The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-02-15

many admirers; and ono Of these Henry
Weston-was generally regarded in the
light of Lucy's lover. How Lucy herself
looked uDon him was not definitely
known; but one thing was certain: after
making diligent use Of the opportuni-
ties afforded BY seminary rules for social
intercourse, the young man was most ep-
portunely invited, by Lucy's brother Fred,
to come up to Ardley and help him spend
his summer vacation agreeably. OF
course he accepted, for Fred Taylor was
such q capital fellow, and It would be
such relief to get out of the city few
weeks. sass
Lucy would be ct home; and who has
not known the romance and witchery Of
country walks and rambles-moonlight
twi1ight-shade, sentiment and rosesi
IT Lucy was charming in the hot glare
of city gas-lights, what would she be in
the pure, untroubled atmosphere Of home !
Young Weston leaned back In his chair,
with Fred's note between his fingers, and
pictured that home to himself as broad,
green, country place." and Lucy AZ the
presiding divinity. shedding beauty,
sweetness and odor through the whole. 1t
was very pleasant to think Of, and, as he
contemplated the vision, the minutes
slipped SO rapidly away, that he came
within second of being late at his place
In bank-a thing that had never happened
before, in all his prompt, methodical
business life. Partly from nature, and
partly from years Of training in bust
ness that required the utmost thoroughness
and precision, Henry Weston's leading
the smallest details Of whatever came un-
Aue ksu hox,1 TI{a x<,d
him entirely, knowing that no item in
ed, Of let Slip for want Of care OF prompt
attsntion. Itwas character worth pos
sd1eing, and these sagacious ones were not
far wrong when they prophesfed that he
would take higher place In the bank be-
fore many yeArs, Certainly, he was earn
ing promotion. q
Vacation day slipped around, and Mr.
Henry Weston made his arrivalin Ardley,
having been duly heralded week before
by the hired girl, = 30 that there were
plenty of curious eyes regarding the great
numbering hack as it drew up in front of
Squire Taylor's house. There was the
Homestead, just as he pictured it-large
and breezy, with its graceful shadoRing
elms; there was Squire Taylor, dignified
and portly; his delicate, lady-lik wife
who must have been once just what Lucy
was now; there was Fred, with his rough,
hearty greeting; and timid, fluttering
Lucy. looking fairer, fresher, more en-
chanting than ever, in her pretty home
dreB Of delicate lawn.
That very evening, as they al sat to-
gether IN the queer old family sitting
room, and Lucy sang to a simple accom-
paniment, The Ingle-Side, and such
old-fashioned songs as pleased her father
best, young Weston gaze himself up for
lost, and decided that he really was in
love. Fred Taylor, with. his hearty zest
Tor hunting. fishing, rowing and country
pastimes, gave his friend little choice but
to devote his days to vigorous tramps and
rides through meadow and fhickG in
search ofsport 80 itnaturally kappened
that, when night brought them home,
they were ravenously hungry, and too
tired to be- either brilliant or sentimental,
and thus the wooing went on slowly.
Ono day, after week had been uasted,
~ " est0n mentally declared, violent
shower drove the young spcrtsmen home
IN the middle of the afternoon. It was
pIoasanf, - they rushed Into the yard, !;
drenched and, muddy, to catch . glimpse.
Of Lucy's face At the window, as she sat
c0ntentedly with her sewing, and Weston.
blessed the thunder shower that brought
him the privilege Of quiet afternoon
with her.
They ascended by the back stairs to
lredss xOom but, before they had half
completed the process of DOMINIC fresh
suits Of clothing, and putting themselves
In drawing-r0om trim, the Gun burst
icrth again IN al glory. To Fred's eye