The Grant County herald. (Big Stone City, Grant County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1883, 1880-11-13

naturedly.
"Well, then,' the gentleman resumed,
Il am quite in love with your morning
toilet; and il were in your place think
| would wear blue dresses and my hair
down my back all the time"
"Do you like thls?'' Gertrude inquired,
omical expression overspreading her
face. ~ am sure didn't think that you
would,' she added
"Then you must have considered me
man of very poor taste," Mr.. Bentley re-
piled. "If l were little nearer your
ye, Miss Gertrude, might infer from
your words that you had made your toi-
let this morning with view to my dis
liking it,"
Gertrude looked very much amused,
and with a curious glance at her compan-
ion, said:
zone would suppose you were an oc-
togena.ian, Mr. Bently''
II presume must be nearly twenty
years older than you, Miss Gertrude he
gravely answered. II am twenty nine,
and calling you twelve-pardon me if
those figures are too large-you see there
would be seventeen years difference, and
that is a great deal
"Well, I declarel' the young lady ex-
claimed, with flashing eyes and scarlet
cheeks "You must have singular
opinion of my father and grandmother if
you think they would allow me to wear
train and my hair on the top OF my
head If l were only twelve years old! l
oh Ha tn oh
tinued, making a low obelsance; "and
what induced you to think that I was
only twelye2 l am sure cannot un der
stand
81 beg your pardon the gentleman
replied, carelessly; "but | presume | re.
ceiyed my impression from your remarks
last evening as we returned from the wed
ding
Gertrude had no time to answer, for
Just here her father entered the room
and shortly after the gentlemen started
down town.
"Well, Gertrude" said grandma, al
they found themselves alone once more
"What is our programme to- day2 vii
you stay at hcme and play with you
dole, or may have the pleasure OF you
company on shopping tour2'
This was too much, and Gertrud'
walked out Of the room without word
and was seen no more tnst DAY. IN
next morning the young lady,s hair wa
knotted at the back Of her pretty head
and Mr.. Benfly thought her even NOR
bewl,chiag than the morning previous
Il made several inquiries for you las
night, Miss Gertruae,' Mr. Bently It
marked, as he Was again lett alone wit
his Young hostess ;'but no one SCENE
- know anything about you. Ii yeu ha
not undeceiged me about your age,
might have thought you had gone to be
like other children
MIR Bently, do you want me to d
spise your Gertrude inquired, lookin
her companion straight il the eye.
Miss Gertrude" Mr.. Bently e.
claimed, ith startinot all assumed.
.'B cause, il you do the girl wei
on, "you can ktep tw ting ne ct tt
past | have plenty of that to bear wit
.randma | doa't bel eve You though
yesterday morn ng that | was tw>l'
years old, when you sald so, 50 II
nocently; and | don't think that wa
very nice If you-though, | suppose
was quite smart, and just what deserved
do think have been pushed forwar
too much, Mr. Ben ly, and | do belieN
in girls being allowed to enjoy their CIR
hood. shall never wear my hair strln:
ing on my back again, though" The
after pause whil h her companion coul
not see his way clear to break. "Pal
said, Mr.. Bently, that you wanted me
90 to the opera with you to- ulght.
should like TO 60 very much, thank you"-
and extended her hand-''if you wor
make fun Of me. | think | shall hi
you very much, and don't see why '
7 cannot be good friends, notWithst ndli
the tremendous difference in our ages
IT don't think that Mr.. Bently cou
very well resist kissing the fair lit
, hand she extended SO frankly, and as $
didn't make any fuss about it, ! dol
! know why we should.
A year afterward, On the Young lad,
eighteenth birthday, grandma inquire
J with a peculiar smile about her stl
handsome mouth. "Then you doi
, think. Gertrude, you are too young to
engaged to Court Bentlys You "
6 have to leave your dolls, you know"
..Grandma,n said Gertrude, with I
old ominous flash Of her beautiful ey
! "that is very aged and very ST
| Ike. Don't you think If you sat up
t night or two you might produce son
5 thirg originate
] Grandma laughed and said no mo
} for, bad she not carried her polnt2
e -
AIIigators Hatched by a Hen.