Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-01-12

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press herself under this mask. 1t was an
opportunity for companionship from
which she was in manner cut off in all
other directions. The opinions and fancies
of Silvia johnson, needy day laborer
counted for nothing iii the society about
her, and it was only when she put on her
disguise and wrote to another woman's
lover that they hit the mark and were
received with encores. How wonderful
that he should appreciate and respond to
all her eXtravagances and transcendental
notions, as if there had already been some
secret magnetic understanding between
| them, before circumstances had thrown
| them, mentally, in each others way. Was
| ii only love for Luna, or was it the I'M
| conscious cropping OF soul for its twin,
which caused every word of Silvia's to
receive such hearty appreciation, and every
| truth she expressed seen an Unborn in
| stinct of the others being?
One day she tried an experiment She
wrote in this wise: must tell you of
the strangest thing that happened to an ac
Quaintance of mine. She was ambitious
very naturally, to appear we'll IN her
! lovers eyes. One day he toolishly went
away, and, beng bad pen woman and
aware of other mental deficiencies, which,
however, only needed time and care for
| their improvement, she employed friend
TO write her love-letters.
! Imagine her lovers dismay when he
discovered the fact. How should you
have acted in his place."
"The woman who could so cruelty de-
ceive would deserve my unbounded con-
tempt, as well rs the friend who should
lend herself to the fraud" he answered
There said Silvia, "you have his
opinion of u.s."
| LA, he'll never suspect me--and in for
a penny, in for pound" laughed Luna.
Would you never forgive hery" Silvia
asked, pursuing the subject in her next
letter, when it was only love for
you, and a mistaken wish to secure your
appreciation, that prompted the acton?'
Il could never love such woman
again, not if she repented in sackcloth and
ashes" he returned, in reply, land such
women are not apt to repent"
"Oh! Luna, Lunar cried Silvia,
terrified at the confession she had wrung
from Prof. Max, whatever will you do:"
Take care that he never finds me out
eternal vigilance, and all that; and,
after all, there's rs good fish in the sea.
I'm not bit scared; there'd be a rumpus
and a row; but bless you, he'd come to
his senses presently, he couldn't help him.
self the moth and the candle, you know!
Heaven save us, what are you crying
for?''
I'm crying about my sins"
"Oh! all right; only it's bad for the
eyes, and it would make it inconvenient
for me if you should grow blind"
Pm not so blind but tsresee crisis
some day. which you will rue"
Catch me! Besides, you will be as
deep in the mud rs in the mire."
But am not engaged to Prof.
Shale"
"But don't you wish YOU were? Come,
dry your eyes, and remember that the end
will Justify the means"
THAT is just what I'm afraid Of
"Well, think of the twins, then. Max
is coming back directly, and perhaps
there won't be any more letters necessary
wedding cards instead, maybe; or per
haps l shall tell him myself and explain
that it was only a joke"
And it will never do to laugh at your
own joke, unless you laugh the other side
of your mouth"
. Don't be sarcastic at the expense of
your friends You'll find my new initial
paper in the left hand drawer; you may be
brief to-day, if you please. There, do |
look co:nme IL tdm? BY the way, you
needn't tell Max that I'm going to the
Mushrooms croquet party this afternoon. "
Certainly not; how could you be writ
ing to him and playing croquet with Mr..
Bullion Mushroom at the same tune?
suppose it will be unnecessary to mention
the fact that Mr.. Mushroom repeated poe
try TO you till nearly twelve last night on
the veranda, with only the moon for duen
nay Was it Paradise Lost Or
Come, will not be lectured, Silvia
Johnson! Could | tell Mr.. Mushroom TO
go home? Besides, they were some
verses OF his own-very sweet ones, too"
"Sonnets to a Luna-tic:"
"Well, am TO blame if he is sweet on
me- There, shan't parley any longer
with you. Be a good girl and write your
letters and think of the twins
Silvia began TO write: My dear Max" !;
how droll il looked all at once. She could
hardly help laughing, hardly help crying
but compromised and went on, and had
finished and folded the letter and was in
the act of inclosing it in its addressed en-
velope when her two hands were suddenly
imprisoned from behind, and deep voice
said over her shoulder;
"a feast of reason and a flow of soul ~
and brown bearded lip vas about to
touch Silvia's white neck, when she
turned her head and confronted a strange
gentleman, who dropped her hands and
! shot half across the room.
Il have the pleasure of seeing Prof.
Shale," said Silvia, taking in the stra
ton, and not liking it bit, and dropping
the letter in her excitemant.
"lou flatter me in calling it a pleas
ure," said the professor land beg par
don; but not having my glasses on. |
mistook you for Miss Lutestring" And