Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-05-22

doctor lives only couple o. miles from
here"
Floy groaned in spirit, but resolving to
be patient for Johns sake, mildly entreat-
ed the farmer to seek out their friends"
Friends? Yes marm so soon as ex-
anime this here leg. It's broke just above
the ankle, marm.'
Knew that before you told u.s. snapped
Floy
You seem kind o. riled, marin. Yes,
as | was sayIn', it's broke jist above the
ankle-marm,
''Well, must try and make him little
more comfortable; this hot sun shines
right in his face" said Floy, with COM
passionate look at the poor tortured fel
low. Pressing Farmer Stokes into the
service, she made him strip several arms
full Of green branches from the adjoining
trees. Sticking her parasol in the ground,
she disposed the branches ever and around
it, in such manner that it formed shady
bower above her patients head.
"Ah, how refreshing that isr' gasped
poor John. And now, do go under the
shade Of the trees, Miss Floy; your, poor
little face will be burned to a coal"
80, no; | have on my broad-brinmed
hat" said Floy. Seating herself nearl the
entrance of the green tent, she waved a
long bough to keep away the flies. John
watched her, dreamy tenderness in his
halfclosed eyes. What a darling she was
after all, with her round, child's face, and
sweet, womanly ways!
you are too kind to the cross old bear
Miss Floy," he said, suddenly; too good to
him, altogether"
80, don't speak so,' said Floy, coloring
violently. II wanted to ask y0ur forgive
ness for all my impertinence the last two
weeks"
Johns answer was prevented by the re-
turn of Farmer Stokes, who, after a very
short and Intellectual attempt to find their
friends" again obtruded upon them his
somewhat unwelcOme presence.
Cant find 'em nowhar,n he said keep
that ankle well kivered up, miss; and
here's drop o. somethin' II put a leetle
life into him, maybe"
John drank from the farmers flask, and
seemed somewhat revived by the draught.
FIoy resumed her minstrations The far
mer, lying back upon the grass. watched
them with speculative eyes. Darn it
ALL" he suddenly burst out chow did you
git down here, mister? I'm hanged if |
can make it out at ALL
"Well, if you must know said Flov,
petulantly, she was locking for some
| thing
"Pocket-book, eh?"
NO"
"Gold-headed cane?'
NO, no; a specimen" said FlOy, i'm
patiently producing it. This gentleman
is naturalist, and, in trying to secure
this, he lost his footing and fell"
She held the specimen" out in her lit
! tie, soft palm. The farmer surveyed it in
| blank amaZement
''That?" he asked, incredulously. Floy
nodded. Mr.. Stokes sat silent a moment,
while broad grin slowly overspread his
| leathery countenance. a milleri' he eX-
| claimed, at last, with long, low whistle
Its a butterfly" said Floy, indig-
nantIy.
so | perceive, marm," said the farmer.
| oval, | swan"
After this brief ejaculation, he bent for
ward, and, pointing to John, whose eye
| lids had again closed, he said, in a low
| whisper, How long since he lost the
use of his wits, marm?''
He hasn't lost them at ALL" said Floy,
starting. You do ask me the queerest
questions
why, you jist said he was nat'ral,
| didn't your"
NO; I said a naturalist" said Floy,
choking down a little laugh, as she an
swered him
wall" responded the farmer, after a
pause, Il don't 'zackly take your meanin'.
| But chasin' butterflies does seem rayther a
| looney occupation for a man of his age,
don't it,"
"You don't understand" said Floy, in
dignantly. Its Il curious specimen
NO miss, | do7l't understand" said the
farmer It's a very keurious business,
altogether"
The dry tone in which he said this, and
| the manner in which he eyed them both
as he rose to his feet nearly upset FlOy's
gravity again. And, glancing at John,
she saw the corners of his pale mouth
| twitching suspiciously, too.
''Wal, | reckon III try and find your
friends agin." His tone said plainly, II
think YOU need friends to look after you"
30, there they are now" cried Floy,
springing to her feet Harvey-dear
voice broke in sobs. She was fairly over
come with her long excitement and the
sudden relief Of my presence.
Katy, dear. don't you think John and
Floy are growing quite good friends,
nOW?'
well, ! shouldn't wonder, love- said
Kate, with a peculiar smile, as, leaning
upon my shoulder, she surveyed the pretty
scene below
There, in our rustic arbOr, sat John Dur
ham, a slight pallor and cumbrous
crutch the only tokens of his late illness.
BY his side sat our pretty Floy, examining
with him the huge portfolio spread upon
his knees, and listening with child-like in
terest 10 his entertaining descriptions Of
the specimens he unfolded to her view
A pretty tableau, John" said Kate;
"but there comes an interruption, in the
shape Of Mr. Stokes. Come, Harvey We'll
go down"
Good morning, Mr.. Stokes,' said l,
meeting him at the entrance of the arbor;
you find our patient pretty well recover
ed, sir
20, yes; l shall soon be in condition to
hunt the 'pesky millers' again." John re-
piled, with humorous glance at Farmer
Stokes
"Humphr' said that worthy, contemptu-
ously, 1t does seem a pity a strong, able
bodied young man like you can't find a
better business than that
That's a fact, Farmer Stokes" said l,
gravely.
He won't git no sensible gal to tackle
herself to him, in hurry-eh, Miss Floy?"
the old man went on.
Pm sure | don't know, sir" said
Floy, assuming an air Of supreme indiffer-
ence