Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-03-16

at me through Herbert's black eyes
forced the answer, g Yes"
"Will you tell me what it signifiess"
Richard was himself again, and re-
Piled carelessly: cit shows / am en-
gagged to marry Mr.. Mclean. Would
you like to see his picture
81 would"
Drawings ''photo" from my pocket
diary, I gave it to him. After few
moments contemplating, he said
"Do you love this man ?"
"Of course.
He gave me searching look. ',Elsie,
could you love me %
felt the blood mount to my cheeks,
as my eyes fell before his.
"You forget am engaged.
eff you were not engaged, Elsie
Tell me how it would be if you were
not engaged?"
He bent toward me eagerly, and
placed his arm around my waist The
sense of..propriety my mother had IN
culcated was touched, and l left my
seat.
"But, Mr. Grave, am engaged"
ment's silence. Presently he said, ad-
vancing:-
"Forgive me, Miss Hayes. I have
insulted your constancy, but you know
the motive that prompted. Shall see
you to the house ?"
That evening Herbert babe me good
by, saying he should not return. grew
restless after his departure, and left for
New York.
| A few weeks served to show me how
materially my tastes had altered during
the summer months. Mr. Mclean did
not satisfy me. The engagement was
broken off, and in short time was
forgotten for another. The winter
dragged At the first breath of June
1 started for Maryland. At Fern Dell
| | was made welcome, and very thank
fully I received it's Inequalities.
| After the first words of greeting,
aunt remarked 81 am very sorry
Herbert cannot be here to keep thee
company, but his business in Boston
will not permit him to leave" Did l
careg
Early the next morning I FASTENED to
the old mill, peered into every nook
and corner, till at length espied lad
der, before unknown. Ascending it l
found myself near the rafter from which
Herbert had watched my dancing,
while close under the caves lay book,
warped and mouldy. Securing the prise,
1 decended to the window. 1t proved
to be book of poems. Upon the fly
leaf was written the name of Herbert
Grave, and beneath, 40 Elsie. dislike
me not for my complexion, the shad-
owls lv'ry of the banish'd sum- The
heart of the gnarled oak is sound, and
yours," dated the year before.
Dear Herbert Noble Herbert" l
cried, kissing the faded characters,
then startedgest l had been overheard.
But, no, I was monarch of all | survey
ed, and silence my prime minister.
After that the old mill became my
Mecca, where 1 wrote, read, or sewed,
as inclination prompted.
Thus month passed. One beauti-
full morning, sketch-book in hand, l
ensconsed myself in the old window,
but soon my thoughts and eyes wander
ed far away. A leaf came floating
| uOWu Ulle SlTeuIl, dltt. tIluhllS tlouu,
l said, dreamily: ''Herbert used to
call such leaves Old prediudices, that
were cast off, and went floating away
on the stream of reason. Thus my
one great prejudice against countrymen
and their appearance has foated of
with the current of Herbert Graves
true worth, and passed into oblivion. "
Some one opened the door, and step
ped within my sanctum. 1t wes Her
bert. Our eyes met. He came quick
ly to my side.
"Elsie, heard what you said as |
passed near the window. Is it true!"
"Itis true, Herbert"
"And the ring?"
l held up my hand.
"Thank Heaven !"
The side whiskers are gone, and
have no longer cause tocomplain OF his
ill-cut cloths, notO that I am the darl-
ing of the country clown"