The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-11-19

Hcu uuucE SlulllaI circumstances
would have made themselves ridic-
ulous, instead of biding their time with
the tender patience of brave souls who
know that what is their own will surely
some day come to them. 1t is possible,
however, that he may have thought Mr..
Gregorys demonstrations meant nothing
more than friendship. am sure l did
until one evening on returning from one
Of our geological excursions Mildred
drew me into the garden and confided to
Really l don't think he had anything be-
sides to offer, but Mildred was fully per-
suaded that a royal heart went with it
and gladly pledged her own in return
Knowing, however, that her parents
would oppose the engagement, they had
resolved not to reveal it for the present,
and so well did Mr.. Gregory regulate his
attentions that few people in Cornwall
had any suspicion of the true state of
the case, least of all her father and
mother. Of course my sympathies were
all with Mildred, but at seventeen girl
|
own age, and l see now that we were
both greatly in fault. Perhaps if, like a
true friend, had urged her to be frank
with her parents might have turned her
from the dizzy path she was treading;
but, unhappily, l was quite as romantic
as Mildred herself, and the fascination
of the affair blinded me to its dangers.
About this time school re-Opened, and
we all betook ourselves to our books,
but Mildred seemed to have lost her rel
ish for study and was restless and fitful,
with a feverish luster in her eyes and
strange sharpness in her usually sweet
voice. Her parents watched her anx
iously. Even /, who knew so we'll the
cause of her disquiet, began to be
troubled about her, and was heartily
glad when one day Mr.. Gregory packed
up his geological specimens and took his
departure. Whittier he went ! never
knew. / don't think Mildred herself
knew precisely. She believed he had
gone to attend a geological convention;
but of one thing she was positive-that
he was soon coming back, and then she
intended to confess all to her parents,
and, if possible, win their consent to
her marrying him. This she confided to
me as we went home from school that
afternoon, and I-realizing for the first
time that was in danger of losing her
girl-like, had a good cry over it. Mil
dred cried too, though whether tor the
same reason or not was more than |
could tell. From that time, however,
she began to be herself again, and no
body was more heartily rejoiced at the
change than Carl. Wherever we went
those autumn days-and there was
always something going on among us
young folks-he was her faithful attend
ant; but the infatuated girl was SO taken
up with thoughts of Mr. Gregory that l
doubt if it once entered her mind that
| Carl loved her. Carl, however, was too
happy in being at her side again to think
And so we drifted on.
| For a month there had been golden
Indian summer weather, and then sud
denly Dame Nature lifted the veil
through which she had gazed upon the
world with eyes soft as a seraph's, and
revealed the angry brow of virago.
a reckon there'll be snow before
long" said Hubbs, scanning the sky.
"Judgin' by the signs, the old mills git
tin ready to grind"
1t was SO early in the season that no
one paid much heed to the prophecy,
but in less than forty-eight hours the sill
very grist was strewn knec-deep over the
earth, and for six weeks after all the
sleigh bells in Cornwall held carnival
day and night. just in the midst OF it
Mr.. Gregory reappeared, with new
growth of mustache and turnout which
eclipsed everything of its kind in the
place. hardly know which of US was
the gladder to see him-Mildred or !
for the secret she had confided to me was
beginning to grow burdensOme, and now,
| thought, there would be an early ex-
planation and an end of all mystery.
But when I ventured to mention the sub
ject she shook her head and burst into
tears Mr.. Gregory, she said, was sure
her father would oppose their union, and
had begged her to 60 with him to neigh
boring town and be privately married.
80 MilJredr' cried, "you surely will
not do it," for had never dreamed 1t
would come to this. But all my en-
treaties failed to move her. She had al
ready given her promise to Mr.. Gregory,
and she prided herself ON always keep
ing her word. 1t was bold venture,
and thrilled me, in spite of my fears,
with keen admiration of Mildred's dar-
ing spirit, for she was girl who could
dare anything for one she loved; but it
seems to me now that love which can
make one forget honor and duty must be
something else in loves disguise.
"Why, it's like real romance" lsaid,
at last, dazzled by Mildred's sophistries;
but when l came to think it over in the
, quiet of my own room it wore different
aspect. How longed to tell her mother,
or even Fred and Carl-somebody, any
body, who would interfere and bring
these reckless people to their senses.
But 1, too, had pledged my word, and
i fealty to my friend would not allow me
{ to break it.
The next day was Thanksgiving, a day
, which Cornwall always kept in true New
, England fashion. Accordingly, in the
morning we all went to church. Mr..
Gregory was standing in the vestibule
! when we entered, and as he stepped for
ward to shake hands l saw him slip a
$ note into Mildred's muff. 1t was an
event of so frequent occurrence, how
= ever, that thought nothing of it, at least
! at the time, though remembered after.
D ward how Mildred's face had suddenly
/ paled as she read it, holding it between
f the leaves of her singing book while the
b minister was giving out the opening
a HYMN. And l remember now that SHE
did not sing that morning, and that the
0 old chorister looked savagely at her more
r than once, for hers was the sweetest
+ clearest voice in the choir.
G It was Q marvellous day, that 2Sth o.
a Noyember-a day which stands in my
y memory apart from all other days, es
t pecially apart from all other Thanks
e givings-a day which fairly dazzlet
8 one with its shimmering brightness, TO-
n q slight fall of sleet the previous nigh
:. had fringed everything with silver, while
). the fresh-crusted snow-emblem not o