Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-12-11


Milton is genuine-pald me as trib
ute to my womanhood, pure and sim
ple-and how much is due to the faci
that | arm MISS Amesbnry, a vel dis
posed, we'll born, and we'll dressed
young woman with property in IN,
own right You see, Harry, like tn.
Qaeen of Sheba, who waved 80 con.
tiiential with S .lomon, | We told you
all that is in my heart
Doubted and Harry smiled dowr
into the sunny face whose swift
bushes the poke bonnet did not en-
tirely conceal just now; she had
pushed it back for air during he,
rapid walk
Miss Amesbury had two lovers
Charley Weir. resident OF Milton
aud Leigh Crawford. who was quite
really to become so for her swee,
sake.
Weir was druggist, and had bull,
up good business in Milton by -four
years steady effort. Crawford was
boarding at the hotel for the summer
attracted to the neighborhood by
Miss Amesbury's presence He was
reported TO be rich aud Spectator
which name conveyed a vague idea
OF greatness to the more simple coun
try people, while another class was
less dazzled by his display of wealth
and his profession
Whatever his duties were, they did
not bear heavy upon him. On the
whole, he was rather popular than
otherwise. He scattered his money
with liberal hand.
HIS blood horses had stood many
morning this season at Mr.. Horton
door. when Miss Amesbury chose to
ride.
She was fastidious in her tastes
there was longing of hers gratified
when she rolled along luxuriously
leaning back upon the rich cushions
of Crawford's elegant carriage.
Bat when Charles Weir stole in al
nightfali, and she walked up and
down under the stars by his side,
listening to his deep voice she fell
the qualification of higher need III
her nature than the desire for luxuri
Gus surroundings. She was barely
twenty one and younger than hel
years indicated. Still she was liber
ally endowed with will and energy
sensitive on one point, almost NOR
bidly 80. That development she
owed to an aunt. narrow. bitter
woman. who had received her into
the only home her childhood had
known. She had learned from hei
to distrust those who approached her
as seeking for her fortune.
The two were nearing the postof
fee Looking up, Rose saw the usua
crowd of loungers occupying the ri
azza of the building. The piazza wa,
accessible only by means of fl Oh
of wooden steps, few in number, bu
rninous from age, and steep withsl
There was alN avs this throng abpu
the office on winter evenings Sh,
knew we'll enough how Muse Ames
bury would have been received, i
she had come up the street in he,
own proper person. There woulf
have been deferential raising o
hats; drawing back, right and lett
to leave broad space tor her. pas
sage-perhaps even an outstretchef
hand to assist her over the worr
boards in case Of need She wa.
known personally to many of the VII
lage people--had speaking acquaint
ance with nearly all
Presently she recognized, partly
by his voice, Leigh Crawford. H,
stood directly in front OF the door
way, the centre of the throng. She
took sudden resolution.
Don't stop, Harry. Go to the enc
of the block and wait for me bv the
drugstore. On the whole, I'll e
down with you and walk back alone
can mail the letters well nough
but if there is anything in our box
we'll have to devise some plan o
getting it. Mr.. Games would no
entrast our mail to either Of us un
less we reveal eur personality. Nov
wait here, please I'll be back il
five minutes
Accommodating through the win
dow, che had seen that her lover
was within. Harry obediently seat
ed himself on bench in front of q
store and waited. Miss Rose walked
back with u step less springing than
usual-the stiff boots were getting
liresome.
At the foot of the stairs she paused
slightly. Two or three moved t
give her room to pass, gray haired
men these, the fathers OF the town
instinctlvely polite to women, as is il
wont of gentlemen of the old school
Leigh Crawford, standing Direct,
across her path, looked supercilious
ly down at the sun bonnet withou
stirring, little dreaming whose darl
eyes were flashing beneath. She
made little Imperlous gesture will
one hand, characteristic movement
of Miss Amesbury; she was forget
ting her disguise. She revealed he
coarse, thick glove by the motion.
Move, Crawford! this person want
to pass whispered a young man a
his side, the words perfectly aud. bic
Too much trouble drawled Craw
ford, lazlly, tracing design with hi
cane on his polished French boo,
1.-THE person may AS well 90 round
Miss Amesbufy acted on this sng
gestion-she walked round the oh
stacle and into the office. With al
her liking for Crawford, and hls ia-
cinating ways, she had always dis
trusted his laugh she heard il nov
With thrill 81 indignation, kno y
ing il had followed some witticisu
al her expense.
She dropped her letter. into til
box-sevents one was empty. Sh
retraced her steps to find Mr.. Craw
ford still blocking up the way sh
crept around him as before but th
narrowness of her ioothold made
insecure. One of the clumsy boot
caught in splinter, and she neve
knew how it was; she made TIRE
mendous muscular effort; helpln
touch would have saved her, but