The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-01-17

pile of trunks and parcels.
ais this your trunk, miss!" he said, @
Josie approached him.
Yes, was expecting friends here t
meet me, but they are not here. There mus
be some mistake
Il know most of the people around here
What might the name be?"
"Crofton."
"Why, bless me, you've got off at tn
wrong station. They live ut North Bay
ridge, five miles beyond"
"When does the next train leave2"
'To- morrow morning"
Josie looked the dismay that she Gel tainly
felt at this announcement.
ats too bad, / declare" said the good
natured officer, plying Josie's evident dis
tress.
Then as his eyes fell upon the owner of the
team. who was looking toward them, he
added.
'.If this amt streak of luckl Here's John
Manning, their next neighbor. He can take
you along just as well as not"
"John, here's young woman that's got
off at the wrong station. She wants to go to
Crofton's. / tell her she can ride with you. -
The young man removed his straw hat re-
vesling forehead broad and full, whose
wilderness contrasted strongly with the
IL shall be very happy, If the young lady
has no objection to riding with a farmer,
and in farmers wagon"
The admiration SO clearly visible in the
honest blue eyes that met her own, made
JOsie's cheeks redden.
off it will not be too much trouble"
As the young man listened to those low,
softly spoken words, he felt nothing the
speaker could ask would be any trouble at
all. Springing to work, he soon improvised
quite a comfortable seat for Josie by passing
rope from one stake to another, Just back
of the board in front, throwing thick, soft
blanket over the whole.
Glad to De released, Jenny and Kate bore
them swiftly along the winding country
road, dotted here and there by farm houses,
nestled down among trees and shrubbery.
As soon as Josie got little used to it she
enjoyed her elevated and novel position,
which gave her fine view of the beautiful
country through which they were passing.
Her companion smiled at her enthusiastic
EXPLANATIONS and comments, seeming to take
pleasure, they being so frankly and inno-
Gently expressed.
"Do you think you would like to live in
the country" he asked, stealing an admiring
glance at the glad young face,
above all things, responded Josie
shat is" she added after a moments pause,
elf papa could be here too. / wish he could
be, just for little while he would enjoy it
so. Papa was brought up on a farm and it
would seem like old times to hear him.
heard him say once that he wished he had
never left it,
Il had strong DESIRE when boy, to go
to the city, where could get chance to get
rich, and not have TO work SO hard. But
am the only son--an only child since last
winter" here the speakers eyes saddened |
~ promised father just before he died, that
wouldn't leave the farm while mother lived, |
and l don't know that care to do SO now.
II wouldn't if 1 were in your place." said |
Josie, with q wise shake of her pretty head. |
ats dreadful hard times in the city. Ev- |
erybody is grooming about them, which makes |
it dismal enough. And as to working hard |
papa does. It's ever so much nicer here"
The honest young fellow whose heat was
in his eyes, in wardly hoped that she would
always think so.
"Therc is where | live" he said, aloud,
pointing to house with wide piazza run
ming around two sides. and which looked
very pleasant amid the green verdure that
surrounded It,
Young Manning drew the reins at the gate
inside Of which a peasant-faced, silver
haired woman was standing.
Heres the mail mother" he said tossing
down to her some papers and pamphlets.
Been lonely, any? I'm going to take this
young lady to Mr.. Croftons. My mother,
Miss Wilson,"
The young man took leave of Josie, with
feeling at his heart such "a he had never ex.
perienced before
slow pretty she isl" he thought, "and as
good as pretty, am sure"
"What an honest and pleasant facet Won
der if l shall ever see him again?' This was
what she thought.
Josie did see him again and quite often.
The Mannings and Croftons were not only
neighbors, but very intimate. Mary Croftnn
had always been strongly attached to Mrs.
Manning's only daughter, who died the pre-
ceding winter. She spent good deal of the
time at her house, and Josie frequently with
her. Mary was never weary of praising
John; he was such good son, and so intel
ligent, steady and industrious.
john soon got over his shyness with Josie,
who took so Kindly to country ways that it /
country. He used to walk home with her. |
Mary considerably fingered by the gate to
talk with his mother, we'll pleased with the |
turn affairs were taking.
Then they were rides and walks, picncs |
and social gatherings, at all of which John
and Josie had a fashion of getting off to |
themselves-a fashion that every one seemed |
to honor and understand.
And so the happy days went on, each day
binding those young, loving hearts more |
closely together.
When Josie returned to the city, which |
was two weeks later than she intended, she |
had pleasant story to whisper in her
fathers ear.
"If you love him, and he is worthy of YOU"
he said, in reply to the query with which it
ended.
Josie's quick ear detected the sadness that
underran these words.
"You know you promised to live with me
when was married, papa she whispered
laying her cheek closely to his. "And on a
farm. tool won't it be delightful"
Belle and Lucy returned home with that
conscious air of subdued triumph and i'm
portance peculiar to young engaged ladies'
Having attained the end and aim of their
existence, there was nothing further for them
to hope or expect. From henceforth they
were to repose upon their laurels, floating
down the stream of life, with no thought or
care for anything but the present enjoy.
ment.
Bellies captive was Wall street broker,
owning fabulous amount on paper. Lucy's
was the son Of millionaire, whose ambition
seemed TO be to spend rs quickly as possible
the money that his father had labored to
acquire.
fThev made no attemnt Tn diso,Iise their