Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-05-27

the reply that we'll nigh splang TO his lips and
with ali bis cisivalry, II was exceedingly diff
cclt 10 saFpress it.
But Matte Palmer had heard all this as she
stocd near leaning over an engraving of rustic
life, Oh whose na,uralIles5 Mr.. Hunt was des-
can1ing, and her face flushed eagerly as she
turned toward lie trio, ard her sweet, earnest
voice answered. Grace remained at home 10
take charge Of ny school to-day. 50 that could
come here. L was uery, uery kind of her"
Charles MInson's proud face bent Matte
a look th2; she could hot interpret; 4 lock of
minS!,-d light gratitude and tenderness which
She had never seen there before.
He understood II all now-the sacrifice she
had made. and the pain it had cost her, and
looking down in his heart. he felt for the first
time, whose face shone there, serene aud holy
and that Grace Hammond was his souls cleo
tien.
No wonder bis companion repeated her ques-
ton three times before lie heard her.
$50 you prefer school teaching 70 sleigh rid
ing, do you, Grace? You know / always thought
you something of blue, but | never supposed
1t was the morning of the day after the Sleigh
ing party, and Grace was leaning over the rare
exotics which occupied the sitting-room win
dow; now peering into the rich heart of half
opened moss rose, cautiously lifting the deli
cate bells of the cematis- blooms sprin kIcd like
snow flakes among the dark leaves. She lifted
her face from the flowers, among which it was
hall concealed
"Why. cousin Charley, good morning! Who
told you had been teaching?"
No matter now. You needn't blush so pref
tily about it, though you a very naughty
Girl for not telling me the truth, and letting me
90 off offended with YOU" And he laid bis
hand on her shoulder, and looked fondly down
on the droopnig face, which surprise and en-
barrassment were incarnading with bushes
" Of course I couldn't tell you my sinotIve for
declining your invitation, cousin Charley she
sad, unconsciously pulling eff the geramum
leaves and scattering them on The carpet " 1t
would have looked quite too much like sound
ing trumpet in my own praise"
You're proud little girl arn't you Oracle?
But ] don't like you any the less for ii. He
snoothed, caressngly, the plaits of hair over the
fair forehead. " wonder if You will be too
Proud 70 answer the question l am about to ask
You r And leaning down, the young lawyer
whispered it TO the girl.
I do not know what the answer was but |
do know they stood long time conversing in a
low tone, By the window That morning. And
when Charles MUrson parted from Grace Ham
mond, he clasped both her hands in his and
said with mingled tenderness aad fervency =
" May God take care of you, my Grace"
+ "Now, tell ne. all about the ride. Matte
You know you're not going bone till after tea,
so just So down without any demurring." And
/ Grace pushed Aatgie into the cushioned arm
chair, aud tn,as ened her bonnet strings as she
spoke
:" We had n delightful time, Grace never
enjoyed myself lalf 50 mach in AL my life. =
But tie beginning Of the smile was half lost in
the biasaes that gathered into the unusuall y
pale face.
/ Grace saw these, and with a womsn's intui-
ton, she half divined what lay behind them
She pusAed stool Il, Matties feet. and The
gay Egat Of departing day looked into the
window and saw picture which an artist
would have reio.eed in
The graceful, unconscious attitudes OF the two
girls the sweet uplifted face ofthe one, the pure
air, half pensive outline of the other, shaded.
by its rich curls of brown black hair were IN
i beautiful contrast.
And was Mr.. Hunt is agreeable and chival-
rous as usual2" queried Grace, locking up arch
! " into her friends ewes
"Of course ne was. but We will not talk about
him now, darling. have come over here to saw
once more, Grace. darling | thank you, but
1 that seems a very little when tocl so much
i" Don't say il then, Matte, or rather say it
to God. that he gave me strength to resisttenpt-
alton, for it was not a light one, when Charley
came for me say it to God that he pu, it in M
I heart to pass one day of my life in doing unto
Others as would have them DO unto me"
/ Tears tears of happy gratitude were swell
ing in the blue eyes of Grace Hammond
Yes, darling, / will say it for you az have
said l. for myself every night for the past year
And Matte laid her hand solemnly on Grace
hair.
1t ha. been to ne year OF struggling and
bitterness, of darkness and tears Obi Grace
it is very hard thing to feel that the mother
you love, and the little sisters whose helpless.
ness only folds them closer TO your heart, are
dependent on you, for the bread they eat and
/ the roof which shelters them
Il know it is, dearest. and you have been a
brave, noble girl, to do and suffer all you have
during the past year, and
"Come, girls, supper all ready" Mrs Ham
n1oad's kindly tones broke into the room sud
denly, and terminated the interview
"Oh I'm 30 glad. Charley. and Grace sprana
up from the sofa, and claTped her hands glee
fully as child. The young man gazed int
the face Of his bs;hroiicd I'D though. how
-s-- 80. -, childl;ks .hs sen-nsd ,r,,h La