Hilda's Mascot

rom Springfield to pass the night under the homestead roof, a thrill of boyish delight payin

had seen that his favorite dishes were prepared for the evening

gly through the open door of the parlor, after pressi

he vases. She expects several of the young peo

s this evening," commented Fred, a

attentions among the girls, and not devote them to one of them, as you have a habit of doing. You know

ement. "You will blight my prospects if you proclaim me fickle. I am afraid an earnest girl wou

n offer of his hand and hea

t vote! Lots of fellows are settled in life at that

ath to the arbor, where sat Hilda upon a rustic chair, the table befor

ed her graceful figure to perfection, and was finished at throat and wrists with filmy white frills. From the pocket of her white apron peeped the handles of bright scissors, and a b

r, yet he called to mind that he had thought the same of every toilet in which she appe

ped under the pressure betrayed his near a

Fred," she said;

Cousin Fred?" he asked, t

e. You reminded me forcibly of th

to wear this evening?" he asked, lau

Cousin Paul. See the little beauty," and

ul?" he asked, his smile becoming les

rself, he is, by c

for him, leaving you at liberty to make them for me

d be no need for me to make a boutonniere for him; but she has gon

am to be best man, and y

arge bouquet. Will you please get it

undance of the heart the mouth speaketh," and it came as natural for Fred Warfield to speak of love to a pretty girl as it is for a broker to discuss

uncouth as, leaning against the door frame of the arbor, he watched Hil

ul, cousin," he said

d serenely, without gla

her in undisguis

u; you have been told

and appreciative sm

o express your opinion of your own beauty?" he

opinion; I only agreed with yours," and she gave minute

e should tell you; some stranger, for instance. It wou

that a stranger will not be at all likely to comment upon my beauty in my presence. That

nd my opinions. Cousin Hilda! Y

evening, and willing to charm us with your choicest pieces on piano and mando

that he went back to Springfield in the train with me that 'Meesh He

eartily at the expression of face and

n I take my next lesson!" she said, wiping

hink of me; I am onl

progress I have made in music. You gave me such thorough instruction in the rudiments th

interest in me? You know tha

est in you, except as a cousin!" replied the girl,

to each other in age, position an

on; you have not

d Fred in surprise. "We have neve

reover, I have been taught to control it. De

Have you forgotten that I asked you to care for

ve said the same to so many girls tha

uel, and I know who told you

ks you very handsome, and wonders that you are so much hands

burlesque upon his own name. I take it for granted that he will be as awkward as

n spite of herself; "but I think it is caused by embarrassment, and he

good qualities. Please inform me of wh

stness and stability; there is nothing trifling in his manner; one ma

ented Fred, flushing uneasily. "I scarcely thought that one year

f others; everyone speaks

han a friendly i

ly saying what is my real opinion of him. He is your fr

if I tell the truth I must say

it. Conceited people are so comfortable that they can afford to be agreeable. It really app

eak from e

from obs

ulous in Jack Prettyman wit

ast time he took me out driving he

ving with him," responded Fred, his

d of me to inform you. Aunt Sarah sanct

el so uncertain of you! You never appear to believe me in earn

it selfish if I as

omise gladly. Do

Sarah and I drive out a

you so cold, so indifferent to me? You keep me always anxious. Prom

omising? You will change your mi

not let go your h

o ring. I heard Angie ta

prom

sed, then released, and Hil

ed," she said, holding th

ten it," he s

ed them according to their language

and only fr

the arbor-

ur image in

t I hav

enerous

f for all

spray of

aced on bre

e and frie

two pa

ou love,

ies, that's

ent in the button-hole of his coat, and

ad hoped for was in the way of being realized, but gave no evidence of it by word or manner-she would

field smiled at the dignity of his demeanor, bespeaking as it did the engaged young man

ne evening without upsetting his chair or breaking

arbor. Birds were twittering in the trees overhead, and colonies of ants dotted with their hills the ground at his feet. Innumera

that Hilda would give him a few minutes of her society before he left for Springfield. But anxiously as he looked toward the house, he saw no evidence of

ng me," thought Fred; "she migh

shed, and he had no excuse for waiting that morning. Moreover, Paul, his mother and

re coming home next time, mother," h

ou, my son; your homecomi

fter his visit home, and with chair tilted back, feet elevated and eyes closed, he recall

cause, but was not disturbed in the least, satisfie