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

ton Hunt, NEST fervantly prsys
GRACE HAMuoxp.'
Not going. Grace. Why, you're surely
not IA earnest" and a look of mingled chagrin
and disappointment clouded tie fine features of
the young nan as lie turned them on bis com
pariun-
F" Yes ! am, Charley You see we made an
engagement for the day which renders il I'M
possible for me TO go. I'm sorry but il can't lie
helped.
Spite Of ler efforts. there wa, a little thic,d
Of disappointment running through tie size .ed
calTunc-s of the speakers voice.
a A fiddle your engagements, Grace. Why
this Will be the greatest sleighing party Ct lie
season. Come now don't think a moment Of
staying hon,e. We can't do without you, Il, all;
so 60 and get ready in a hurry, for we start at
ten. There's good girl"
Poor Grace: it was very hard TO refuse the
pleading Of those dark handsome eyes for
Charles Munson was more to the girlthan many
cousins indeed, he was rather nominally than
really her rela;ive-although some marriages
between members of their resi- ective families
gave the young people the privilege Of this ap-
pellation.
Charley, do not urge me, am very grateful
for your invitation, and it pains me than
you imagine 10 refuse it But am COM
PEELED TO do this
If Grace's manner cold, it was because
her words cost her such an effort.
Very well, Grace. OF course l shall not
press my claims any futher. Excuse me, if in
my desire to your company, l have been i'm
Fortunate. Good morning"
He lifted his hat with his natural grace, but
the old, frank smile was not on his lips "a he
left her.
There be is certainly offended with me
knew it would be So" murmured the girl, as
she sank back GA the sofa, while the tears brm-
med over her brown lashes, for Grace was ma
king no light sacrifice this morning.
I'm almost sorry l sent Matte that note this
morping but it's too late TO recall it. Charley
| II take Jane Morton with bin / know. and it
will be a triumph to her to think he's sighted
me-" and the fair, naughty face OF the doctors
daughter rose before the young girl, while
sharp pang of Jealousy quivered through her
heart.
But II was wearing towards nine o'clock and
Grace had little time Tor reflection
=" mus. get Tom to take me over in the cut
ter" murmured she a ] can easily gain mama $
consesut. she is SO kind Hearted, and Matte i,
such n favorte with her. Goodness r. glancinas
at small china clock on the mantle "I must
be Off in twenty minutes"
&" Oracle, Oracle, how shall thank Won ?"
Oracle stood at the window, rob.d for her
ride to the school, and waiting impatiently for
the sleigh to present itself at tie front gate
when these words ,ehispered, because of tic tears
that lay behind them reached her care.
She turned quickly. Why, Matte, what
la. brought you over here 2"
al could not go without than king you, Oh /
/ Grace, Grace you hare made me 50 happy
And nov Aatile's arms were round Graces neck
while great sobs were shaking her figure, and
tears raining from Ler large, mellow eyes.
you're real naughty gill" Graccs tone
VAS half eSpostulatory. half-scolding, +" Now
! you'll spoil that charming face Of yours, after
all my pains and SIZE stroked the rich brown
curls thar fell out Of the straw bonnet.
" Do you know you gong to pass this day
with the only son Of a millionoire, and who, by
this invitation gives every evidence Of Lavipc
been capt!Aatcd by your naughty little self? ~
Matte placed her hand upon Grace's lips,
and shut back the tears from her shining eyes
:: Oracle" she said and the tones, trimulous
at frst grew strong and deep with pathos SO
she proceeded-'.I | must be growing very weak
Tor it came 80 hard for me to refuse that invita-
ton this morning. Yen know its so long since
I've had any relaxaiion-any pleasure, and this
hard, barren, toilsome life seemed closing al
around me, and | struggling vainlv through il.
reaching ny gaze ont for the light that never
came, lifting my hands up with sharp cry for
the blessings that never filed them. And somc-
how that invitation was such a mockcry to noe !:
/ for yoE see, dear, was growing morbid and I
! thought how they would all 60 off light hearted
and happy, leaving choked in by the bare
walls Of the old school bouse.-Well | sat down
and wrote my regrets with steady hand but
/ OIL with such sad heart. Just as had fin-
| ished it, your note carne-oh Grace, how shall
tell you the rest?
by saying nothing about it, Matte. And
now do you 60 straight home and dress your
self as nicely a. possible for The ride There
comes Tom. Good bye, and "a bright 1ay to
you, darling" There was a quick ruin of soft
kisses the damp check of Matte Palmer, an d
Grace Hammond was gone
/ ! am not one Of those. reader, who believe
that the good dong always brings ct once its
own exceeding great reward but rather that 1t
! Is often times blessed legacy which The pres
ent bears through darkness and sorrow to dover
/ the future. And. therefore, | cannot assure YOU
/ that Grace Hammond passed an especially pleas
ant day at the old red school house which stood
at the intersection of the four principal stage
routes from Meadowbrook
F! l know that once during the morning a sud
den mist dsmPened her hazel eyes for the wind
brought the gay rythm of the sleigh bells to her
ears. and she heard the joyous laugh of the
/ young party. as it leaped out, full and rich on
/ the frosty air.
For r M -re-. the oaken desks, the long rows
of black, brown and haxen heads swan before
her, and 81 :" wish | was with them 7" rushed
involuntary to her lips. But the after thought