The Placer herald., 1873-03-29
the village WAS IA thrving success.

| the village WAS II thrVng success.
One pleasant evening in June, Gypsy
Lane, twirlng her straw hat thoughfully
picked her way across the broad fields thai
lay between her house and the mil. The
stream was winding one, and as she placed
her tiny foot on the first stepping stone, she
saw straw hat on the grass, which she
knew well.
Glow is Miss Lane, this evening? p said
Houshton, hzily from beneath manzanira
bush, where lie had been enjoying pipe and
book
"Wcll thank you How is Mr.. 1lough-
ton p replied Gypsy, shyly.
''WarD, but not uncomfortable. Ar
you going TO the mill? p
Eyes; have letter that has just come
for father"
"May accompany you 2
"Certainly, if yon choose.
Nougton put Oh bis hat and helped Gypsy
across the brook.
81 had a letter from New York a few
days ago" said ne, after they had left the
first bend of the river behind.
"a pleasant one q
"Well, although in one sense it brought
good news, still can hardly call it pleas
ant letter
They walked on, and Gypsy swung her
hat pensivelv, longing, with her woman's
curiosity, to hear more about the New ork
letter
81 am going to leave Russian Bar" said
IIouehton, abruptly.
"Indeed; how soon p
81 don't know yet; possibly within
week"
The hat WAS swayed from side to side
with increased energy.
"Do YOU care much, Miss Lane?' this
with an earnest look into the hazel eyes that
kept steadily bent ON the brown, parched
grass beneath their feet.
"Yes, of course we shall all be sorry TO
lose YOU. returned Gypsy. evasively.
'lf | come back in few months, with
something for my future wife, shall ! see
this ring en- her fnger?' whispered lloueh-
ton. capturing the little hand that held the
hat, and slipping pearl ring on the delicate
finger.
Gypsy said rotling, but her eyes turned
Cor moment on the schoolmasters earnest
face. and in the next her soft cheek was
resting on his shoulder
Rnssinn Bar, to a mnn, turned out to
wish Philip IIoughton God-speed on the
morning he took his place by the driver who
one year before, hrd set set him down At
Perkins hotel They knew he was on his
way to New York, and that he had been
left some money and the gossips more than
suspected that there was something between
Gypsy Lane and their f'vorite. AT all
events her eyes were red for week after
his departure.
Winter had come and the river was swol
ion and rapid, and many a lofty tree from
the pine forest had found its way to the
hcarrhs at Russian Bar One delicious
morning, crisp and cold, after a nights rain,
the stage passed by the large whi'e oak and.
@plashed with mud, halted before Perkins
hotel 1t had been all night on the way,
for the roads were very heavy.
The worthy proprietor of that excellent
house was in the act of tossing his first cock
tail. when a heavy band was laid on his
shoulder and Philip IIoughton shouted;
"Perkins. old boy, how are YOU p
The landlord returned the hand shake,
dived behind the bar and had a second cock
tail mixed in moment. "And now, SAID
he as he pledged the schoo'master, "when
will the wedding take place p
Six weeks aferward, the old mill was
hung with evergreen leaves, and grand
festival was held at Russian Bar. Gypsy
Lane made lovely bride. and when liough
ton took charge OF the mil and invested all
his New York money in the village, and was
admitted to practice in the courts. everything
seemed to take fresh start. Through all
his warmpst and most devoted friend was
Sam Seymour, once the terror OF Russian
Bar schoomasters, and now the holder Of
that important position.