Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-10-18

and "ra'aP lnouiStivenesS. He watch
ed his pupils shrewdly, and among them
Margaret Holloway. Her starving face
touched him at first; afterward It's fire,
which was of u glowing and unhurtful
nature, and came out rarely, attracted
him. She was pretty of course; there
never was n woman capable of attract
ing without those shades, those comely
touches and goodly glows. You al adj
mire gifted woman-intensely; gaze
on wreathed brow afar, wondering il it
is feminine; for ideas certainly are
there. You feel ilattered by her pres
ence, enjoy her society-"a splendid
creature !" and from plain brow and
earnest eyes, you so to II little wooden
head, ornamented with pink cheeks
and long lashes, and vow to cherish it.
The truth is stereotyped. But not all
beauties are wooden headed, for which
you may be thankful.
Fritz Hainer had silently searched
this young girls face for her history
ever since he had seen it. A few hints
from neighbors furnished the clue.
Every day, while his eyes rested upon
her hair, he uttered mentally ly-."Poor,
brave child !" which expression at last
slid through various stages of these
weeks to be Dear little Gretchen T.
that morning she entered pale from her
brothers funeral.
Bending over her work. she never
glanced up, and really no thought of
winning tho teacher had ever entered
her head. A brown flannel dress, an
garnished by coquetish apron, or by
pretty bow ut the throat, braided hair.
forbidden to unfold its luxuriance iii net
or waterfall, what attractions could
these hold forth? Other farmers brought
nome from the market towns groceries
and dry goods i'll abundance, while
her father, whose Incidence had been
like knife whiting down his inherit
ed lands, brought package of tobacco,
occasionally some flannel for the baby
and rs luxury pound Of tea or cof-
fee-but without fail the tobacco.
1t was desirable to be neatly attired, iii
Margaret'S eyes; but the comfort of
mother and the boys was of major i'm
portance. She was going to ealnmoncy
for them. Does traveller over Scan
dinavian snow-tlowers stop and adom
himself with their beauty when the
wolves are on his track? She had no
time or thought for aught but ceanli-
ness; comfort even, was denied her.
She studied resolutely. But how re-
soiutely she had studied these months
before with hope of clothing little broth
er in warm wrappings next winter-now
he would never be warm. just so had
disappointment always followed her
The poor child did not reason that
disappointment follows All of us for
our good, and is often laden with bles-
sings.
After the noon lunch, nearly all the
school went to slide on the creek. Only
Margaret. Fritz and the Squire's daught-
er remained, the last mentioned young
lady busying herself knitting some scar
let mittens, and chatting with the teach
er. Pretty and arcn was she, with that
daintiness petting gives to one.
"Come and skate with me, Laura, f"
called young man through the door;
"I have q pair that will fit YOU prime" ;"
"Oh, no, it's too cold; and can't use
any skates but my own"
"Fie, cold! why you want some blood
in your cheeks"
"Mother told me shouldn't expose
my health, George"
'Very good; don't sit moping here,
then. Mr.. Hainer is coming ont to try
the ice by and by. Here are your wraps;
so come along.
''Dear there is no getting rid of you, "
demurred Laura, permitting herself to
be conducted away.
Fritz looked over his open book at
the yet bowed head, with its tawny locks.
If she had been another of his pupils he
would have spoken with CHEEKY freedom,
now nameless something held his
tongue, but that was not fear; for wo-
men moved quite different emotion in
him. He approached her deicately.
''lf you study so much Miss Margaret,
you will make yourself sick"
she looked up YEARLY and amazed,
and answered truthfully-"I was not
studying but thinking"
An awkward pause.
Is your little brother dead?"
A startled glance, and low" Yes,
sir. = She raised her full eyes again,
met his, and fluttered; that settled to a
!. peaceful gazing into those kind depths
above her. Fritz Hainer had never
conversed with his pupil before bat af-
ter this exchange of faith she never
avoided him.
Margaret grew to anticipate their
talks and walks homeward with danger
Gus eagcrness. Now, though remem-
bering mothers wants, she desired taste
full dress, with womanlv and right de-
sire to please this new friend who
! lightened her life. She did not once
think Of bewitching him; did not mag
inc she loved. Have / not told y0u her