Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-11-20
TERMS. s2.oo PER YEAR
WHOLE NO. 1910.


in him this mute self assertion, SD
had as silently acknowledged his su
periority of will II was delicat
homage, most delieately received.
Gruff had been a critical observer
OF this momentary by play. He wa
severely sub, rosa regarding the inter
ests of this house, and utterly undem
onstrative towards its casual visitors
but his ear had quickened at tht
strangers first step, and he was now
shifting and fawning about, eager
tor notice, and giving vent to low
barks of welcome. He finally Jumped
to the gentleman's shoulder, and
licked bis face in transports of 10Y.
why Gruff! Old friend Is il
yon ? Forgive me if | did not know
you with this finery on, old fellow !,
i.o ss,a nave az least Que Wei
come to native shores And he
clasped the brute ubout the neck.
| Phillip ! gasped Miss Mansfield,
astonished and trembling, half lean
ing towards him.
Yes he replied. And you are
Mary. | see now why your face had
in it familiar look But the days
of the years of our separation have
beeu SO long and so many, aud time,
like river has rolled on between.
Yet he did not clasp her hand, or
say he was glad in her presence
Even Gruff had more proof of his
love than had she. Her cheek burned
and her pulses quivered. She stood
before bis searching eye Inundated
almost betrayed. she had yearned
80 for one chance of explanation
And be was here. But she was af-
frighted, dumb.
How did you find me2' she asked
at length.
L did not ind you. | do not know
that | especia ly sought you. j came
to this house as directed without
delay for my sisters child
'Goot heavens Was he, this dear
companion of her youth. the uncle
of her darling girl? What had az
over ruling Providence thus
strangely brought about?
Should sac tell this calm, self pos
sessed gentleman. how tenderly tho
orphan child had been cared for
when all her kin were reckoned
dead and every body gone p
Nay her old pride rose up to
match his quiet strength, and rho
grew coldly still
Mszie just here came dancing in,
her hair blown about and her cheek
aglow.
oh, Mamma; I've mad
such ride | am so gratefully hap.
py this day. And oh, this blessed
tonight. LIS it almost time to pre-
pare ? | want to get into my dress,
it looks like the glistening spray
Will you be seated 2 Miss Mans.
field said to her visitor, who till now
had remained standing. He took
the seat designated, aud she half
dropped on the sofa near by.
Come here, my darling, she said
to the happy girl. i have some
thing to say TO you thai may change
all our plaas. This gentleman is q
friend, my dear
Maize bowed silently, her spark
ling eye growing grave and appre-
heDsive. Then she knelt before her
"auniic," looking inquiringiy up to
her face.
Il want to tell you, my pet,' her
proud bps gro wing firm, though her
cheek was pallit /; how. one other
Christmas. long, long ago, when l
was young and hopeful. aud nearer
the verge If bliss 'han you nave ev-
err bsen, | broke TIE pledge | had
gwen TO orc | loved dearest on
ear b, and threw bis bethroihal ring
away
o., mamma-auntiel how could
you? sal Maize, 10 quick compre-
hension, glsncing toward the silent
listener.
/ Because be UdS so dear that 10
doubt him was TO grow crazed OF
/ die. My mind had been cnnningly
filed with the subtitle poison of dis
trust and when seeming confirma,
ton came, my wicked pride took
fire. / cannot enter into all details
| bad hoped 30 much Of that Christ.
mas day. 1t was to have brought
the consummation of our Joy; but /
made it a wreck. And each return
has been as a sign.m mark of disaster
or, as willow wreath over a tomj
In an hour | would have given
worlds to recall my rash act, though
\ not until months after did | have
proof that it was utterly without
cause
'Oh, If you were so sorry, Why
did you not make up?' said Maize
seeing that the gentleman haC
leaned eagerly forward, and Gruff
with happy soIicitude, was looking
from one to the other.
i could not. Maize my ftienC
bad gone afar, and left no trace
There is no path on the sea. hi
+ father was Methodist clergyman
and with bis wife removed from on
village about this time they lef
me no farewell, no address. / ha
banished their son. Only Gruff-
Philips do remained No com
! mand or persuasion could separat
him FIRM me. He held me in charg'
/ suppose, for bis master
A strong. shapelg hand was lai
! on the dogs head and the impu
sive Mszie's arms were about th
rough neck. her quick fingers TiC
ding bin Of his undignified trap
4 pings.
But Miss Mansfield scarce note,
I as she went on You broke up N
1 chain of recollection somewhat, u
dear, when you came a stranger
e me with your little present; az
c yet you, in some way, added ne
link thereto / bad received in
!, such one from Philip, years b.
!. fore, .he fret gift day | knew hin
I deemed it a mere coincidence b.
the two apples stand side by side
!. the alcove,you will see,if you CLAM
that way. | tell you all this, N
4 dear, TO pave the way to a revel
4 ton that 1 must make. You So
:. you had learned to spice the ire
ap,Ia franz vour ra othar. had aha