Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1877-12-28


70 see any one III bad humor, and in
that way was restrained oftentimes
from wounding by her mischievous
propensity.
Several days had passed since the
girls conversation, when the object oe
it called to see Charlie about the ~
suit of some experiment he had been
making
A newly-cngagcd servant answered
his ring.
All unused to the ways of the family,
instead of conducting the visitor to
Charles den,' us he called it, he was
taken directly to the music-room, where
his young friend was listening to some
Scotch airs which Lucrctia was singing
in her rich contralto voice.
As he paused on the threshold for 4
moment, an mohScrvcd listener, She
was throwing her whole soul into the
rendering of son, vert thou in the
cauld blast -
Tears were near his cyclids as she
concluded the plaintive little song.
Thoughts long before banshcd from
y mind which would not be morbid -
looking rcsolutely ut the blessings vouch-
safed, instead of brooding over those de-
niea-now came thronging into his mind
with resistlesS force.
Why, oh why could not the Great
All-Father have taken my wealth, and
left me an unhlcmishcd body? Then |,
too, could have looked forward 10 i
happy home shared by loving heart.
Now 1t Is denied me. Lonely and un-
cared ior must go through life p
Thus for few moments rcgrctful ideas
came thick and fast
But the song was ended, and, with an
effort, he became again his cheerful
self, as, balancing his broad shoul-
ders on his friendly crutchcs, lie went
| forward
Charlie greeted him cordially, and in
troduced him to Miss Armstrong.
She bowed, and rising went immcdi-
ately from the room.
The recollection of kitty's remarks
made her sensitive for him, and she
WAS only too glad to escape from the
scrutiny Of the dark eyes She feared
could read her thoughts on her too cx-
pressive face.
Bertram attributed her departure to II
different reason.
Like all others, she wished to avoid
showing her aversion to cripple" lie
thought, bitterly
During the day at the Langdons lie
formed a habit Of calling often, and
strange to say, never objected to being
drawn by Charlie into the family circle.
although formerly he had preferred to
have him all to himself, and to avoid
the ladies of the family.
Several times upon his entrance l4ll-
cretla found IN opportunity to leave
upon some ostensible errand but, after
a time, she forgot to be nervous about
his visit, and remained an interested
listener to his eloquent and instructive
conversation, and then he learned to
look for the swift glow of sympathy
which never failed to brighten the
large grey eyes rs the chosen theme
scared to regions accessible only to
those gifted with natures above the
commonplace.
The Langdons lived comfortably and
even elegantly, but could not afford Il
carriage.
One evening, just at sunset, Mr.. Ber-
tram drove up to the door and asked for
Miss Kitty.
She came to the door and absolutely
danced with pleasure when lie invited
her and her friend out for drive.
1t took the girl but a few moments to
put ON her wraps and take their places
in the carriage
As Mr.. Bertram took his scat in front
Of them lie said to Kitty
i am sorry | never nave thought
before that drive might 30 enjoyed by
some of my young friends. | have
been very selfish in appearance, /
fear, but it was in reality owing to
my poor appreciation Of my lonely
rides. It never occurred To me that
they could be made endurablc by
pleasant society.
| Time flew on wings
hlttyS tongue, rs usual. Was in viva
cious motion; and Iucreta now and
then ehimcd in, although her enjoy
ment was most of the time too deep
for words
Suddenly from the roadside rushed a
tiny Skye-tcrricr evidently thinking lis
mission lay III the horses feet Hit Il
Shrek and Nrithing bundle of FIJI soon
convinced the occupants Of the carriage
that IT was all a mistake Oh the puppy's
part.
With a faint cry Kitty put her hand
lSerchief TO her cyes.
Not q Lucretia.
Please, MI Bcrtram have thc car-
riage stopped. | must sec III thc poor
little thing il killed.
Now, Cree, none Of your old tricks,
said Kitty, petulantly. really be-
lnNn ilrninn annna Ii1anI,. - AIr Pr