Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-09-22
And the little old man chuckled

BIC 10 SVutAhS up dulUC d SVAi
these folks. | rather like her. There
goes that other one again. | suppose il
is Maria Dalton; but she's made Sigh
mistake u
"What do you suppose John Hay
ward cares for you? You have not even
a pretty face to recommend you; and
then. you are nothing but beggar
Bah what ninny you are ~
"Will you tell me one thing?" came
in a faint, pleading voice. " Are you
and John going to bemarried ?"
There was quite pause. and the man
at the door grew impatient.
Then came the answer, sharp and ma
licious:
eyes, we are y
"Oh p
This exclamation came from Hatty
and it was so full of pain and despair
that the old man involuntarily stepped
into the room.
"The weather seems to be unsettled?'
said he to himself, "and | shall not be
surprised if some of these folks get
wrecked in the storm. What hor-
nets nest it must BEL And there's the
queen herself" he added, as his gaze
fell upon Maria Dalton's dark. hand
some face.
She stood in the door leading into the
great entry, with her hand raised
| threateningly, and her black eyes flash
ed angrily, while Hatty Sinclair stood
by the window with her back turned
| toward to her tormentor, that she might
| hide the tears which were streaming
down her flushed cheeks.
Neither of them saw the old man,
and he spoke to make his presence
known.
"Good-day, ladies. I've been taking
little tramp hereabouts, and, as | got
rather tired, | thought would stop in
and rest little
"You are welcome" said Hatty,
turning her fearful face toward him.
But Maria spoke tartly:
"We do not keep hotel. You will
find one at the village"
| "But / am not at the village" said
the man, cody taking a seat, and
chuckling to himself as he saw the dark
cloud gathering on Maria's face. 81 am
very tired, too, and quite hungry"
| The cloud grew blacker; but ere the
storm burst, John Hayward entered the
room.
Instantly Maria's face was all sun
shine.
"Storm is past for the present" ,"
thought the little man but there is
no knowing how long we shall have fair
weather, so [ will make the most OF. il" "
Then to John Hayward: ~ just stop
ped in to rest moment, and get bite
| to eat"
"You are welcome, SIR" said John,
frankly. Hatty, will you get him a
lunch? Or, perhaps you will stay to
| tea 2"
"Thank you, sir; but 1 will go on to
the village, where, that lady tells me,
there is hotell"
Maria shot him look out of her
| flashing eyes that called smile to his
| face. But John did not see it for he
was watching Hatty as she fitted here
and there, preparing the lunch for the
visitor. Then he and Maria left the
| kitchen.
The man was apparently very hungry
| Judging from the length of time requir-
ed to satisfy himself. And all the while
he was plying Hatty with questions
dUOuG uSTS0lI dllIt uSI ptI6uCS, tIlI CHS
poor girl began to think he was crazy.
But at length he arose to go, and with
many thanks to Hatty, and promise
to see her again soon, he took his de-
parture.
A week passed, and the old man
again stood at the door Of the Hayward
farm house. 1t was quite dark, and he
sat down on the stone step, listening to
the joyous music and the happy
laughter that came from the house.
Presently 1.-THE figure fitted past
him, and he recognized Hatty Sinclair.
He hurried after her, and soon over
took her.
"You have left them at last ?" said
he, inquiringly. "Where are you
going?"
II cannot tell" said she, stopping
and looking back to the house.
Poor child She had not thought of
that.
"You can go with me" said the man.
Your father was my brother, Hatty |!
| am your Uncle James !"
Hatty gave glad cry; but the next
moment she thought of the misery that
had driven her away, and burst into
tears.
"Poor grill" Did they drive you
away?
els going to be married to Maria,
tonight" said she musingly.
alt is false p" said the old man.
Maria told me So" replied Hatty,
yet in state of abstraction, and |
could stay there no longer"
at is false !" repeated the man. 81
heard John Hayward say that Maria
Dalton should never be his wife, and
he will not break his word. She told
you a falseheOd. But never mind now.
Go home with me, and we will show
Miss Maria Dalton that she has over
reached herself"
"Oh, hope he will not marry her ?"
exclaimed Hatty; e" for | fear that he
would not be happy with heri"
You unselfish childr' exclaimed
her Uncle James. =" He does not deserve
to. be happy, if he does marry that
empty head! But he will not; SO we
will hurry on to the village, and take
the train for home"
There was much CONSERVATION at the
Hayward farmhouse the next morning
Mrs. Hayward was really vexed when
she learned that Hatty had left her, for
she had been very faithful; but withal
was a feeling of relief that the girl y
was out of Johns way.
Maria Dalton pretended to be greatly
shocked, and limited in various subtle
ways that nothing better could have
been expected.
John was very much grieved, and
came very near being angry with his
mother.
cit is d shame p said he, Indignantly !;