The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-05-01

absence from home gave the natural
generosity of his nature fair play, and
he developed into . really fine fellow,
high-spirited. frank and popular. Oh
the s'feud'' and its progress he was
of course aware, but it held 80 little
place in his thoughts that when, to.
ward the end of his second college
year, he accepted the invitation of his
chum, Robert Ashe, for Saturday and
Sunday ut Hollow End, it never oc.
CURED to him that by doing 60 he
brought himself into the close neigh.
borhood of the hostile family OF
Greers, whom his father had disliked 50
much.
"By George! this is pleasant" he
exclaimed. as they drove over from the
three mile-away railroad station.
"What an air! 1t never seems worth
while to breathe in Boston. I could
almost think was smelling flowers;
but there can't be any up yet, sup
poser
"Not hereabouts. We are very late
with our springs" replied his friend.
:" But that's all stuff about Boston air,
Phil. It's first-rate air, I think-just
as good as need be; and as for flow
ers, haven't you noticed the crocuses
in the Public Garden, and the grass on
the Common-green as June? Give me
the cityr'
"And give me the country! Twas
born on farm, and l hope always to
live on one."
"And l was born on . farm, and
hope never to live on one," retorted
Robert.
The good humored wrangle only end
ed with their arrival at the Ashe home.
stead. 1t was more than an ordinary
farmhouse; it was q substantial old
mansion, square, paneled, low-ceiled,
such as still exist here and there in
Out-of-the-way places, unreached as yet
by the ruthless hand of "improve-
ment." Inside were many comforts,
and an air of old-fashioned refinement,
which Mrs. Ashe, . woman of superior
taste and education, had known how to
value and preserve.
whats going on, mother?' de-
manded Robert, after greetings and
supper were over, and the travellers,
warmed and refreshed, were enjoying
an unchidden cigar by the fireside. II
say, Phil, isn't it jolly to have a mother
who don't object to smokingr'
ut would be odd if I did, after the
breaking in have had," replied his
mother. IA pipe-loving father and five
smoking brothers, to begin with, then
husband with q cigar in his mouth,
and three boys just as bad. I ought to
be used to it by this time, certainly.
What did you ask me, Robbie? Moth
ing ever goes on here, you know.
Except the confirmation tomorrow.
That is something. It is Easter-Sunday,
you'll recollect. Mrs. Allen and have
been at the church all the afternoon ar
ranging flowers"
"Where did you get fiowersp Has
anyone set up q greenhouse since went
away?"
"No; but almost everybody keeps
pot plants, and they are all glad to lend
them for the purpose. My large pittes-
porum is in bloom. I sent that over,
with a Gala or two and pink azalea,
and quite a number of geraniums. Mrs.
Allen had roses and hyacinths and some
pots of oxalis; and there were num-
Der of other things-cnough to make
quite a pretty effect. Miss Greer
brought a beautiful Easter lily, with at
least q dozen flowers on it. l can't
imagine how she contrived to make it
blossom just at the right time. Blythe
way, that is your name too, Mr.. Greer.
Are they connections of yours, these
Greers of the Hollow?'
"Distant oues." replied Phil, stiflly.
Then he child himself as absurd, and
went on, frankly: "That is to say, we
are second cousins, 1 believe; but there
was some quarrel in my grandfather 8
time, and we have had nothing to do
with each other since. I don't know
the rights and wrongs OF the matter ex-
actly. Are there many of them?"
"Only one daughter-this pretty lit
tie Azalea."
"Azalea! Ye gods, what q namer'
put in Robert.
"Yes, it is an odd name. Old Mr..
Greer was dreadfully disappointed not
to have son, have heard. He is
bedridden now and a paralytic, and
fear things are not going well with
them. There is no one to manage the
farm but an inefficient hired man, you
see, and it has run down badly. am
sorry for Azalea Greer. She is nice
girl, and it is q lonely life for her; but
there seems no helping it."
The morning dawned as Easter
morning should-fair, cloudless and
smiling. 1t was early April, and the
trees were lea6ess still. but the rising
sap tinted their boughs with lovely
shades of orange, pink and rosy brown,
and all the woods were full of sweet
prophetic scents, caught from sun
warmed mold and invisible buds. Cat-
kins swung their pearl gray tassels
from the willows branches; a sense of
hope, of expectation, filed the air.
Earth made ready for her renewal
type of that greater resurrection which
Easter prefigures. The sunshine sifted
down in q fine rain of gold, and winter
and all wintry things seemed in mo-
ment to slip away and be forgotten.
The little church at Hollow End was
fragrant with flowers. Phil thought of
the hired decorations of the great city
churches, of choirs whose anthems of
JOy al % V0ACuA6OCU ~ m6Ek0L T6C3Ss uOCes
by note, and the contrast pleased him.
The service, which had for him the
charm of comparative novelty, seemed
especially tender and striking in the
simplicity Of its country setting. He
was touched and sobered into q gentle
gravity unusual to his gay nature. At
such unwonted moments the heart is
made ready for new and strong i'm
preston. Pills heart was ready; the
impression came.
The candidates for confirmation were
requested to come forward to the chan.
eel. The last to appear was q young
girl, whose dress brushed Philips
sleeve as she went by. He was con.
scious of q fragrance of lilies, and his
eyes followed with vague interest a.
she knelt or stood among the rest; blu,
he could see only slender figure
dressed in gray, and q great knot Of
hair, like FURNISHED red gold, at the
back of q small head. The service
over, she turned, and what seemed to
him the sweetest face that ever mortal