Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-05-13
NUMBER 4.

well-nigh faded.
He asked for glass OF water one day
hoping she would bring it herself. as she
did but the next time her letter came he
found himself wondering why she must
have it, and if it would make any differ
ence to him if she did not.
Then the summer went, and for three
weeks he delivered no letter bearing the
familiar address; then one with black
border and in strange hand. Norris be-
lieved he knew all about it, and was not
surprised that he missed the girls face
at the door, and the letters ceased alto
| gether. He knew then what a hold she
had taken On him, and in his sorrow for
hen grief. as he pictured it, and partly
because he wanted the excuse, he sent her
flowers, and sometimes books, through
tho mail he wouldn't have done it If Con
had been there TO laugh at his sentimen-
tality. This went on all winter. Then
Con wrote:
| "DEAR CUPID-Are your wings all
right! How about the valentines2 Glad to
hear old Perchance knew what he was
about. I'll bet you bought cigars and a
new meerschaum, first thing. When are
we to see you? Fling your mailbag at your
fortunate successors head and come right
on. The guest chamber is prepared Tor
| you; so is Yours. Con-"
"I'll have to GO" thought Norris, "but
l VOW don't want to. Who would be-
lieve I'd 1--we to say that2 I'll take day
of, and think about it," So he did, and
came to the conclusion he would be
| ryh la
But the first day the latch OF her gate
clicked behind him stopped dumb found
founded; ter although the sparows were
busy in the vines, and gray cat dozed
on porch in the sunshine, the house was
empty, and "For sale" stared him in the
face. He turned away, feeling as King
Midas must have done when the rose
turning to gold in his hand lost its per-
fume.
"That settles it." he thought; "l'll go
to Con-" But he first tried to find Mer-
cy's address, but was told all letters were
to be sent to certain P. o. box.
Con met him with open arms.
Thought you were never coming. Hell
10, by Jove! Shaved off your beard !!
Quite an improvement. What's new2
How's U. S. MI Awtully glad you are
out of it. You must have had fearfully
stupid tire all winter?"
"Not SO very" said Norris. "What
have yeu been doing2''
Con launched forth into series of &C
counts until they reached the house.
| The next morning the two sat smoking
on the porch. The horse-chestnuts were
opening little green parasols over the
primroses, lest they should get sunburnt,
I suppose; busy little wren was build
ing her nest in the honey-suckle.
Con was doing most of the talking, and
Norris sat back taking in his surround
ings. Finally he became absorbed in
watching the movments of straw hat in
the adjoining garden; occasionally it
would make its appearance above the
| fence-sometimes a side view and he
would catch a glimpse of brown hair un-
| der it; then front view less fortunate,
the least tip of chin only being visible,
and he could not decide if the owner
were young or old, pretty or not.
1t Was getting decidedly interesting,
when hand appeared taking hold of the
fence, and, rising from her STOPPING po-
sitlon, the wearer of the hat stood up.
Norris sprang to his feet calculating
who had been putting away silently for
some moments.
"Norris, my dear boy, would you mind
telling me what is the matter?" he asked
mildly.
81 only burned myself with the end OF
my cigar" he answered. Lets take a
walk. I'd swear it was Mercy" he said,
under his breath, and was so silent all
the morning that Con began to be great
ly alarmed.
''I'll tell you what" he said, "you've
moped so long that you can't get out of
the habit. We must do something wild
and bold and giddy TO rouse you up"
"All right" sand Norris. "I'm your
man."
"There's picnic somewhere to-day.
What do you say to that?'
"Flavors of spiders, ants, mashed pies
and showers. I'm not bold enough, nor
glddy enough either, for such an enter.
prise"
"Lets take drive"
sToo hot
"Oh, bother" cried Con. "No it ism t.
You're too plagued lazy. III take you
to see some girls. How does that strike
you9"
Norris was silent moment.
"Who?" said he.
"Ahow cried Con. 'That's it, is lt9
didn't think you were up to that sort OF
thing. It's more in my line, you know
Well, we'll 60 ON the warpath this after.
noon."
| Norris quietly acquiesced, hoping
thereby to meet his vision of the morn:
ing; but no such luck, and he was SO alb
stracted as to drive Con to the verge Of
despair.
"I DECLARE" he said, 81 don't know
what is the matter with you. You're moi
halfup to the mark"
j; "Don't mind me-" replied Norris. III
thaw out after while" ashamed to con
fess what was the matter.
Il The next morning brought another
glimpse of the straw hat, aud Norris ask
ed, with lazy indifference, looking into
the next garden:
i "Who's your neighbor, Cont"
"Who-that9 Fannie Randall-hasnf
been here very long; her grandfather
| lives there."
"Know herr"
"Yes; used to play with hel when we
were children. Haven't seen much of hel
since she came back, trough. Wen g
there, if you like, shall WEI
81 don't care if you do" said Norris
anxious to find If the nearer view would
dispel the fancied likeness. But it die
not, and during their call, he was driver
wild by his conjectures. She was so like
the same expression, the same little
ways.
'.I'll tell you, he said to Con after they
left, "I've seen Miss Randall before"
"very likely" replied Con; ''she hal
been staying with her aunt in the city
and has not been back long"
They walked on In silence for while
II "Do you know where her aunt livesY
q Norris asked, atlength.
No; I had the address, but have for
gotten it. ought to have gone Their