Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-05-30

terribly modern and prosaic cutter
too thoroughly comfortable to be a
all romantic. But lovers are not st
| dependent upon circumstances al
some people imagine. Patrick perch.
ed upon one corner of the kitchen
table, gazes upon Biddy's plumr
face and deft fingers with an adora,
ton very similar to that whict
moves Augustus to throw himsel
upon the velvet carpet to lay the
treasure of his hearts wealth at the
feet of his angelic Mirabelle. Given
two human hearts that beat to q 70.
sponsive chord, and you have all the
elements of first class romance
And if Phillip had been little NOR,
audacious, or Margle little less con.
tra'y, they might have been as hap.
py a pair of lovers as ever the sur
shone upon. AS it was they man.
aged to ENJOY their misery very we'll
Rides, pleasant or otherwise, must
have an end, and in what seemed Ia
both Phillip and Margie an ipcredi.
bly, short time, the opposite shore
flashed clearly and brightly agains,
the blue sky. The ostensible object
of the ride was visit to Phillips
uncle,for whom,--it may be worthy
of notice merely as curious psyco.
logical fAct-Philllp's affection had
suddenly developed in the direct
ratio OF the remoteness of his domi.
Gle from the city of OFF our
scheming young lover had anticipa-
ted nice long visit with Margie in
bis aunt's cosy parlor, he had reck.
oned without his host and hostess.
Uncle A--had to exhibit his ht rses,
his cattle and poetry, his ne reaper,
the improvements in the stable; and
when Phillip, on cowardly excuse
of being cold, finally made his escape
to the house, it was only to find
Marg;e deep IN feminine consultation
about plating and ruffles, and be-
slowing so much admiration upon a
green worsted dog that was slowly
escaping from the white fingers of
his cousin Addie, that he savagely
wished the creature were alive, that
he might have the pleasure of pitch
ing it out of doors.
EARLY in the afternoon Margie
condescended for the first time to
notice Phillip who was sulkily lis
tening to heavy political lecture
from his Uncle, and suggested that
it was time to return
i beg pardon said Phillip, sud.
denly aware that bis divinity had
addressed him. Green worsted dogs,
and scarlet feathers, and brown eyes
were so hopelessly mixed up with
the Presidents message and Senator
Ms last speech, that it was no won
der he did not understand.
Margie sweetly repeated her sug-
gestion remarklng, by way of par
enthesis, that Phillip was more stu
pid than usual.
Phillip forgot the clumsy falsehood
he had told. and clinging desperate
ly TO his last hope of a moonlight
ride, replied that it was very early ],
no need of starting for a couple of
hours, at least, at the same time
turning bis chair 80 as to form one
Of the circle of which be had bither.
to been silent and unuoticed
adorer.
sBut you said we started early 80
as to ride while it was warm per-
sisted Msrgie malicously, delighted
to see the crimson beginning to
creep out from behind Phillips ears.
Yes, but l did not suppose it
would be so warm said Phillip des-
perately, going to the window be-
hind Margie's chair. See how the
snow is melting
Here q chorus of female voices
came to the rescue, and Margie re-
linquished her plan if indeed she had
ever entertained it. Uncle Amos
fred off his heaviest political guns
in Phillips direction but the latter
was too happy in his inglorious re-
treat to pay any attentiop,until Mar
gle, in sheer desperation, crossed
over to the enemy and astonished
the old gentleman by meeting him
on his own ground. Margie was a
politician by nature and defended
her position and theories with a
cIeverness that would have done no
discredit to professional stump.
speaker.
So the afternoon wore away. The
long slanting sun.beams that fell
across the table grew suddenly dim,
and Margie glanced up uneasiy at
the lake, over which fog was slow.
ly beginning to rise. Phillip hustled
hurriedly about in response to Mar
gie's pleading look, feeling an exul-
tant delight that anything should
send der to him for protection. What
were fogs or frosts, if Margie would
only nestle a little closer to his side
and les him care for her, thought
Phillip, as in spite of Margie's pro-
testations he wrapped an extra
shawl around her and tucked the
robes warmly about her feet.
The light of the setting sun could
be seen but dimly through the fog
as they drove down to the lake, and
Margie shivered a little as the faint
rays died out and the white outline
of the cliffs faded away but reas.
sured by Phillips confident air, they
were soon talking gaily, as the swift
hoofs flew along the icy track. Mar
gie's spirits were toned down some
what, and Phillip had decided that
the moment for which he had waited
and hoped so long had come at last.
Margie was intently watching the
horses feet, as the fog limited her
range of vision, and she would not
look at Phillip.
'Margie, Il
There was sudden dash and
whirl, which jerked the reins from
Phillips hands and almost threw him
from his seat. The horses which for
the moment were loosely held, had
in q fright completely whirled
the cutter out of the road. Phillips
strong grasp upon the reins soon re-
duced the heightened horses to q
steadier gait and he turned them