Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-11-21

any one in her rambles, SO that even
those who had passed her quite close
ly could not tell whether she was old
or young, good locking or plain. Even
in the village church she never raised
the thick veil, and although she ap-
peared to be devoted Christian her.
self, am afraid she made sad sinners
of the greater part of the congregation,
who certainly paid more attention to
her than the sermon.
The curiosity had somewhat abated,
when 1t was again aroused, and again
by an arrival. But this time the OBJ
ject of interest was an invalid gentle
man, who came to reside in small
two-roomed cottage or lodge lately
erected on a small knoll not a hundred
yards from the "Lone House." The
sweet country air brought health and
strength to the newcomer, and soon
he was able to take long walks, with his
only companion, an immense New,
found]and dog. He made no acquain-
tances, and indeed would 90 fur out of
his way to avoid meeting any one in his
strolls. Now, as you may imagine,
these two people were the innocent
cause of great deal of gossip, and
Mrs. Grundy, who lived on the east
side of the lake, whence she had q view
of both houses, with all their lncom.
ings and outgoings, was quite envicd
by her less fortunate neighbors, who
possessed no such advantage. One
morning, instead of the usual party
from the "Lone House, the child,
accompanied by one of the mute SER
wants, went out for an airing. Their
way lay along the lake side, and they
soon came upon the gentleman from
the lodge, who was amusing himself by
sending Carlo out into the water for
stick which he threw in. The child
watched the sport with the create st de-
light, clapping his chubby hands with
glee as the dog came swimming back
with his prlze, till venturing step too
near the brink, his little foot slipped,
and he fell, the golden curls vanishing
beneath the old blue waters of the
lake. But not for long; for as he rose
to the surface the noble dog hastened
to the rescue, caught him by his white
frock, and held him, all dripping, out
out OF the water till relieved by his
master of his precious burden.
The poor little fellow was more
frightened than hurt, and he was soon
in the nurses arms but he cried so
pitiful for his mamma that even Car
10, who waggea his tail nearly off in
his efforts to congratulate him, could
not pacify him. The boy was soon
made glad, and his mother pressed her
darling to her heart, and mother.li like,
alternately scolded and petted, hug
ged and kissed him to her hearts con-
tent.
Next morning mother and child start
ed for their accustomed walk, and met
their neighbor coming to inquire about
the boy. The lady thanked the child's
preserver, as she would call him again
and again, but he lauRhingly said che
must confer that title upon Carlo, as
that noble animal had been the hero
on that occasion. The fond mother
said few grateful words, but her
melodious voice vibrated through him
she addressed like strain of half-for-
gotten music, awakening the memories
of happier years. The child, mean
while, had been making friends with
Carlo, who graciously allowed the little
one to put both fat arms around the
shaggy neck, and to press the little ro-
sy cheek against the honest black face,
and call him ''dood Tarlo." All this
occupied hut a few moments, and then
both went on their way.
The neighbors often met after this,
and mot by accident, either" Mrs.
Grundy said, adding that he would
wait till the party from the hill were
out of sight and "then he would 20 by
some other road and manage to over.
take or meet them just by chance, of
course; then all would walk home TO-
gether in the twilight" All this time
the lady never permitted the new
friend to get glimpse of her face, ex-
cept such shadowy outlines as could be
seen through a heavy veil of double
Grape; but q milk white hand, with
delicate taper fingers, a stray tress of
lustrous golden hair, or a wee little
shapely foot, creeping mouse-like in
and out from beneath the folds of the
black dress, together with the melody
of her voice and the mystery that sur
rounded her, fairly bewitched our So
cial friend, who had given up all the
Joys of the world, human society, for
a lodge in the wilderness and tho COM
panionship of Carlo, and he actually
made the lovely widow an offer of his
heart. OF course the proposal being
so unexpected, that angelic creature de-
clined to put her admirer out of his
misery at once, and asked time to make
up her mind. She told him, also, that
she had made a VOW never to marry,
and added, consistently, that if she
did, her intended husband should not
see her face till after the ceremony,
and must love her we'll enough to live
for her alone. The infuriated lover
would agree to any terms, if only he
might hope. Then he told the sad
story of his life, how, after weeks of
anxious expectation, the fearful intel
igence came that the vessel in which
his beloved wife was coming home
from France went down with every soul
on board. How his health and almost
his reason had given way under the
shock, and he had come to that retired
spot to regain, if possible, strength of
body and mind. He plead his case,
and his heart was gladdened by the
promise that in one month from that
day she would become his wife
The wedding day dawued a. bright
and glorious as every wedding day
should be. All the lovely landscape
was bathed in golden sunshine, and
every leaf and flower was tremulous
with joy, and every bird and bee and
butterfly that futtered in and out of the
vines on the porch, seemed to know,