Mower County transcript., 1871-08-03
VOLUME w.

louugiug figure had brought some new Gle
ment iuto the sccnc-a quick, throbbint
happiness, al idle, careless unrest.
Breaking in upon my sudden, siIen
| thought, Scots few quiet words had Al
| odd effect.
How is my mother to-day, Walter?"
"Complaining a little, as usual, old fel
low, and, rs usual, very unwilling for hi
to leave her"
Did she send nc a mcssagey
"Not a bit Of it. Her only parting
prayer to me was not to ride Satanslla."
"And suppose you mounted her imme
iiatclyY' / asked, beginning to feel lit
tie tired, and wishing they would CO.
"Ne, for was in the idle when sh'
spoke. You will ride with me this after
noon, won't you, Pennie?
And Pcnnic, who loved these rides will
Walter more than anything else through
all her day, blushcd gladly as she nodded
her Yes.
Come now for stroll in the garden
l came carly on purpose for that" said
Walter in the loving tone OF appreciation
which led Pcnnic irresistibly.
She whispered goodbye to me, ant
they went of together through the low
open window; their happy voices coming
back to us on the scented summer breath
DAY after day Scot and watched them
walking together; yet though they filled
our hearts, we never spoke OF them when
we two were lcfL behind.
IL shall leave you now, Charlie, fol
your rest
"Wh.rc arc You going:" asked, for
Scot generally sat with me reading through
this hour
"Not far, dear fellow" he answered,
setting my pillows comfortably for me-
II shall BIC ready to drive you at our
usual time"
Left to myself, tried very hard to think
of nothing; and, of course, thought of
many, many things; trying to put them
s,rai ght and pleasant for us all, but failed
in the effort, ~ l had failed often and
often before Then l tried to let quiet
trust creep into my heart and still the
restless anxiety which was now its con-
stant guest.
Years ago, when Scot was only boy
head boy at tho Easterwood Grammer
School, and taking all the prizes, guessed
no; hardly guessed, l knew-that he
loved my sister better than anyone else in
the world. True, he had no very near
relations Of his own to love; but if he
had had l fancy it would have been just
the same. was young fourth-form boy
in those days, at home on sick leave three
quarters of the time; and Pcnnie way
ward, nlischicvous little girl, attempting
all my lessons, but never taking the small.
est heed of her own; yet we never fancied
Scot At all superior to us, because lie was
bimself so thoroughly unconscious OF
superiority. He did not come to our
house very much, he worked too hard tor
this; but his half brother, Walter-a pop
and who did not work his way into the
petually, that he grew to seem a very part
of our home life. He was such pleasant,
winning lad that his very vanity seemed
excusable; his very selfishncss, anus
ing; and his love of pleasure M.
tural and irresistible. Pennie noticed
none of these qualities in Walter.
She saw him from the first handsome,
daring protector and patron; boy-lover,
who took it for granted that she loved
him, and won her heart for doing 50. And
now that Walter WAS tall, handsome fel-
low of three and twenty, and Pennie,
with her gleam of childishness, and titful,
authoritative humOrs, was nearly eighteen,
his love is just the love 1t had been from
the first-unharasscd by any doubt; un-
disturbed by any quarrel untouched by
any passion; fresh and gay, and glad, de
spite the deep and troubled shadow which
it cast upon the lonely path that it forever
crossed.
Walters widowed mother lived about
two miles from us, at Easter Hill, and had
very comfortable property of her own,
which, of course, Walter would inherit
Poor Scot, her stop-son, had $50 year of
his own; but he had wealth enough in his
deep, clear head; and there was as much
truth in Mrs Governs Indifferent opinion,
"Oh, Scot is sure to get on, pcnniless as
he is," az she was in the proud addition,
Dear Walter would never have done to
be- poor" don't think Mrs. Cowcn dis
liked Scot, at all, she was only utterly in
different about him, and ncglcctful of him
Her heart WAS so entirely filled by Walter
that she really had no room for any one
else; not even for Pcnnic, though do be.
lieve she tried to love her because Walter
loved her.
When Scot lett Oxford, where, with his
talents, and $50 year, he had won him.
self glorious honors, he became my tutor
for time, ard lived with lis entirely All
my life shall be glad and grateful for
this, for he has taught me as NO one else
could have done; making my studies
healthful and pleasant to me, and rousing g
me chcrrily from the ]anguid, idle life,
which, in my, weakness and inactivity, :!
might 50 easily have led. but, during all
Scots lessons, l had one sore heart ache
and this was through Pennies determine.
tion to have lessons with me to learn all
j learnt. and for Scot to teach it to her
: ri Sh0 Unu16 NJ rsyhOf 7 knnu
we'll Would not understand with what q
dangerous mixture of pain and pleasure,
and Joy and anguish. she troubled all his
DAYS. Poor Scot! 1t would have been
difficult work to teach her with her puz.
z'ing questions and frequent inattcntion)
if he had not loved her, but, loving her as
he did, and knowing what he knew, did
not wonder at the old, still look which
was creeping into his young face my own
watching eyes grew dim as read its un-
whispered struggle. And still, in defiance
Of all my entreaties, Pcnnic would Insist
on being taught with me; mastering
quickly and brilliantly what my lower ma
l"rc could not grasp; entering into Scots
opinions, Aud rcadin~ rapidly his own hale
formed thoughts. Turning round aud
laughing ut his pc'|sntry; flashing scorn
lnl, provoking words and chances at him
then daint;ly and proudly, in his very
presence, lmrading the happy, trusting
love she gave his brother.
All these things I was thinking over, az
| had thought them over many and many
u lonely time before, when the luuchcol
bell rang, and Pcnnie danced in, thai
Walter might give me an arm.
II knew Scot was cut, because saw
him n1n1Ainr Eoo Hill - al, Il
"WhAt has he gone home for?"
told her l did not know, and sh,
looked across at Walter rather puzzled
Then she laughed
IL know, Walter. He is afraid you
mother may he frightened about Satnncllu
and he has gone to rcassurc her"
81 hope he may succeed" replied Wal
ter, little snecringly.
IL hope he has ridden Satapella him
self" l said. mot walked all that dust,
up hill road"
"No; he was walking" answered Pen
nie. You may depend that was the rcaso,
as I say. II is Just the sort of thing poo
Scot would be likely to do"
| "POor Scot, indeed" echoed Walter
And slipped my hand from his arm, AM
went alone into the dining room
Scot did not appear through the meal
but Just as Pennic had declared her dc
termination to drive me instead of riding
he cana up to us; his face was vcr,
white, as it always was when he was tirc'
Or hot
81 am plpl to see you back to-'lay
Scot, said Walter, with Il heavy emphasis
as nc ordered Pennies horse; lor W.
were nearly missing cur ride. Come
renn,'' 1t Will he doub1y valuable to II