River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-02-28

in order. And please be careful of the
carver"
Two naughty dimples came into her
cheeks as she thus confronted her I'M
likely valentine" and the voice trem-
bled slightly with secret laughter. He
was young man and very good-looking,
now that she saw him closer.
"Arrah, miss, the howly saints reward
vel"
The Irish tone was so very broad that
! it sounded like farcical imitation. Mol
iy could not refrain from smiling; and
CLINT of mischief appeared in the grind
er's eye as he watched the effect of his
speech.
"Bedad, he went on, "this maids at
tinshum sayarely."
The wheel was now revolving rapidly;
but the man seemed to have eyes for his
employer as well as his work. He was
neatly dressed, and his hands seemed
to Molly strangely white and well kept
for the hand of a workingman.
In wonderfully short time the job
was done.
"Have you far TO go to dayl" asked
Molly, as the grinder handed her the last
article.
"A good way, ma'am."
"Then," she said kindly, perhaps you
would like glass of milk and something
to eat. Nv aunt's servant will bring it
out to you, if you would"
You are very kind" began the grind
er, in good English, and a courteous tone.
Then he seemed to struggle with a desire
to la Ugh. THE saints have you in kaip-
ing, Miss" he went on, relaps-
ing rapidly into IRISH; but nivir mind
the bit nor sup. It's nothing I'm naiding
the morn, but Just to thank We for your
tavors, and be aft" He shouldered his
wheel and sci off at a rapid rate while
Molly was fumbling with her purse.
Stop she cried after him; stop a
minute, please. | haven't paid you"
But the man only lifted his hat and passed
through the gate. Itwas gracefully done
-" like a gentleman" Mol thought,
and she wondered more and more.
''Such droll man y she said afterward,
atbreakfast ;''he wouldn wait for his mon
ey, and took his hat off to me like
young prince. | wish you had seen him
aunty.''
Him." replied Miss Gale, meditatively
1T would have been more to the purpose
had he put good edge on my carver. |
don't like the looks of it at all, Molly"
In effect it proved hopelessly dull, as
did also everything else submitted to the
gentIemanly grinder. OF course Molly
had to endure some teasing upon the
subject.
She bore it with good grace; and as
L., lxy4 lNa o,,1,.
cen, or. if remembered at all, only by
herself
The spring was advancing, II proved
an early one. Violets starred garden
beds by the first of April; hawthorn
hedges blossomed into smiles to greet in
coming May; the early roses crowded on
their buttoned-up buds and flushed with
bloom. 1t was impossible to resist the
sudden summer-tide of all things. No
body prate3 of rheumatism or preached
prudence. Old and young alike fl ng
caution to the winds, and, as if intoxica-
ted by the fragrant air, ignored dews, sat
on fresh grass, and committed all other
impudences. BY the middle of June a
picnic had been proposed and organized.
Such parties were not unusual even in
quiet Woodbury., but the Oldest inhabi-
tant could not recollect one so early in the
season.
Ofcourse Molly was to go. What could
picnic in Woodbury. be without her!
Her sweet temper, pretty, merry face and
deft fingers made her a universal favorite.
No one knew the wild, beautiful forest
hooks so well no one comprehended so
perfectly the due admixture of salad and
lemonade, or had such a trick of decking
an impromptu table tastefully with ferns
and flowers. Of course Molly must go.
And 1T was while in in the very midst of
some dainty outdoor housewifery that a
stranger was brought up for introduction,
and Miss Gale" had to look up from her
oak wreaths and frosted cakes to courtesy
to "Mr. Coarad.n A pair of dark eyes
met hers, with a sudden, amused, glad
recognition, which perplexed and mysti-
fed her.
"Where have | seen him befOre!' she
thought, again and again, as the day wore
on with its lively alterations of luncheon,
laughter, and Irritation. But no answer
occurred, and the new arrival followed
her movements with a devotion which
caused some teasing from the other girls,
and not a few jealous pangs among the
young mea. at is a case of see and con-
quer," whispered her friends among
themselves, but neither with surprise or
envy; for Molly was belle in her little
set, and none disputed her pretty SUI
premacv.
Mr. Conrad had come to Woodbury.
- on business it seemed. He did not
specify its nature, and no one could
guess it; it evidently absorbed little of
his time; but week after week he linger-
ed in the village, and, as business was
by no means the speciality ofthe place, his
errand was a subject great speculation
among the gossips. Young, good-looking
and much of a gentleman, he was unlver-
sally accepted and liked. Molly met him
here, there, and everywhere, and their in
timacy grew with great strides. Before
month was over she felt that she had
known him always fact which puzzled
her not a little whenever she took time to
think about it.
Still the resemblance which had struck
her at first pursued and haunted her. 1t
was not his face only-yoice and form
were also familiar; all suggested somebody
for ker life she could not tell who.
twenty IuIcS Sue was Ou thC H'Olhs VI
speaking Of it, and twenty times retained.
1T is 50 ridiculous" she said to herself.
at last explanation came.
1t CHANGED on picnic Woodbury.
was famous for its picnics. This was
held in the same beautiful grove where
she and Mr.. Conrad had first met in early
June The day was hot and brilliant.
Golden rod and purple aster flinged the
Taths; the August sky blazed through the
tree-tops; summer, gathering her last
blossoms in her lap, seemed Fastening to
be gone Dinner was over; people were
| living under trees, or wandering about in
groups; Molly and Mr., Conrad found
themselves alone in a secluded nook.