The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-06-27

smoothly braided black hair, tied with
scarlet bows, came demurely into the
room and was introduced. But the half
shy, half-dignifed company manner
soon wore away, and Mamie and I were
fast friends before dinner. She sang
for me in voice as deliciously fresh as
birds carol; she took me to see her
pets, the new horse that was her last
birthday gift from "papa," the ugly
little Scotch terrier with the beautiful
brown eyes, the rabbits, Guinea hens,
and the superannuated cid pony, who
had preceded the new horse.
In week was in love as much as
ever John could have desired. Mamie
was the most bewitching maiden 7 had
ever met, childlike and yet womanly,
frank, bright, and full Of girlish freaks
and boyish mischief, and yet well edu-
Gated, with really wonderful musical
gifts, and full of noble thoughts. She
was perfect idol in the village. her
friends and neighbors thinking no party
complete without her, while the poor
fairly worshiped her.
John allowed her an almost unlimited
supply of pocket-money, and she was
lavish in all charity, from blankets for
old women, tobacco for old men, to can
dies for the children, and rides on horse
back for the urchins. And she had
way of comforting favors that never
wounded the pride of the most sensitive.
We rode together every morning; we
walked in the cool evening hours; we
spent much time at the piano, and dis
cussed our favorite authors, and one day,
when I asked Mamie to be my wife, she
said, coolly:
"Why, of course; I thought that was
all understood long ago."
was rather amazed at such matter
of-fact wooing, but delighted at the re-
suit. How could I expect any soft,
blushing speeches? Isuppose I ranked
just where John and Nannies grand
mother did in her affection.
But one morning, when Mrs. Stillman
was shipping her geraniums in the sit
ting-room and John was reading the
mornings newspapers, Mamie burst in,
her beautiful face all aglow, her eyes
bright with delight, crying
ooh, grandma Walt has come
home! I saw him from my window rid
ing up the road"
She was going then, just as John ex-
claimed:
"Confound Walt! p
"Who is Waltz" I naturally inquired.
"Walter Bruce, the son of one of our
neighbors. He has been like a brother
to Mamie all her life, but went off to
Europe two years ago, when he came of
age. They wanted to correspond, but
forbade that. So he has turned up
again."
It was evident that John was terribly
vexed, and I very soon shared his annoy
ance. Walt, tall, handsome young
fellow, improved, not spoiled, by travel,
just haunted the house.
He was generally off with Mamie as
soon as he arrived, and blind to Mrs.
Stillman's ill-concealed GOODNESS. and
Johns sarcastic speeches about boys and
puppies.
AS for me, by the time my sleepy eyes
were opened in the morning, Mamie
had taken long ride with Walt, was at
the piano when came into the room,
and Walt was walking beside Mamie
when the hour for our usual stroll ar
rived.
And the very demon of mischief DOS
sessed the girl. There was no freak she
was not inventing to imperil her life,
riding, driving, boating, and I fairly
shivered sometimes at the prospect Of
my nervous terriers when it would be my
task to try to control this quicksilver
temperament.
But one day, when I was in the sum-
mer house, a very rueful little maiden,
with a stained face. came to my
side.
"Walt is going away" she said.
"Indeed."
eyes, and he says I'm wicked flirt, -
with choking sob; st thought I would
ask you about it. .
"About what? ?"
"Our getting married. You know
papa told me I was to marry you ages
and ages ago."
eyes"
"And | knew it was all right if he
said so. But Walt says you must be a
muH If you want a wife who is all the
time thinking of somebody else.
"And you know can't helpit. Walt
has been my friend ever since we we're
always together. And when he was in
Europe papa wouldn't let us write to
each other, but [ kissed his picture every
night and morning and wore his hair in
a locket, and thought of him all the
time. And he says you won't like it
after we are married.
"Well, not exactly" I said. dryly.
You'll have to stop thinking of him
then"