Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-11-20

WC AAO0OA uAtAA ~ u0 was Hail UIOWncO.
He rose in our estimation from that
moment, though it was not in the ma
ture of things that we could give up
our diversion, and we were still plotting
against his peace, when hazard called
me away from our settlement to a little
place at some distance. l went will
ingly, for the house at which was en-
tertained was presided over by 1. young
lady whom it always gave me great
pleasure to meet. She was the daugh-
ter of the merchant i went to sees
bright, clever, and intelligent girl, and
to my taste peculiarly handsome. 1t
had struck me, moreover-no harm in
confessing now; there is an age where
we read volumes in smile-it had
struck me that the beautiful Eleanor
Hartley had special kindness for
me.
But on this occasion it seemed to me
that something was wrong with Miss
Eleanor. She sustained her part in
conversation only with an effort. She was
languid and depressed.
"This detestable climate is telling
on her." was my conclusion, and
outdid myself In my efforts to be
amusing.
At such times, rs we know-if, that
Is to say, we are not born takers, like
our friends of the Emerald Isle-there
comes the moment when everything is
used up. Neither joke, nor pun, nor
lively anacdote will visit the distressed
brain. Nothing remains but to choose
between naked commonplace and dole
full silence. To me, one evening at din
ner: such moment came. Up to that
time for our host was silent man) |
had done all the talking, and Miss
Eleanor's eyes had often mutely thank
ed me. could help her no longer. In
the silence that followed on this dreary
conception she raised her gentle voice.
What a plaintive look there was in her
face! How hard she was trying to be
animated; and how l felt for her |!
Happy thought Had l been alone,
should have cut caper. 1t struck
me all at once that had not told them
about our new conner, and the tricks
we had played upon him. This, if only
properly managed, would afford food
ioi i"uSAtCl "iIu auiuSciuellV lot
"Oh, by the by" l began, 81 have
not told you about the new fellow who
arrived at our place the other day."
Certainly Miss Eleanor's eyes were
fixed on me with an interest such as
she had not hitherto accorded to any of
my stories, and, thus encouraged,
proceeded boldly, telling them, only
with much more gusto, what had Just
told you, about the letters and adver-
tisements, the dead mems cards and
the false suicide. was so much taken
up by my own cleverness that did not
notice the way in which my story was
being received by my hostess. Judge
then of my establishment and dismay
when, as ended with an innate little
chuckle, she suddenly burst out:
"And do you call yourselves men
Do you know what l call your"
"My dear Nellie!" said her father.
l was speechless. She fixed her eyes
on my face, and the position, assure
you, was singularly uncomfortable
one.
IL call you cowards," she went on,
"and-and-" Evidently she was at a
loss for an expressive word.
"Miss Hartley" said, deeply peni-
tent, eff"
"Pray, say no MORE" she answered,
coldly. "Papa, 1 will leave you to ysur
wine."
l did not see her again during my
stay, which, as you may guess, was not
prolonged beyond the time absolutely
necessary. This abrupt and mysterious
interruption of an acquaintanceship
that had promised to prove interesting,
cut me up more than l can we'll express.
tried to cast the whole matter out Of
my mind. l could not. In every quiet
moment l would find myself running
over the unfortunate occurrence, and
trying to account for it. Had she
known him before? Was she in love
with him? The idea first made me turn
hot, then cold But no, impossible. Not
the most extravagant fancy could make
these two images, of Eleanor Hartley
and of our simple little newcomer
stand side by side. Looked at from
another point of view, the thing was
absolutely absurd. A score of men adj
mired Eleanor Hartley-fine, stalwart
fellows, the pick Of our community, for
none other would have ventureG to lift
their eyes so high-men broad-chested
and deep-voiced, and we'll versed in
every kind of world love. Was it not
preposterous to imagine that this pull
ing boy could be her schoice? How
then was l to explain her displeasure?
l did explain it. 1t would be hard for
you to guess how. But at certain times,
you know, our thoughts are peculiarly
obedient to impulse communicated to
them by will with which our
desires have tempered. / said to
myself that Eleanor Hartley was dis