Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-08-09
CHAPTER v.
The Wishing Stone.

NftAPu En- W.
The Wishing Stone.
~ HE girls who had been invited
TIL to spend the night at the
I'LL Pines came early the next day,
ind l went to the fields with
Bud, for Miss Ellen told me that I
would only be in the way II I stayed
ct home. I saw Bud at his pillow and
watched how cheerfully he did the
work Of a day laborer. lit my pipe
and walked several Of the burrows
with him, and then, heartsick at see
ing this fine specimen Of young man
hood trudging YEARLY to and fro In
the thAnkless soil, / wandered OF In
the woods to dream OF Miss Ellen and
weave schemes for the rest Of the fam
NY when she would have become my
wifs. When? The question brought
with Il . flood Of doubt. for, after oil.
would she give up the work she had
undArtaken. or would her pride allow
her b accept any assistance for her
1amily1 I felt there were depths to
her nature which had not been able
10 sound in the short time had been
there.
J, Eoe fear Of wounding her had re-
nnklned silent, but I was now resolved
10 speak to her before leaving. and had
7 received orders that night to return
% Boston would have told her Of my
boundlsss love and asked her to be-
eethe my wife. Still wavering between
nyinelination 10 declare my love and
164r' % being too precipitate. I returned
10 the Piness I: did not zee her until
dinner time, however, then only during
I AAsty meal. after which We assisted
her to clear the table and place
humber Of small ones on the side porch
5oe The party. We laid the collation.
Cor tt evenings entertainment and
tksa went-to aress. 49,;
Il was With some missivings that
6Onned my evening suit. but on COM
ing downstairs I found the colonel At.
Sayed In one Of an anterior date and
Bud transformed from the pl0w hand
Of the morning in the suit he had
WON 1t the time Of his graduation. A
number Of young girls had arrived be-
1eee Miss Ellen came down. and the
rmsa were assembled at the foot Of the
Stairs ~ II waiting for her.
Ny heart seemed to stop beating a.
I saw her 1.-THE and graceful figure.
clad In IN old brocade Of her mother.
corning toward me. Her hair was built
high a her head, which seemed to
eheAss her whole appearance and
made mo start as Ieremembered my
dream picture. The brocade was fad
Cd. bnt IT. gloss and richness remain
- Her shoulders were bare. and her
Tilted chin gave her the air Of some
quaint old medieval picture come to
Am u. not In keeping with the
hosser she said. interpreting my
gasa.
.'YouNre like queen" said.
Their you shall my me court for
thls one night she answered and held
cot her hand to me. which took. and.
with the manner Of an old time south
en- gentleman. just as had seen Colo
nel Turpih do. bowed low and for
mement 1T my lips linger ON the tips
Of hee fingers.
'sYou have other courtiera." said one
Of several men who came forward to
join %.
She held out her hand. and a. she
I'd - she looked at me for a second.
She withdrew It gracefully and added.
with 4 smile. II was only admitting
Z new one" ana then babe me fol-
Jow her. She Introduced me here and
thsps aud told me how many times
I must dance with each. We went
- the porch. and. standing there. l
was again struck with the resem-
olaHce TO the lady In my dream.
You are like the first part Of my
picture" I said softly.
"Then let me play 1t for this even
Ing" she said. And IL you can Inn
sgins me q colonial dame you shall be
. courtier from King Georges court"
"0ead." cried. III you will admit
that have come across the seas
a.wooin4r
As yeu will. my lord" spreading
out her gown and courtesying. But
VIII not be responsible for the conse-
Quences. So see to 1t that you play
we'll your part. else I will send you to
your king again."
After that I addressed her only as
most gracious lady" or flair Mistress
Ellen" I wooed her in the strange
and quaint language Of a hundred
years ago. Sometimes she seemed
startled at my earnestness, and when
thinking my speech too fervent she
would bid me 60 hence and add an
other wallfower to my already large
bouquet I would straightway return
and tell her Of the court life and wove
amid my Imagery an odd mixture Of
my New England home. Once, taking
her hand for 4 moment and looking
into her eyes. I said:
"Ah. Ellen. love you well. and
would take you to q court In truth
where you would flnd royal welcome.
and you would be queen to every one
who knew you, and I would 80 guard
you that neither poverty nor sorrow
should ever come near you or to those
you love"
Il have naught to do with courts, my
lord" she said with a certain pathos,
and ] knew she was thinking of her
duty ut the Pines. $50 60 back to your