Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-06-18

she was at least very sensible girl and
would make practical housekeeper.
John had but little sentiment in his COM
position; his tastes were more matter. of
fact. The more John thought of matri-
mony, the more fixed became his deter
mination of committing himself as soon
as possible.
y night or two subsequent to the con-
versatlon with his father il was noticed
that he alfred himself with unusual care
before going out, as he insisted, to attend
the debating society" His father and
mother regarded each other significantly,
as If they well understood what was
! uppermost in Johns mind, but they gave
the young man no intimation that they
suspicioned his intentions.
After a last, lingering look at tn look
ing glass John started forth into the dark
ness, taking the shortest road possible to
the residence of Israel Ives
He soon came to the place he intended
visiting. a bright light cleaned out
| through the front windows with welcom-
ing beams and he fancied he could see
smiling faces there, yet his heart thumped
so very singularly under his shining satin
vest that it was several minutes before he
could make up his mind to knock at the
door; he walked up and down the road
past the place several times to calm him.
self, and to think over the words he pro
posed saying when in the presence of Miss
Ives.
AT last lie turned in at the gate, and,
walking boldly up to the front door, he
made his presence suddenly known to
the Ives family by means of the friendly
assistance of the heavy brass knocker,
IGr ,n1 Two 10 b.l !, Anr
ing candle in his hand; he gave a sudden
little start of surprise upon recognizing
his visitor.
"Why, John" he said, is this your"
els Miss Ives at homer" said John,
nervously, forgetting in his sudden en-
barrassment to designate the particular
Miss Ives he wished to see.
Certainly, certainly" replied Israel
smiling mischievously; "walk right into
the parlor and sit down and she will come
in presently"
Leaving his hat upon the rack in the
hall John did as he was bid he sat down
upon the outer edge of his chair and
awaited the young lady's coming. He
heard several suppressed giggles in the
adj looming room, and a subdued sugges-
ton on the part Of Israel that they had
best not act silly and foolish. Then the
door opened and in sailed Miss
Sophrony Ives, followed by Patience,
Priscilla, Malvna and Lucy Ives,
each simultaneously smiling, and try
ing to look as sweet and pretty as
possible, They advanced one by one,
and gave John a greeting, after which
they arranged themselves in a graceful
group about him; then began the liveliest
conversation John had ever listened to.
He began to grow uneasy and lose his
selfpossession. This was rather more
Miss Ives than he had anticipated meet
lug.
AT last sudden idea occurred to him.
"Girls," he said, edo any of you play
blind mans buff"
The young ladies all suddenly giggled.
Sometimes" said Miss Sophrony, with
sly glance at her sisters.
"Suppose we have game, then" said
John, earnestly.
Several handkerchiefs were simulta
neously produced, and before John was
aware he was in midnight darkness.
"But you must be blinded, too, Lucy"
said Miss Malvina; Z" it always makes it
liveler to have two, you know"
So Miss Lucy's sight was temporarily
Obscured in the same manner that Johns
had been.
Then the word "ready" was given, and
without a word Of warning Sophrony,
Patience, Priscilla and Malvina noiseless-
ly glided from the room.
For awhile John and Lucy CROPPED in
nocently about them, each failing to find
the objects they sought. AT last John
spoke;
Il say, where are you all?" he said,
he,plessly.
No answer came to his question from
those he was seeking.
John" said Lucy, 81 believe they're
all hiding"
Just at this moment the two approached
each other with their hands extended, ana
they were each suddenly clasped in each
others arms. This was sensation so
new to John that it almost deprived him
of articulation.
Cob is it you, John ?" said Lucy; {" l
do believe they're fooling us"
She suddenly removed the bandage
from her eyes, and the next moment John
felt her def little fingers untying the
knot in the handkerchief that was bound
about his head.
"Look here, John" she said, in a
halfprovoked sort of way" just see what
trick they've played upon US. | might
have known what they were up to. Never
mind, We'll have a real pleasant visit
now"
They sat down side by side on the high
backed sofa, and Lucy talked so pleas
antly and encouragingly to John that he
soon felt perfectly at home. He was al
most astoniched at his self-possession.
The minutes lapsed into hours, and-well,
he never could fully explain how it was,
afterward, but the fact was that Lucy
promised him that she would be Mrs.
I .l.-.. =.