Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-11-03

dozen others in the village. Was she
going to leave him so without clue?
81 am Mary Gardner" she said SIM
ply. Good night" ...... .....E.
And the door closed upon her.
Harry Bultinch had a day to spend in
Ashcroft; and, after transacting his
business, he called in the evening at the
cottage of the Widow Gardner,
Mary Gardner opened the door. This
storm last night. A child after all. She
could be hardly seventeen, yet there was
about her graceful womanliness that
cOntradicted the child. She wore dress
of some neutral tint, soft and restful to
the eye, with single spot of vivid crim-
son velvet fastening the cellar of snowy
linen at the throat. The hair-lustrous,
purple black-was gathered back in
heavy loops. A dark, oval face, sensi-
tive lips, chin too delicate for dimples,
and eyes that fairly took his breath
large, luminous, dark, the very eyes that
weeks ago had looked such comfort on
him from the street. He recognized
them instantly. ....
And she? For one moment he fancied
that it was flush of surprise that deep
ened the rose-pink on her cheek to YER
million. He almost thought the recog-
milton mutual. But her welcome, tho
cordial, was sc demurely dignificd, that
he dismissed the fancy.
The room was simply furnished, warm
and homelike. On the bed, in an inner
room, the invalid mother lay asleep. So
they sat down by the work table, and
conversed in subdued tones while Mary
went on with her sewing,
The kitten purred on the hearth. The
| fire cracked and blazed. Harry played
with the balls in Mary's work basket.
He had enjoyed nothing so cosy and do.
mestic for many day.
Mary talked like herself, but she was
capital listener, lifting those great,
soft eyes, now and then, full of intclli.
gent sympathy, and throwing back lit.
tie quick responses. And Harry grew
brilliant. He was surprised at himself
Alice Brent, with her msddening, ma.
genta cheeks, and tdpis iuzuRi eyes, had
not inspired him like this quiet girl
with her faint, wavcring bushes, and
rare replies. When he took his leave
he said:
have quite little journey before
me-a six weeks trip ut least: and !
shall stop in Ashcroft on my return.
hope to find your mother much better
GOod-by."
That was all.
1t was two months before he came
back.
Once more the train came into Ash
croft late at night. As Harry Bul.incl
went down the street, he ipvoluntarily
peered into the darkness for the child
ish figure that had proceeded him be
fore. Once he caught the fluttcr of ,
woman's garment and 1t set his hear
to beating. He smiled ut his own ca
gerness AS he approached the cottage
his pace slackened. 1t was a late hour
to call. But the windows were lighted
ana he could see 2 woman . figure NOV,
ing to and fro. He raped at the door
a middle-aged woman, a stranger, open
ed it. Had he mistaken the house?
He inquired for Mrs. Gardner.
Mrs. Gardner? Poor soul! she dice
a month ago"
And her daugiterT
Mary had gone back tc thc city where
she worked before. That was the ex.
tent Of the woman's information.
He turned away bitterly disappointed
He had not known before with wha
eagerness he had been looking forwar,
to this meeting. Nevertheless she wa
in the city and he would find her.
With this thought he consolcd him
self rs he could. He returned to TIN
J city, but for weeks his search prove,
unavailing.
But one day he had an advertisement
to insert In one OF the weekly papers.
He had finished his business with tn,
editor, and was passing through tn
press-rOOm. His eyes ran along the row
of type-settcrs of both sexes who wer,
busy at work, and was arrested sudden
ly by "a figure bending over a FORM n
the farther end of the room. His hear
gave n sudden throb. There was M
mistaking the contour of that pcrfcc
head and face. He moved toward tn,
window where she stood, and paused a
n little distance, watching her swift
!, ingers at work and studying her face
How pale and patient it was! How
tired she lookedl Was she gsts: IL
had thought SO q moment since but
!. warm glow had stolen into her cheeks
; She raised her head quickly turned mn,
saw him.
He stepped forward with an impetu
ous movement
Z" have found you at last. Why di,
you leave no message for me ?"
His tone was subdued; the question
Il roproach.
She drew q long sigh, and held on
two little type-stained hands to be taker
into his. ......
81 don't know. 1 am glad to b,
found" -....... .' .'...
$50 you were in love with Alic,
Brent, and she rejected you?n
Harry threw his arm across Mary
lap and looked up into her free. II,
was on q iiassock at her feet.
Actually rejected fine fellow lik,
me. Curious, wasn't it?o
1t must have been that your eve
were too blue, and your hair was tot
brown.u
And Mary ran her fingers throug!
the locks of tawny gold.
And that was only three months
ago.. was in love, toe, three months
ago." 81
The blue eyes flashed up quick ant
questioning.
| "You?n ......
a."
The young man suddenly Withdrew
his arm and sat up very straight.
Yes" Mary went.on With mis-
chievous smile lurking about he
mouth. was in love with youn,
merchants clerk whom ] used to SCI
at the door or window of store l hat
to pass in going to and coming from
my work. Sometimes | would mee
him on the street, looking down ant
smiling little to himself. He wa
thinking of Alice Brent then, 1 sup
pose"
| The clOuded face of bar listoncr fl,e;