Show WON ba ROD f ant anil all over upland and lowland i the charm of tho the goldenrod golden rod some of us call it autumn anti anil others call it god our nells just about bad they told him as he passed on his way to work they shook their heads and catching his lengthening look their own faces fell still further in unconscious imitation when nell was in good health they had been apt to laugh at his undisguised devotion to lier her but now shaken by fear cut adrift from their habitual unquestioning trust in a vaguely realized providence they mind found an unexplained relief in handing on their apprehensions to ono one who was safe to feet feel all they were feeling with some possible addition of his own companions iri in adversity be jang ng the absolute need of their natures if there was anything lie he could do his expressive eyes implored their consideration of him with regard to any humblest sphere of usefulness as he lingered on the worn doorstep they certainly considered but for the moment nothing came to them to their obvious regret for although a possible son in law as even a lover for nell he had not attracted them lial had not greatly as it seemed attracted nell yet in times of oc sickness as her mother said there was no telling what mi might come in handy and they decided to leave the alie question an open one in the meantime at her own suggestion ivy a 5 year old plants yode rode home with him aloft on his wide shoulder bo be one less to male make a poise noise he nug suggested timidly the next night it was three loss less the two youngest boys inviting themselves elrad by avys account of her supper dipper and the glorious freedom of joes cottage might as well all conic come as likes alkes was his next suggestion and nells cramped little home bome was vas cleared of all the younger and noisy members of the family at least for the hours he be could claim as his own but joes ambition included a daily present for nell herself and that took some thinking out who could tell him ham how best to convey his strong hearts tender pity DRY for a loved and stricken lass by means of the few things at ills his comman command commande df since the nearest town was a train journey distant and all his were vere occupied lie ho was restricted to the produce of his garden or at best of the village shop As fresher he generally made it garden produce thus ilius beans and marrows formed his hig jave ove tokens while they lasted with stin still more inore homely first mills to aronow for nell ho he would say with a basket ot of potatoes bes toll tell her bresli dug no one told him that in n typhoid fever vegetables however howe vr afresh fresh are ah 21 y 1 ev f y L his daily dan offering forbidden dainties and not for fear of hurting his feelings s hut but because there were others who could eat them and wore were glad to nell grew better but she did not seem to understand tife the great gawk might have lin known 1 own as I 1 eat ills old rd garden ardeli stuff she would laugh while liar her laugh was waa still feeble isoble if he thinks thiela lies hes given me anything I 1 shall undeceive him pretty sharp cabbages indeed and me at deaths door then alic n at last came a saturday day afternoon when nell frail anar white bil but t looking prettier than ever before with the refining touch of illness to soften her rawer rainer too pronounced good gdud 1001 looks s took a walk in tho the direction as it chanced of joes cottage this was the longest walk she had taken and forced to move very slowly she had plenty ot 0 for loo looking liing about her br was able to see joe coming along for once before he saw sav her joe tidied up and carrying his daily offering a huge bunch of goldenrod instead of the custo customary inary cabbage 0 joe with a long face and hesitating gait for as a substitute for cabbages he thought b but poorly of the flowers himself the afternoon suno sunshine hine lit up the great bunch of goldenrod lit up joes face behind it Us ells hair where his eat cap allowed it to bo seen was axi tho color of the flowers his hier face was radiant with the smiles the sight of nell always brought to it it until he rea reached clied her and turned to walk at her side then it fell you out so far and me with nothing in bettor better to mark the day for you than these poor flowers ho be complained pla ined wild uns tins too it does seem contrary like tm im a bit wild myself times said nell with her feeble laugh so eko per haps tl silt so unsuitable tins e as all that but joe could not bear a word said against I 1 sell nell even by nell herself Yo bourre Your urro re ro 10 wild un lie ho declared sweetest gl girl rl over ever stopped dear heart I 1 cant have you yon be calling yourself goldenrod they names this stuff and if it was the real thing real gold with wath no rod to it then I 1 should feel V 1411 aa I 1 11 ell 1 I 1 knew better than that some right to ask you what will ot out whether or no seeing you so well does it nell for I 1 know the rough fellow I 1 am ain what a poor sort for a pretty girl like you and ive seen you laughing at me often enough but for love you squeeze more love nell out of any one human heart than there is in mine for you he stopped short then shook the flowers in his big fist vindictively if these were golden sovereigns all ait that would bring home a little nearer to td bearg worthy of you may be A foolish something caught him by the throat and his next words came in a strangled altered voice if they were sovereigns all would it could it make any difference nell tisa a sen senseless seles s question but could it no was nells whole answer an unaccustomed monosyllable isyou if you could even like me nell lie he pleaded 1 I 1 do said nell men ive told you that before could liking ever grow to love why not at last lie he looked at her and stood aghast at what it seemed he saw his face grew red under the tan his blue eyes stared distractedly the flowers fell from his nerveless lingers though he plainly tried lie he could nt nat speak defeat refusal he had expected and had trained himself to bear but the unexpected had unmanned him and in a hot and pa palpitating tating silence did joe t the he awkward aw meet the astounding fact that alter after zu all it was not refusal that awaited hini him nell cau caught ait at a branch of the gold en rod as it fell and twirled it in her thin fingers ive always liked you its only my way to laugh sho she said theres nothing 6 in it like as not ill laugh at you up tomy tomy dying day but if you take me find that theres no harm in that that it wont prevent me being a good wife and loving you when it changed to love jove I 1 dont know rightly but taut but I 1 know when you brought au all those cabbages and things 0 for the others to eat up and me nover never to see 1 I used to wish they was something I 1 might hold because it came from froin you and and I 1 hated the thought of cabbages till I 1 halt half thought I 1 hated you but when J saw apu coming albru with that great yellow ann sun on your face m malding it at shire shine lili li A a sun behind it and a nd bookins g so strong and bright I 1 knew better than that dut but jov joe had found his speech lord 11 how I 1 love you lie ho cried as aa his hir strong fu arms went round her all I 1 want said nell yet I 1 think if come witha lu abbage I 1 I 1 should have refus tilou tail jajou then bless the flower ri joe if if he be could not wholly understand such an attitude ho he was cont content erit to disregard what his mind wadad not grasp aras p while his arms |