Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-03-12


stake the easy chair, sir, yon must be
quite tired" said Mrs. Stacey, in her cor
dial, unassuming manner. .:Ella, take
Dur guests cane, and bring stool to put
bis feet on.'' - -.-szs5sss
Ella complied with a reluctance that
was painfully apparent. /
II fear thee will put myself to too
much trouble.'' said the Quaker guest,
with benign smile. ,.I'm glad to feel
thy hearty kindness, but thee must not
be inconvenienced My name is Samuel
Peyton, but I'd like thee to call me
Friend Samuel If thee will. There; thank
thee, child" as Ella placed the: stool at
his feet. $50 thee, l suppose, is papa's
pet; is It not 500" l.
The maiden forced phantom of a
smile to her features. ! .~''
"Thy cheeks are wondrously fan, child
he continued, in lower tone, his bright
eyes scanning her features closely. "Thee
must bevery Thankful for these blessings.
Thee will not be very angry with my
words, know, for am old enough to be
thy grandfather, I think. Doth it not ap-
81 haven't thought Of it," answered
Ella, yawning.
The Quaker dropped his eyes, and fold
ing his arms, erelapsed into silence.
"You ought to take more interest in
the old man, sister," said Ruth, when the
girls were alone in their chamber. "He
seemed sad after you answered him SO
inaifersntly. Perhaps he had daugh-
ter once, and you made him think of
her." @'' ''-' = p
J, elbow very considerate you are" re-.
joined Ella, with curling lips. "You're
enough to torment the life out Of anybody
with your wild surmises and fanciful
conjectures. Here you grow sentimental
over an old man that you never heard of
until this evening. Suppose he had a
dozen daughters-is that any reason that
I should be bored to death with his ser
mons2 He'd have talked to this time if
Id listened to him."
"You may have need of sympathy some
time. ,nd then you'll know how sweet it
is to others. We can't afford to be in
different to each other IN this world"
said Ruth gravely.
"You'd better put on drab. and &C.
company Friend Samuel on his travels! ,
laughed her sister as she crept into her
bed.
Three days passed away, and the Qua
ker yet fingered. To Mr.. and Mrs. Stacey
and Ruth his society was very agreeable,
but Ella had taken dislike to him from
the first, and so she remained from him
as much as possible.
II am afraid thy sister is not favorably
disposed toward me, Ruth" the old man
said one day, and his voice quivcred a
little.
Ruth blushed and bent her head as she
replied.
"Ella doesn't stay indoors much at any
time; she loves to be among the flowers
and birds. She has warm heart, as you
would find if you should be with her long
enough"
"Ruth will not decry her sister-tha,
is very plain; and it shows that she il
good herself" thought the Quaker, strok
ing his whiskers; then he answered. 81
do not doubt thee, Ruth; out why is il
thee stays SO much 1nside2'
II like homework, and mother needs
help"
"How long is that tedious old man tx
stay here2" asked Ella of her father, al
she stood on the threshing floor of thu
barn.
GAS long as he has mind to, s'pose
I can t see why you're SO against him
He's good and sensible, and thinks your
the prettiest girl in all the world"
"Pshaw his compliments are too old
Arthur Harris will be here in nine day.
now, and I dent want this old fellow
here then"
"Well, he won't be-" answered Joh1
Indignantly. "By the way, has Rutt
said anything about Arthur's coming?'
"She? What does she care2 Her mind
is all taken up with the kitchen and sew
ing and books She'll die an old mait
I'll wager anything"
"But you wont, eh2 chuckled the faith
er, pleased with her childish abandon.
''No, WON'T" she exclaimed, with
confident smile, and toss of her chest
nut ringlets. "I'll be Mrs. Aurthur Har
ris yet, and live in the city, you see If
don't! On, wont it be delightful, papa
to have you come and see me, and tax,
you out in my elegant carriage, will
horses all covered with silver mono
gramsa'
'Tut, you crazy girl! Put you mint
on the solid things Of life," said the ia
ther, amused, yet panied.
j Ella turned just then and saw MIR. Pey
ton, within few feet of her. She frown
ed and moved her slippers restfully. Hat
he been listening?
| 81 believe he's meddliEg old man,
she muttercd, angrlly, as she ran TOWARD
the house.
Five days later Mr.. Peyton took his de
parturc, with many expressions Of graft
tude for the kindness shown him, and tn
hope that he SHOULD live to see his friend
again.
Time went on swiftly now, for Ell
was engaged in remodeling dresses an,
buying sundry articles to make hersel
more beautiful in the eyes OF Arthur Har
; ris. She had always felt desire to liv
:. fashionably in the metropolis, and sh
taught herself to believe that the oppor
| tunity for the accomplishment of be
wishes was near at hand.
AZ 4oHSta Suo udy ~ Aous1 dHliClpdLe'
was at hand, and Ella arrayed herself il
a most elaborate costume to receive tn
son of her fathers TREND. Ruth had gon
out that afternoon to MAKE call, and pre-
lfer1ed to walk rather than to rlde, from
Discrimination to be the first to see MI
Harris But circumstances shape on
course, whether we like it o." not, and
so happened that Ruth drew near til
station Just as the train came in. Their
was only one road, and 80 she must IT.
to speed to get by the station before tn
passengers came out; but just as sh
neared the door a musical voice said
"Ruthi''
i She paused in surprise and looke'
around, but no one was to be seen.
4 The next instant, however, a sfne-look
ing young man came out, and clasping
ing both her hands, said warmly:
Il "Miss Stacey-Ruth- am delightc,
to find you here" -.
vt is Mr.. Harris, suppose" sale
Ruth, blushing crimson, and so confused
that she knew not what to do.
i eyes, your folks are all well, trust,
he replied formally, and in voice en-
tirely changed
! Ruth regained her self-possession a
once, and answered him with easy polite
ness. ..-.....
How did he know her SO quickly
Why did he greet her SO war1nly3 -
i These questions repeated themselves il
the maiden's mind until she sighed witt
WEAKNESS and wonder; but she dare no
AJAX him to exDIain. -