Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-25
TED.


A trivial remark, but her husband
glanced quickly at the half-averted face.
"You are displeased Laure."
"Young Mrs. Amberley bit her beau
tiful lips in moments silence.
~ think 1 might have my choice, AL
gernon."
ut does seem little hard, doesn't it..
dear?" lifting lightly the little gloved
hand and kissing it.
Certainly Algernon wished to indulge
his bride Of month, but he continued !:
'In taking one Of these children of
my dead half-sister, l wish to make a
choice which will be the most benefit to
the family. The elder girls can earn
their own living. The younger is very
pretty, and will be adopted by a good
and wealthy family if we do not take her
away, while Ted
Ted!' interrupted Laure, 1mpatiently.
"Ted is at an undesirable age, and not
particularly brilliant and interesting; but,
as he is one who stands most in need of
help, I think we ought to take him"
''Such shock of tow-hair, and so hor-
ribly bashful!" pouted beauty-loving
Laure.
~ know the little girl would please
you, best, but perhaps the boy Will de-
velop better than the girl" replied Am
berly, in the tone of decision his wife had
already learned to know.
He was 80 certain he was right-that
the poor, friendless, uniformed boy was
most in need of protection and training
that he could not allow his wife's fan
cy to decide this important matter, much
as he regretted her disappointment.
The younger child-the little Nellie
was pretty as picture, and at the charm
ing age of three. He could not but
sympathize with Laure's wishes, but his
young wife was short-sighted. i.
He was older than SIZE, and felt oblig-
ed to decide the matter according to his
best judgment.
They were on their wedding trip.
From Niagara it had extended to Chi
cago; from that city to lonely tract of
rolling prairie, where resided this remote
connection OF the Amberley family.
The father of these orphan children
was coarse, hard man, who was already
casting about for second wife; and the
probability was that the expected step
mother would be little bene fit to the
two young and helpless little ones.
Laure regarded this man with feel
ing little less than horror. The rude
and primitive living was distasteful to
her refined sensibilities.
1t was only when she walked alone
across the great pillows of green. and,
standing IN SOLITUDE in the Silence, be-
held stretched before her countless
leaguessof luminous sunset, that she said
to herself that the West was grand and
beautiful.
They were driving now along the
smooth prairie road. A silvery creek ran
along its edge, bright and bank-full
Here and there Judus bush showed its
crimson among the bush greens. Te
right and left stretched away the bound
less prairie.
Laure had requested the driver to gel
away from the uninvitlng home; but 70,
the first time there was shadow between
herself and her husband.
In justice to young Mrs. Amberley, lei
me say that she tried to repress her dis.
content, but this only made her dlsap.
pointment more apparent tic her husband
More and more it troubled him, loving
his young wife most tenderely, and at last
he said:
eff you really cannot give up the lit.
tie girl, Laure, you shall have her"
"Algernon," she cried, at isn't that
I like the little Nelly so very much, but
1 don't see anything to like in Ted, who
came bashfully out to take the horses
He always stared at Laure. Certainly
she was the most beautiful creature he
had ever seen in his life.
Secretly he adored her as she fingered
moment now. Having descended from
the carriage, and being loath to go into
the house, he addressed her:
"Be you going to take me9''
"No," said Laure, quickly; 81 think
shall take Nelly"
"She noticed that the boys heao
dropped as he turned away, leading the
horses; but she took little notice of that
The next morning her husband was
called to Chicago alone on business. Shit
endured the uncongeniai surround
ings as long as she could, then caught
up her hat and her shawl and went GU
to walk.
She strolled half a mile, found TIT
fordlng of the creek, and still went on
The emerald of the bush-grass was
magnificent, the May sky arched above
blue as lapis lazuli. Sweet wild bird
flew over her head, and no other living
thing was in sight.
The great stiffness had wonderful
charm tor her. Now she looked wonder
ingly at the green distance surrounding
her; then wandered about, gathering the
flowers that gemmed the grass like ru
bles, sapphires and stars of gold.
The tinted clouds of sunset began t.
fail ia the west at last and she turned to
ward home.
After walking quite distance she be
gan to look anxiously for the landmark
OF her return. In vain. Round ane
round she wandered; but the changin:
light gave everything new aspect.
For half an hour she stood, with throb