The Osceola times., 1876-02-26

Ii must be nice to be rich and pow
erful," thought Minnie, as she saw the
Difference with which Mr.. Grant assisted
Kate Oldfeld from her saddle to the
ground. and marked the low bow with
which he gave her his arm. " He called
me Minnie this morning, just rs if |
were servant" was her next thought.
"llow handsome he is, and what pleas.
ant voice he had Minnie is a pretty
name, as he says it,"
Minnie Minnie Where are YOU %
Coming, fatherw
And the young girl hasten down stairs
10 assist her father to waiting upon his
guests. As she was passing along she
met Miss Oldfeld, who had torn her
habit, and was on her way upstairs to
repair the mischief.
" Here, my girl" she said rather
baughtily, AS Minnie passed her, "come
with me and mend this rent"
Minnie followed the handsome bru-
nette, who was evidently in a bad humor.
She was still seated on the low stool be-
side her, at work upon the habit, when
Harry Oldfeld, Miss Rates brother,
joined them.
Come, Kate, they arc all waiting for
you"
" Let them wait" returned Kate.
:" tell you what it is, Kate" said the
yeung man, Il" ! would not let them sec
how cross | was about Lord Adair's alb.
sence, IL were you. lie has sent very
handsome substitute, and if his excuse i
true, why am sure it is n good one"
" Important business! Fudge As
if his agent could not transact his busi-
ness. He will meet cold reception
when he does come"
Caution, Kate. You may loose him
altogether. DO he agreeable to his sub
stitute, so that he may carry back IA
vorable report"
II he comes here asaspy, he had better
return said Kate. Doubtless he will
be well paid for his news"
Why did Minnie's cheeks flush and
her fingers tremble? Surely the girls
sneering, cold tone was nothing TO her
The party started off on horseback in
fine spirits. In about two hours they re-
turned slowly and sadly rs funeral
train. Minnie hastened to the door.
Upon rude litter, carried by four of the
party, lay, apparently dead, the traveller
who had the night before come TO the
inn.
" How did it happen" she asked.
Lent his own 'orsc TO another man, -
said the hostler, "and the borrowed
one struck the upper bar of the first gate,
and threw him over. The 'orse was
killed, miss"
They carried him to the best room,
sent for a surgeon, and Minnie fingered
near the door while young Oldfeld and
another of the party tried to restore him
to life. She hastened for any restorative
they demanded, and at last, when the
surgeon arrived, crept into the room to
hear his verdict.
When George Savage arrived the next
day, his old friend was in raving de-
lirium. For days he hovered between
life and death, and in all that time not
one of the gay fishing party again came
to the poor artist. Minrie was his
nurse. Her old aunt, who was very
much interested in the poor young man,
directed her and George Savage in their
treatment of the invalid and when the
young man was again out of danger, and
his friend had returned to London, Min
ME and her aunt were left to take care of
the stranger.
Young Grant, in his convalescence,
made study of Minnie. lie was
charmed with her gentle tender care of
him, and amazed at the fine, cultivated
mind the simple country maiden pos
sessed. When his friend Savage sent
him any new books from town, and Min
ME read them aloud to him. he was de-
lighted with the depth of information her
remarks displayed. In short, Mr.. Her
bert Grant was in love.
One morning Minnie was reading 20
him in her rich, melodious voice, from
Miss Landon's poems:
-" 1t is a fearful ,hing
10 love a. love thee to feel the world
The bright, the beautiful joy-giving world
blank without thee Nevermoie TO me
Can hope, JOY, fear, wear different seeming. Now
have no hope that does not dream for thee;
! have no JOY that is not shared by thee
have no fear that docs not dread iof thee
MI that once took pleasure in-my Lutte
Is only sweet when II repeats thy name
Ny flowers, only gather them for thee
The book drops listless down. cannot read,
Unless IL is TO thee"
"Pshaw ~ said Minnie, trying to
augh. " Has not your friend sent YOU
more interesting than this?"
Minnie" said Herbert, looking full
nto her large dark eyes, II think it is
What brilliant color the innkceper's
laughter did possess!
Minnie, my own Minnie, love you"
aid Herbert.
\ week or two later there was very
pathetic parting in the little room which
Mr. Grant occupied.
Goodnight and good-by, Minnie"
aid Herbert. :" | shall be off before YOU
ire up tomorrow. Twill write in a day
" two, and soon return TO claim YOU,
Minnie
The next morning Minnie was upvery
early. Had she not to get her fathers
breakfast before he started to market
But after her father had left why did she
not return to the house, instead of stand
ing and talking TO the hostler, as he fed
md watered Mr., Grants horse 1t was
beautiful horse, and Minnie evidently
thought so; else why did she stand
stroking his name, and patting il so fond
ly' Mr.. Grant was looking out of his
window, and there was a pleased smile
on his face when he noticed her. He
came down a few moments afterwards
booted and spurred, and, though still
pale and rather weak in high spirits.
Minnie had secret for her fathers
ear that night, and the old man said
Well, lass, if he'll prove he's re-
spectacle man, and can support you.
why, he's liberal kind of fellow, think,