Year: 1876

II shall accept her. invitation, see
her and have flirtation." said careless
Frank Munder


"Then. by Jove. you'll regret it, for
shesll use you as character for one Of
her stories for the local papers she
writes for. This reply. coming from
"chum Will Beach. was received
with burst of laughter bordering on
mockery and challenge from Frank.


..Let the result be as it may. shall
90. Come with me, Will, and watch
the finale; for she is green little
country girl and apt to believe any
thing / may tell her in regard to my
feelings towards her Then. you know.
Ill throw in some praise for her beauty.
be it ever SO small. and then my object
will be gained"


Then goodbye for the present. l
decline 10 witness the cruel joke; that
is if you carry it to point Of success "


As the two separated, a thought
came over Willis mind to write to the
young lady in question and give infor-
nation that would put her on guard
for any assault on her affections. but
he postponed it. intending to do SO after
Frank had made the visit.


l9 Down near the quiet and retired town
Of Odessa. Delaware, lived the timid.
pretty little school teacher. Lille B
Laurine; living SO faithfully for her
neighbors' welfare and caring so little
for her own that there seldom came
cloud over her life that was not easily
dispersed. The school children had been
trained and drilled by loving persuasion
to leave off their former habits Of throw
ing each other out Of windows. jumping
off the school house and tearing each
others books to pieces; SO the days
came and went with no unusual change
Of scenes. except when new scholar
was brought in and had to 60 through
formal introduction to the whole
school. Vacation arrived at last. just
as spring, who had been rather tardy,
made her appearance. Lille, tired
Lille. concluded TO pay visit to hel
relatives in Philadelphia. and in this
way found recreation. After her arrival
in The city every place Of interest was
visited, enjoyments in number we're
added. and the time fer her return home
was drawing near. when by accident
she was introduced to stylish Frank
Munder. She did not act the silly
goose and do as most young girls do :
fall in love with him or his stylish
clothing or moustacbe 1t was with her
dignity coupled with intelligence, and
to draw closer intimacy one was
obliged to associate with her a great
deal The evening before Lille left the
city she said:


"Mr.- Munder, I should be happy to
have you call on me in my Delaware
home this summer. Peaches, pears.
grapes. apples. strawberries. and all
other fruits will be in abundance, and
I'm sure you'll enjoy them when fresh"


THANK you. Miss Laurine. shall
be happy if / can accept your invita-
ton"


So the two parted with nothing to
regret. unless it was Frank for having
to part with his last subject for fir
tation. The fact was he bad met with so
many rehnkes from Lille that he began
to half like or love" her.


August was glowing month. Peach
orchards blazed with large fruit, and
apples and pears were in abundance
Every Delaware heart throbbed with
thankfulness for such bountecus pro-
vision. On the 18th the Laurine farm
house was scene Of active preparation
for the coming guest, Frank Munder
The carriage was ordered in the even
ing and Lille and her younger brother
drove to the Middletown depot to meet
him. OF course. he was welcomed in