The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-07-25
From the Waverley Magazine.
SIMPLY A STORY.
By MYRTLE COOrER.

please tell US story, papa" Yes,
papa, please do" and my two little
ones nestled up to me, both talking at
once, and pleading for story. 1t was
Of no use for me TO try TO read, so /
laid down my book and turned toward
the youngsters.
"What kind of 4 story do you want?"
asked, taking tie youngest, ten-year-
I'D Frank, on my lap, while my fifteen
year-od Arthur seated himself on
ow stool at my feet.
"Oh, true story, papa" says Ar
.hur. Eyes, true story" echoes
Crank. So, making a virtue of neces.
,ity, commence,
"The day had been intensely hot; the
little air that was stirring was rs heat
ed as though it came from huge fur
mace in full blast. The grass on the
uplands looked dry and withered, and
the fierce glare of the sun was almost
ntolerable to my aching eyes. | had
ridden forty miles, and my pony was
beginning to show unmistakable signs
Of WEAKNESS: not Il living object nor a
human habitatiOn had met my sight
since | left the cattle camp that morn
ing. 1t was a wild region, with only
now and then cattle rancho; but
though | had followed the trail all day
| had not sighted one Of them. Reach
ing the top of divide, checked my
horse, and rising in the stirrups, looked
about me. ! must soon camp for the
night, butno suitable place was visible;
50, settling back again, l rode on. l
had travelled probably three miles fur
ther, when, rounding the point Of a
hill, a scene met my gaze which caused
me- to emit low whistle Of astOnish-
ment. If had stumbled upon Alad-
din's palace could not have been more
surprised, for there, only a few rods in
'front.' of me. nesting upon the side OF
hill, like snow-White bird inits leafy
nest, and bathed in the golden splen-
dor of the setting sun, stood tiny cot
tage, with long line of out-buildings
stretching away to The right, and all
neatly painted.
at the foot of the hill broad bottom
stretched to a belt Of heavy timber, be-
tween the foliage of which could be
seen the glimmer and sparkle Of sheet
of water; group of cattle and horses
;7ere grazing on the bottom, but no per-
son Was visible, and | had nearly reach
ed the gate III front Of the cottage be-
fore beheld any other signs Of life.
Suddenly a tiny black and tan dog
darted out from somewhere and began
barking furiously. Come here, Gyp,'
called a sweet voice, and | looked up to
see standing in the doorway the pletti-
est girl l ever beheld. a slight, grace
full form, rather under the medium
height; a com mplexion like an apple blos-
som, fine, clear-cut features, large eyes
of the darkest blue, a small, perfectly
shaped head, crowned with a perfect
wreath Of golden hair; ole little white
hand held half open book, while the
other rested against the door frame.
"'Is the gentleman Of the house at
honer' ! inquired.
"'Papa is just coming home,' she re-
Piled. motloning toward horseman
who was just coming in sight over the
brow of the hill.
''Thanking her, rode out TO meet
him. Explaining why [ was there, l
asked for and obtained permission TO
remain over night. The next day ii
rained, and the wind blew rs 1t blows
only in Kansas, go l was obliged to re-
main until the following day. l can
truly say that | should not have been
sorry if it had stormed week. But
AL pleasures must have an end, and
this was no exception.
"At the close of the next day had
reached the railroad, and three days
later was al home for a month; and was
very busy; but I'D amount OF business
Or pleasure could drive that girlish
form from my mind; sleeping or wax
ing she was constantly in my thoughts;
at last sat down and wrote TO her ia
sher, asking permission 10 correspond
with his daughter, providing she acQul-
ssced. In due time an answer came, a
favorable one; and l wrote to the young
lady friendly letter, and received her
reply. The correspondence so strange
" begun, was continued for over a year,
and from being merely friendly letters,
they had by degrees assumed Il warmer
tone, aud ! had at last asked for and
obtained permission 10 viait her, not as
friend, but as lover.
at was several days after received
her letter before | could arrange my
business 50 that could leave, and over
/ a week had elapsed before | reached
the nearest settlement TO where she
lived. Hiring Il pony l started back
! over tile trail that had travelled year
before. Il VAS again nearly sunset
when came in sight of the cottage: it
had been a dull, cloudy day, and just
before ! reached the house it began 10
rain. was very impatient to get there.
so | started the pong into brisk trot
Nothing was changed; the cattle were
grazing by tie creek, and the same lit
tie dog, grown q trilie larger, rushed
out barking as hard as ever. l dis