White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-02-03
CHAPTER VIII.


Hugh had ordered George, the Asiatic
to saddle the ponies after dinner, intend,
ing to ask Mildred to take ride north.
ward, through the pine woods; but or
making inquiries. be found that she had
walked ont, leaving word that she should
be absent all day.
"Confound it % thought he-"a mis-
hap at the start Pm afraid the omen
isn't good one. However. / must kill time
some way. / can't lay up here, like ship
in ordinary; better be shaken by storms
or covered with barnacles at sea. than be
housed up, worm-eaten, or crumbled into
powder by dry-rot on Shore"
He went to ride alone. but did not go
IN the direction Of the pine woods.
Mildred conld not get over the unpleas-
ant impressions of the morning, so, ratll-
er than remain in her room this fine day,
she had walked across the meadow, east
of the mill pond, to farm house, where
she was frequent and welcome visitor.
On her way, she called for Lizzy Hard
wick, the blacksmith's daughter, who
accompanied her. Mr.. Afford, the farmer,
was a blunt. good humored, and rather
eccentric man, sbrewd and we'll 10 do,
but kindly and charitable. lie had no
children, and he enjoyed the occasional
visits of his favorites heartily /; so did his
wife, Aunt Mercy. Her broad face bright.
ened as she saw the girls coming, and her
plump hands were both extended to greet
them. They went to the dairy to see the
creaking cheese-presses, ate of the fresh
curd, saw the golden stores of butter
thence to the barn, where they clambered
upon the hay NOW, found the nest of a
bantam, took some of the little eggs in
their pOckets-then coming into the yard,
they patted the calves heads, scattered
oats forthe doves. that, with pink feet and
pearly blCe necks, crowded around them
to be fed, and next began to chase a fine
old gander down to the brook, when Mr..
Afford, getting over the fence, called out,
"Hold on. girls don't bother Uncle
Ralph don't %
"Where is Uncle Ralph ?" asked Mil
bred.
"Why, that gander you've been chas-
in and he's about the han soonest bird
l know on, too. Talk about swans -
there never was finer neck, nor prettier
coat Of feathers on anything that ever
swum. His wings are powerful only
let him spread 'em, and up he goes but
as for his feet, he limps Just little. as you
see. No offence, Lizzy. | love your
father as well as you do but when 1
hear him, with his idees so grand-the
minister don't begin with himAand yet
to be bothered, as he is sometimes, to get
a word out, / think. of my good old fell
low here, whose wings are so much bet
ter n his legs Come here, Ralph You
see he knows his name There l"-pat.
ting his head-"that's a good fellow
Now go and hell marin to attend to your
goslins.
The kindly tone and the careSs took
away from the comparison any idea of
lisrespecs. and the girls laughed at the
odd eonceit--Lizzy. at least, not little
proud Of the implied compliment. Mr..
Afford left them to attend to his affairs,
and they went on with their romp--run-
ming on the top of the smoth wall beside
the meadow, gathering clusters of lilac
blossoms from the fatherly great posy that
grew on the sunny side Of the house, and
admiring the solitary state Of the peacock.
as with dainty step, he trailed bis royal
robe over the swafd. Soon they heard
voices at the house. and. going round the
corner Of the shed. saw Uncle Ralph and
Mark Davenport talking with Mr.. Afford
at the door.
Not to make mystery of simple
matter, the blacksmith had come to bor-
row of Mr. Afford the money necessary
to make up the amount owing by Mark
to the Kinloch estate.
The Young man had shown great read
mess to accompany his uncle: praise
worthy, certainly; but / am inclined to
think he had somehow got an intimation
that the girls had preceded him. al
Fortunately the farmer was able 10 lend
the sum wanted, and, as he had an GRAND
in town, he took MIR. Ha-dwick with him
in his wagon. oe @
Mark was left, nothing loath, to walk
home with the girls. Do not think he
was wanting in affection for his cousin
Lizzy. if he wished that she were. just
for one hour, hundred miles away. They
took path that led over the plain to the
river, intending to cross upon foot
bridge, short distance above the village.
But though Mark was obliged to be silent
on the matter he had most at heart. Mil
dred was not unaware OF his feelings. A
tone, look, grasp Of the hand serves
for an index, quite as well as the most
fervent speech. The river makes a beau
tiful bend near the foot bridge, and its
bank is covered with young growth OF
white pines. They sat down ona hilloek.
under the trees, whose spicy perfumeflled
the air, and looked down the stream to-
wards the village. How fair i lay In the
self air of that June dSy The water
was deep and blue, with reelected heay-
en-. The mills that cluster about the dam,
a mile below. were partially concealed BY
young elms. silvsr-poplars, and water-ma-
pies. Gardenssloped on either bank to the
waters edge. Neat, white houses gleam-