Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-05-04

Hlelais WOulu know some time. mean.
while she begged they wouldn' i talk about
1t. Soon after Mr.. Keene went to New
orleans to engage in ship brokerage, and
me next month Dill's mother died, and
Dill came to our village to teach. In all
the months she had lived with us she had
never mentioned the mans name to me.
II suppose those people are coming
home from the mountains pursued NV
unconscious Joe. That coach must con.
meet at Bemis with the Portland train. I:
this Keene Portlanders Seems as If |
had seen him there"
:. Yes, oh yes, by all MEANS" respond.
ed Dill, so abstractedly that Joe asked
her, anxiously, if she had forgotten any.
thing.
Upon that she reused herself. and was
very gay tor the rest of the ride through
the Notch, pointing out wonders OF
scenery with one hand, while she clur,g
TO tie seat for dear life with the other. All
last, climbing the widest ascent of an.
past the Baby" and the s'Old man of
the Mountain" we came out unexpected
ly upon the smiling green plain fronting
the Crawford House. 1t put him in mind
OF Rasselas and the Happy Valley, Joe
said, and Immediately looked mortified
for he's not giving to making bookish al
lusions &
After tea he and Din explored the
Happy Valley" leaving mcsto rest my
poor weary little bones in an easychair
before the parlor fire. For all the insui-
ferable heat at noon, the blazing log upon
the hearth was great attraction that
evening, and the room was full of guests.
was idly watching the corners and goers,
when my eye fell on the brown bearded
gentleman who had bowed TO Dill from
the top OF the stage, just entering. He
glanced hastily about the parlor, looked
disappointed, and then took position
commanding view of the door. | had
nothing more entertaining TO do than d
observe him; and as lie stood turned from
me, couldn'thelp admiring his graceful
figure and the perfect fit of his coat; and
IL came over me, as it often had done be-
tore, to wish l could arouse Joe to real.
ling sense 0f the importance of wearing
Sty lish Clothes.
Here was delightful little episode.
What could have impelled Mr. Keene
back to Crawford's but the hope of. meet
ing Dill? Now they would make up and
be friends, l knew, for evidently Din
cared for him. She came In that min.
ute with Joe, her eyes shining like stars.
''Such lovely walk, Pollyl We scaled
Elephants Head, and saw where they're
cutting tine new railroad through the
Notch, and
She stopped abruptly, cateh,ng her
breath. MIR. Keene had approached, and
was extending his hand cordially, though
little doubtfully TOO, thought.
!" Why, Dill, I'm glad to see you. How
do you dos''
Very well, thank you,
Her face was white as snow, her eyes
scintillated like the northern lights. She
looked as brilliant and as unresponsiye as
an icicle in the sun. IufRg
= have been hunting for you every.
where, Dill. They said you had gone
West | wanted To
Z" Let me introduce you to my friends, y
she interrupted, coolly. Mrs. Garcelon,
shall / make you acquainted with Mr.
Keene? Mr.. Garcelon-Mr Keene."
I've met you to-day, | think, Mr..
Keene, on the other side of the Notch, .
said Joe.
SOY Yes" &#s
But we supposed you people were
homeward bound" persisted my stupid
old boy, who always likes to understand
things. Did you bounce over that de.
testable road and back again just for the
beauty of the scenery? You must enjoy
rugged nature more than ! do"
Il did intend to take the afternoon
train, but afterward changed my mind, y
said Mr.. Keene, with some embarrass-
nent
"Ah, indeed" responded Joe, as who
should say, . Fiddle decided" He de.
tests wavering, and it is one of my conju-
gal trials that he never DISCUSSES his feel
lngs in the least.
Dill turned away and pretended to
warm her fingers at the fire, leaving Mr.
Keene to my tender mercy /: was dread.
fully rude in her. and yet | had always
given her credit for lady like manners
Have you assembled Mount Washing.
ton, Mr.. keene?''
"Oh, yes went up yesterday from the
Glen House, and came down on this side.
You propose making the ascent from
Fabyan's, ! suppose Z"
Yes, | said, we should remain at Craw.
ford's till tomorrow noon, and spend the
night on top of the mountain. We were
anticipating good deal of pleasure from
the sunset trip in the little railcar.
Dill came back from the fire with an
ostentatious little yawn.
"Pm so tired and sleepy, Polly, |
sha'n't sit up another minute. What
you're going too? Well, goodnight, Mr..
keene."
Goodnight. But / may speak with
you in the morning, Dill?" said he, drop
ming his vice f" have something i'm
portant to tell YOU"
Don'tspeak OF it. What is the use?
know il all beforehand, +" said she flashing
past him.
On the stairs she seized my arm with a
death grip.
:" Say, Polly, let's take the early stage
for the Twin Mountain House, and dine
there, will your
What's the objectn' said practical
Joe.
"Objcct? AS to that, what's the object
of lounging here all the forenoon, when
we might be seeing the world of fashion
They have elegant visitors at the Twin
Mountain House--real New York Knick-
erbockers--and a band 10 play at dinner
Why, think of it, joel"
And you're expected TO cat in time
will. the music, ell: : Don't believe could
do it. What do you say, Pollyf Shall we
go?"
" Yes, yes, by all means, y said ], moved
to hasty decision by glimpse OF Dill's
Al non .t,s t1.eaai mud q y