The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-10-12

Mrs Hinkle felt she had not begun
yet. Bachelor Brown could not un-
derstand what she wanted.
"It'S great favor-a great favor to
ask, know" she said, but couldn't
you Just for once do it?''
"Do what, Maria ?' asked Bachelor
Brown.
"Go for her." said Mrs. Hinkle.
"For Miss DoveY"
yes"
"Oh, dear, no." said Cousin Rich
ard.
But" began Mrs. Hinkle.
"Maria,' said the old bachelor,
young ladies, my little cousins eX-
cepted, are my abomination. An af-
fected, conceited, absurd set of crea-
lures l never had anything to do
with them, and | never will. No
doubt she's capable of finding her way
here. They all appear to be. Ishan't
go for her"
Mrs. Hinkle retreated.
"What will she think of us :" she
said, sobbing.
"Don't cry" said Bachelor Brown
"Tll see if any of the hands over at
the Oats place can drive over for her" !"
And out he went; but all the hands
on Oats place were busy with the hay,
which stood in danger from a coming
shower. Richard returned without the
least success.
"a shower, too" said Rose. "Poor
dear Amanda, I'll try what | can do
with my cousin.'
And in the study she spent an hour
teasing and worrying without effect.
LET her get lost" said Bachelor
Brown. "No doubt she'd like it. And
as for her trunk, why don't girls tray
el with portmanteau as we do?"
And Rose departed pouting. She
found Adelaide in an extremely merry
mood.
Don't laugh" she said, "think of
poor Amanda"
I'm thinking of her." said Ade-
laide, "and cousin Dick shall 90. I'll
tell a fib."
"For shame?" said Rose.
Zone ought to make some sacrifice
for a friend" said Adelaide. "TH
tell him she's child. He's always
good to Children
at will never do" said Mrs. Hin
kle; "he'll never forgive YOU
But Adelaide ran up to her cousin S
study and burst in with an exceeding
ly theatrical laugh.
"What a mistaken she said, land
so stupid of them all. You think
Amanda is grown lady, don't yOu?'
Isn't she ?" asked the bachelor.
CAS- if child of nine years could
be- said Adelaide. "Poor little
thing"
Poor little thing, indeed hurry
| ing on his coat ana hat. Bless me,
why didn't you mention it? Poor lit
| tie soul.
And in few minutes the light
wagon was driven down the road, and
The IIinkles stood looking after it.
I'm half frightened" said Rose.
$50 am l." said Adelaide. " But
it's done and it can't be helped now.
I'll manage to coax him to forgive me,
and it wouldn't do to leave a friend in
such a position, you know, and | didn't
say she was a child
Meanwhile Bachelor Brown drove to
the station. 1t was a long drive over
a bad road, but he kept on his way
very cheerfully. fIe was extremely
fond of children.
When on reaching the station, he
saw no signs of her presence, he grew
alarmed. If she had been lost through
his neglect he could never forgive him.
self. He ran his fingers through his
curly hair and peeped into the ladies'
waiting-room. Only very fine full
grown young woman sat there, and he
1etreated. The woman who waited i'll
the apartment came out of her nook
with courtesy as she saw him, and
he addressed her:
"Have you seen little girl waiting
for some one?'
"No, sir" said the woman. "Thert
were two came down, but they are
gomez"
ooh, dear! oh, dearr' said Bachelor
Brown; 81 hope there's no mistake
It's little Miss Dove, and if the deal
little soul has gone astray I'm entirely
to blame. Please make inquiries -
there's good woman
As he uttered these words the full
grown young lady in the waiting-roon
was seen to blush violently and arise
"I'm Amanda Dove" she said
"and I expect some one from Mr.
Hinkle's."
Bachelor Brown stood aghast. He
had spoken of this lady as a "deal
little thing" His face almost turned
scarlet.
81 beg your pardon, ma'am, he be
gan. 81 expected to find little gir
III wouldn't have used such expires
sions for the world-I-"
81 comprehend" said the young
lady; don't mind in the least. /
els this your trunk, ma'am," sale
Bachelor Brown, in hurry.
eyes, sir" said the lady, looking
down.
In few moments the two wer'
driving toward the Hinkle's countr.
seat. Never had Bachelor Brown
found himself so close to any youDI
lady, save his cousins, before. He wa
woefullv confused, but somehow Ia
liked it. How pretty she was, h
thought. How pink and white; how
golden her hair was. How the blu
ribbons on her bonnet set it off. The,
he began to wonder what she though
of him. Wondering thus, he forgo
the road, and suddenly found that h
had lost himself. To add to the dilem
ma, the storm, which had oeen threat
eninc for hours, burst at the very mo
ment when Bachelor Brown found i
impossible to tell whether the left roa'
or the right led homeward; and tn
horse was afraid of lightning and grey
restiye. Miss Amanda Dove wa
afraid of lightning also. She gave
little scream and clung to Bachelo
Rrown's coat sleeve.