl and Bennett were en-
| gagged.
There came an October evening.
chill and gray The blood-red rays
| OF the setting sun struggled through
banks of stormy cloud, across wind
swept reaches Of dead leaves and up
on q wide, vine-hung porch, where
Lwo wicker chairs were drawn stifhy
apart. In one sat girl. SHINY PLAIN
as to long ulster and jaunty cap, dis
concertingly distant Of mien. In the
other sat a youth, mournful, Swallowed
! of eye, OF an ensemble which accorded
cheerlessly with the girl. the night,
and the general atmosphere Of ruin
and decay.
II brought you that autumn foil
age" he was saying bleakly, mot be-
cause I thought you would care for
il. or value 1t as from one-tlme
friend, but merely as 4 symbol Of the
death OF our--er-"
Thank you" she murmnred alb
sently.
He leaned back heavily, and the
wind moaped IN dirge-like cadence
through The deepening gloom.
1t was good OF you to let me sec
sou. for the last goodby."
Il had nothing else to do" she sd'
United with faint regret "Mr. Ben
nett is out Of town"
The youths eyes burned with j
dull fury. The fiery rim OF the GRIM
;ca sun shot an angry gieam at their
feet. Suddenly he leaned forward
cheerless decision in his air.
You needn't pay any attention to
it, OF course" be chanted YEARLY
Il don't expect you to. But I'm going
10 do it again-just to round the thing
out and-er-because I'm accustomed
10 doing il, and | miss it. Here it IS
love you. l have always loved you
| an going to love you to the bitter
end. Will you marry me-"
Yes" said the maid.
The sun shot down precipltately
wrathiully. The youth sat petriiled
immobie, his mouth still partly open
sEpe: girl looked back at him with Level
l;sNes.
t'i''"I said you looked sillIest doing II
i:ir: the moonlight" she tainted. you
I'lon,t.'''
lG:E+IVhy did you blush?" he asked
tehderl..
Annoyance spread over the face Of
! the maiden.
i, II refuse TO discuss it." she said.
!, again the mystery. unsolved! Fol
one fateful moment the heart OF the
youth. grew cold with doubt and
things threatened to go wrong agar
for; erermore. Then an illuminine
thought leaped in. She was going tc
marry him. What mattered 1t?
li:::aI have it," he announced e1ult
antly. you were blushing over the
Thought Of being silly enough to blush
over Bennett"
;.:,"Exactly!" she murmured with Joy
full pride. How clever, dear!"
Then peace and darkness fell.