Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-05-22
OUR HERO.


The sun had gone down, red and
molten, like ball of volcanic fire, be-
hind the woods while leafless net work
Of branches made a border against the
sty as dainty and delicate as any thread
lace The red brick tower of Holmsby
Hal showed darkly athwart the back
Ground of lurid sky.
Polly Clifford, trudging home from
ber davis work at the village school,
stood minute at the rustic stone stile
to admire the exquisite blending of sky
and earth and gray autumnal sky.
"How beautiful it is" thought Polly,
!. and how like description in novel.
Oh dear, 1 should like to be rich and
live in great. great house like Holms-
by Hall. And how l wish we lived in
the age of romance, and then perhaps
the master of the old Hall would step
Out from the woods, and-we should
cet acquainted. Of course he would be
young and handsome, and he would fall
En- love with me at first sight, or it
Wouldn't be romance, and-but what
nonsense! Real life is different from
books"
Polly sighed softly as the dead leaves
rustled under foot, and the aromatic
breath Of the autumn wind moaned its
ow monody in her ear.
81 wonder why Mr.. Holmsby is trav-
cling about" she thought to herself. II
wonder why he don't come back and
live at the Hall? If had such lovely
home as that, know 1 wouldn't 20 of
Ind leave it."
Polly made pretty little picture as
he stood there, the wind blowing her
ilky brown curls about, and her cheeks
IS fresh as newly-ripened peaches, while
Yer dark blue eyes glittered like sapph-
res, and the brown calico dress she
Eore became her rarely.
Even as she stood there, musing with
he active Imagination that belongs to
unny eighteen, there was q rustic among
he relhedges beyond, a quick, elastic
|tep and young man sprang lightly
bver the stile, courteously doffing his
zap to Polly. Her heart gave a great
1utter.
The crimson rushed to her cheek.
Was it-could it be Mr.. Holmsby OF
Holmsby Hall? Was the tardy romance
Of her dreamy girl life about to dawn
on this windy October evening at last?
Pardon me-" he said, but think
must have lost my way. l went up to
the Hall, but it was locked and fastened.
and not even servant was there; and
now, when fancied that was about to
regain the high road, I find myself in
the midst of trackless wood. Would
p De asking too much of you to direct
me towards Holmsborough?"
Il can easily show you," said Polly,
pushing I yet contriving to speak with
cain, gracious dignity. "But hardly
the Hail." W. ~
Expected me ~
ne looked at her with some surprise,
folly's sweet, clear laughter rippled
1u' IKE the sound of mountain rivu.
Yet IN the silence of the woods.
All, you see that have fathomed
your secret, Mr.. Holmsby," she said
Ichly. You are worse than Ulysses
ol old, for if l remember rightly, there
was at least watchdog to greet him
"hen he returned from his long alb.
kence." '
Inc puzzled expression which had al
iils' characterized his face passed away;
ne, too smiled.
And may ask the name of the fair
or'une-teller who has thus read the
'ooS OF my past and present ~ he asked
My name. is Polly Clifford. l teach
me- ,ne village school just beyond the
@ooos, she answered, in a frank man.
.er, And now, Mr.. Holmsby, it is a
toou ilve miles to Holmsborough. and
cold evening. You are weary with
s.atei-one can easily perceive that
~l.hout the gift of second sight-and |
AM sure my brother, who lives only
a nail mile away, will be very happy to
'4. n YOU as his guest tonight"
me stranger looked both relieved and
mad not expected to receive such
outtesy as this" said he. But must
o aH myself weary enough to accept
1a se Alno offer with many thanks. And
I'm Ii1aps, when am settled at Holmsbv
h iali ne added, with curious, inexplic.
I, glance at Polly's bright, eager face.
on may be IN my power to return. in
PINE ,T measure, your kind hospitality"
onys heart beat with pleasant
tere - nu'ter. How handsome his eyes
on %Seo OS Bird, the village beau, talked
(ha v Gnu laughed so loud, that he made
~ window frame rattle.
marry Talkoft sat c.;.L L.: =.