Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-08-21

new view of the case; and then. a
the daylight grew fainter and fainter
and the triumphant freight, seem
ing TO think the sunbeams banishe,
by its own power, waxed holder ant
brighter lighting the whole room
warmly, and sending grotesque
changing shadows dancing in tn,
corners and over The walls, Sharli,
began to sing college songs in he
fresh, clear voice, and Gene ioinet
with his mellow baritone. They had
gone through with, 'Mary,s Littl,
Lamb, j. ria,' and the lone FISH
Ball : had finished the interrupted
adventures OF that Friday morr
when we set sail, aud were deyotino
their entire attention--after Genes
declaring with the greatest admira
ton, that Sharie knew all the col
lege songs as well as he did himself
Ito 'Rig-a-jig jig when Mrs. Nor.
ton entered. In moment Gene had
clasped her III his arms. and bestowed
many kisses on her willing lips; then
he brought an easy chair TO the fire
for her, and resumed his seat on the
stool between her aud Sharlie.
Il suppose you have been telling
Sbarlie all about Lee, Gene dear !;
but | have not heard it, and she will
not mind repetition; so please tell
me how he is.'
1t occurred to them both, sudden.
ly, that Sharlie had not asked, nor
Gene told, anything a al! about Lee ;
but they made no mention of the
omission, and tho boy told Mamma
Norton that his brother was well
and busy.
And best of all, Sharlie, he is com.
ing home for a week or two while I
am here | shall have to retire from
notice then; brothers will be no.
where =
Aunt Nellie,' asked Sharlie that
night, after Eugene had gone home
next door why does Gene call you
Mamma Norton p
Because his mother, as you know,
was my dear friend, and, living next
door to me, we were together almost
constantly; and the boys knew
scarcely more Of her care than of
mine. Eugene himself gave me the
name of Mamma Norton. when but
a mere baby, and has called me by it
ever since. Poor child! he was
scarcely more than baby when she
died, and since then both your uncle
and | have tried to make the bows
miss home as little as possible, BY
having ours always open to them !;
for there is little home.life in their
silent house, with their father away
so much, and only the housekeeper
there. 1t seems strange that you
have never seen Eugene before he
has no. happened to be at home, |
suppose, when you have visited me.
He graduated from Harvard last
June, gou know. He will be home
month or two now. l suppose, be.
fore entering Mr.. Browns office; 1
am glad he and Lee are to be in the
same town
How old is Eugene p asked
Sharlie, looking thoughtfully at the
red glow left in the fire place.
lie is five years younger than
Lee, and Lee is-?'
Twenty fve,' answered Sharlie,
promptly. Then Gene is two years
younger than |.
yes; he is young, but he will
never be as digni6ed and elegant as
Lee, even when older, Lee was al
ways the self possessed, quiet one !;
and Gene, from boyhood up, has
been the most mischievous, warm.
hearted, irrepressible. and withal, the
dearest, most irresistible boy in the
world
The 'irrepressible, warm hearted
and Irresistible was constantly at
Mamma Norton's,' during his visit
home. He became indeed. az he
had declared his Intention of being.
the most devoted of brothers; and
his attentions were offered 10 the
most appreciative of sisters. The
two took many swift seigh-rides to.
gesher, behind dashing steeds, when
the jingle of the bells was not more
merry than their laugh, nor the
sparkle OF the snow brighter than
their eyes. They speut long
mornings together in Mamma Nor
tons sitting room, wbls Sharlie
worked the rainbow into the foot
rest tor Lee, and Gene read to her
read all sorts of literature. from
deeply instructive articles in the
Natural Science Monthly to the
sad trials besetting the course of
true love, 80 related in the last nov
els; or tho melodious nonsense of
Calverly's jingle Sometimes they
would change places, and Gene,
pleading headache, or reminding her
pathetically that his eyes were not
strong, would put the book into her
hand and turn listener. Then 10
the evenings they attended con-
certs, operas, lee ures, together or,
if no such inducements called them
from home, Aunt Nellie would play
for them, while they waltzsd 10 the
long parlors; Gene declaring en-
Enthusiastically that Sharlie danced
better than any girl he ever knew,
and that Waiting, ordinarily, was
bore, but with her, pleasure.
But perhaps the happiest times in
all these brief, bright days, were the
soft twilight hours, when they sat be.
fore the bright fire, aud talked or
was silent, as their mood CHANGED to
be. There was but little wisdom ex.
pressed, probably, in those long .wi-
light talks; yet they were never wea.
risome, and what each said, seemed
TO the other well worth hearing. Lee
was often the subject of their CONVEX
sation, and Gene was never happier
than when talking in his praise; tell
ing Sharlie many stories of their boy
hood, aud of Lees acts and WAYS
before she had known him all re.
veaiing new traits to admire, and all
told with an exultant pride in his
brother.
i don't wonder you fell in love
with him. Sharlie he is SO grand