Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-02

was regarded by all as prize, and sew.
eral were already planning what steps it
was best to take in order to win her. The
two most prominent candidates, however,
for Miss Browns favor, were Charles
Robinson and Stephen Jones. Their po-
sition and standing among the young
men Of the village seemed to put all 9TH
ers In the background. Charles, whose
father was wealthy, had every advantage
which money could procure. But Steph-
en-, though poor, had decidedly the adj
vantage over Charles in personal recon-
mendations. He had more talent, was
more sprightly and intelligent, and more
pleasing in his address. From the even
ing of the sail on the pond, they had
both watched every movement of Miss
Brown with the most intense interest;
and, as nothing can deceive lover, each
had, with an interest no less intense.
watched every movment of the other.
They had ceased to speak to each other
about her, and if her name was men
toned in their presence, both were al
ways observed to color.
The second week after her arrival.
through the influence of Squire johnson,
the district school on the other side Of the
pond was offered to Miss Brown. which
offer was accepted, and she went immedi
ately to take charge of it. This annouce-
ment at first threw something Of a damper
upon the spirits of the young people of
Pond village. But when it was under
stood the school would continue, but a
mile and half distant, and Miss Brown
would come home every Sabbath, it was
not very difficult to be reconciled to the
temporary arrangement. The week wore
away heavily, especially to Charles
Robinson and Stephen Jones. They
counted the days impatiently till Satur-
DAY, and on Saturday they counted The
long and tagging hours till noon. They
had both made up their minds that it
would be dangerous to wait longer. and
they had both resolved not to let another
Sabbath pass without making direct
proposals to Miss Brown.
Stephen Jones was too early riser for
Charles Robinson, and in any enterprise
where both were concerned, was pretty
sure to take the lead, except where money
could carry the palm, and then, of course,
1t was always borne away by Charles
AS Miss Lucy had been absent most of
the week, and was to be at home that
afternoon, Charles Robinson had made
an arrangement with his mother and
sisters to have little tea party in the
evening, for the purpose of inviting Miss
brown; and then, Of course, he should
walk home with her in the evening; and
theo, of course, would be a good oppor-
tunity to break the ice, and make known
to her his feelings and wishes. Stephen
Jones, however, was more prompt in his
movements. He had got wind of the
proposed tea party, although himself and
sister, tor obvious reasons, had not been
invited, and he resolved not to risk the
arrival Of Miss Brown, and her visit to
MIR. Robinson's before he should see her.
She would dismiss her school at noon.
and come the distance of mile and
half round the pond. home His mind
was at once made up. He would go
round and meet her at the school house,
and accompany her on her walk home.
There, in that winding road around those
delightful waters, with the tall and shady
trees overhead, and the wild grapevines
twining around their trunks, and climb
ing to the branches, while the wild birds
were singing through the woods and the
wild ducks playing in the coves along
the shore, surely there, it anywhere IN
the world, could a man bring his mind to
the point of speaking of love.
Accordingly, little before noon,
Stephen washed and brushed himself up,
and put on his Sunday clothes, and start
ed on his expedition. In order to avoid
observation, he took back route across
the fields, intending to come into the
road by the pond, a little out from the
village. As i'll luck would have it,
Charles Robinson had been out in the
same direction, and was returnin. with
an armtul of green boughs and wild
flowers to ornament the parlor for the
evening, He saw Stephen and noticed
his dress, and the direction he was going
and he at once smoked the whole bust.
ness. His first impulse was to rush upon
him and collar him, and demand that he
should return back. But then he 1ecol-
lected that in the last scratch he had
with Stephen, two or three years be-
fore, he had little the worst of it, and
he instinctively stood still, while Stephen
passed on without seeing him. It flash
ed upon his mild at once that the ques-
ton must now be reduced to game of
speed. If ne could by any means gain
the schoolhouse first, and engage Miss
Lucy to walk home with him, he should
consider himself SAFE But i. Stephen
should reach the schoolhouse first, he
should feel good deal of uneasiness for
no
very leisurely, and unconscious that he
was in danger Of competitor on the
course, and it was important that his sus-
picions should not be awakened. Charles
therefore remained perfectly quiet till
Stephen had got little out of hearing,
and then he threw down his bushes and
flowers, and ran to the wharf below the
store with his utmost speed. He was
ready at a moments warning to start on
an expedition of this kind, for Sunday
clothes were an every day affair
with him. There was light canoe
belonging to his father lying at the
wharf, and couple Of stout boys were
there fishing. Charles hailed them, and
told them if they would row him across
the pond as quick as they possibly could,
ue Woutu give IueA quarter OI QOlla:
apiece. This, in their view, was a
splendid offer for their services, and they
jumped on board with alacrity and man
ned the oars. The distance by water was
little less than by land, and although
Stephen had considerably the start of him,
he believed be should be able to reach
the schoolhouse first, especially if
Stephen should not see him and quicken
his pace. In one minute after he arrived
al the wharf the boat was under full way.
The boys laid down to the oars with