Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-01-19

hcdTlIeSt laughter anu Tue mcrTleSt
r"joinders.
Ten O'clock, and not one moment
yet alone with her lover. Ida was
sleepy and Archie fa,igued. His
handsome head pressed the sofa
cushion, and his yawns, though po.
litely represseJ, were quite sufficient
to justify the hostess in suggesting
bedtime.
ooh, mercy, yes!" gaped Ida. 81
am just tagged out"
"And who would have thought
it?" remarked the farmer, in surprise.
sit is 10 o'clock, upon my word!"
1t had been an interminable even
ing to Lillian. She had played and
sung, and Archie had turned her
leaves, it is true, and sometimes his
hand had strayed to her shoulder,
and:lovingly fingered there, just as it
always did when they were alone
1t was provoking, though, to think
that every one of these little heart
comforts had been Offset by some
coqueltish trick of Ida's.
"Did you ever see such fine hair,
Lil?" she had asked, her little hand
among the luxuriant dark rings
which adorned the young gentle
mans head. "Say, Lii, lend me your
back conb,and let's see how he looks
with his hair parted in the middle;
never mind, I'll take a halr-pln," and
Lillian forced herself to laugh, as the
giddy girl, her task completed, pull
cd her victim to a sitting posture, to
make the effect.
81 hope you are not going to ring
us out at six o'clock, If to morrow is
Thanksgiving" continued Ida, ling
erlng a moment at the foot of the
stairs to bid the farmer goodnight.
"Breaktast at g." replied Lillian.
pleasantly. "And yon need not rise
then unless you are quite ready"
"Oh, mercy, l always get up to
breakfast, don't you, Mr.. Glenburn?
Goodnight, and pleasant Dreams
Goodnight, Lii. Dear me! l believe
| shall fall asleep before | can un-
dress myself.
Archie fingered at his door, lamp
in hand.
"Good-night, my darllng," he whis-
percd, tenderly, as Lillian returned.
"Good-nighl," and Lilian's eyes
sought her lovers face.
"Can we not have Il few moments
to ourselves now" he laughlngly
asked, pointing to the stairs.
"Do you mean to 60 again?'
she inquired, her eyes so full OF light
that Archie pl' yfully put her away,
declaring that they dazzled HIM.
"Come on" he answered, leading
the way. "Was there ever such a
marploL rs your cousin?" he asked,
as they sat together before the fire.
Il did everything but tell hera false
hood about my coming. If she had
had Il particle of sense she would
have seen that | didn't want her; but
never mind, Lillian, dear, she cannot
always spoil our courting."
So it was all explained, and there
was no need of asking 4 single
question. How perfect was the har'
mony now! a Thousand times more
perfect for the temporary discord.-
Five minutes of unalloyed happiness,
Archie WAS in an explanatory mood,
and was just going to tell of his calls
upon Miss Ida, when their delicious
tcte-a-tete was rudely broken i'll upon
by an unearlhly scream from the sec
ond floor.
lille! Lille! Where are you.
Uncle Travis! Somebody come
here quickly! There is burglar in
the clothes-press! Oh, where is
everybody"
$50 away with your nonsense" j"
Lillian heard her father say from the
foot of the stairs where she stood,
her lovers arm tight abouthcr waist.
sit is mouse, l suppose, Ida. Lii
lie, where are you? Come and see
what your cousin has got slowed
away in her clothes-press."
"Confound that girls foolishne>s''
muttered Archie. 81 believe it is all
done on purpose"
"Don't 60 there,I beseech of you!'
shrieked Ida, as Lillian approached
the closet, and threw wide open the
door. ooh, mercy! | am petrifed
with fear" as the empty clothes-press
was disclosed.
"Don't leave me, pray don't Lille.
I shall have fit if you do know
| shall. Go and get your nightdress
and sleep with me. I'll stand right
here in the doorway till you come
back"
A smothered caress at the door of
Archic's chamber, and the lovers
separated for the night. For the
night? Let us see.
Lillian was up bright and early the
next morning. Many duties were
hers to perform, and, in true house,
wife fashion, she commenced i'll sea
son. Her heart was lightened of its
heavy load, aud as she fitted from
kitchen to dining room, from closet
to cupboard, the old cook thought
she had never seen her looking half
so handsome.
Thanksgiving! Whata delightful
morning it was! The clouds had
b'own themselves away, and the sky
was that of Il September day. The
hostler, as he warmed his fingers be-
fore the kitchen fire, declared it was
"uncommon raw" but this Lillian.
looked out upon the pure blue of the
heavens, her cheeks glowing with
exercise, could hardly credit. The
breakfast bell rang ont merrily.-
Ii ian had made the coffee, and was
now busy in the dairy, skimming a
pan of last nights milk. Her silver
pitcher is full, and blithely she trips
to the dining room, anxious to have
everything ready before her guests
arrived.
Her slipperd feet made no noise as
they crossed the thickly-carpeted
hall. The door opens very softly
The dining room is just off the large
sitting-room, and right opposite the
open door Of the last liz an immense
mirror.
Pitcher in hand, Lillian stands like
one stunned. Bending low over the