Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-10-21

This dark-eyed youth has a good
deal more of the poet and dreamer
and the woman, about him than hi
has of the man. | think he admire.
me in vague, dreamy way indeed
he tells rue so, but not like other
men. He seems to dwell in dream
land, apart from common mortals
Indeed he did just then-a dream,
land so beautiful it glorifed the
world for him with wondrous beauty
aud caused the grave-taced, plain.
featured Amanda to watch him with
serious concerned eyes.
What has &C me over Hugh oil
late p she said to her father one day,
after Hugh had gone out. He seems
unlike himself, someway-do you
notice it (? And where does he 90 SO
aftan ? He never .usad tn go alvey
that he did not tell me where
The old farmer smiled.
'He goes down to see neighhor
Maxon's pretty niece, | should think
from appearances, Amanda. We
can't expect Hugh to be a boy al
ways-he is a man in years, remem-
ber.'
Amanda's heart stood still. Hugh
man ? and Hugh in love-and with
her? She grew numb, even to her
extremities, and sat down to gather
her thoughts.
She had seen this niece of neigh
Dor Maxon's-a pretty, fair, graceful
creature, she remembered-bu so
dainty, so elegant, so soft fingered
and white-skinned; she seemed a
part of another world than the one
Amanda and Hugh had a'~ays
known.
'Oh, it must not, must not be 2 she
cried. sHe must not love her, for it
will only bring him pain and sorrow.
o! Hugh. my own dear boy, Hugh.
And spipster Amanda buried her
face in her hands, and the tears fell
through upon her checked apron.
Then she arose aud wiped her
eyes. and put on a clean collar and
apron, and went over to neighbor
Maxon's.
She found Aunt Sarah quite alone,
busy at her ironing table.
your niece hasn't left you, has
she? she queried as she took prof
fered char near the open window.
%, no. answered Aunt Sarah, as
she continued with her ironing. 'She
has gone out for forest ride, be-
lieve, with Hugh. They seem to take
a sight of comfort with each other
and I'm glad enough, for | thought
I'd have homesick girl on nv hands
before the summer was over. She's
so used to having good many folks
about her. But Hugh, he's with her
so much, and they seem to get along
SO well; she seems to be quite con-
tented. They're like two children
together.
Amanda famed her flushed face
with a newspaper that lay conve.
nlently on the window SILL
'Your niece intend to stay long p
she asked, looking out OF thel win
dow.
Until September, l think Aunt
Sarah replied, polishing a shirt wrist
band. Her beau is coming back to
the city from Europe in September
and they arm to be married in Octo-
Der. She was sent out here to ge:
good rest, and sort of recruit up.
She's been up so of nights, at parties
and the like, all winter, the doctors
sad she'd be an invalid, like as not,
il she didn't take long rest. So she
came out here; and / must say she
has improved every day since she
came.
$50 she is to be married, is she p
said Amanda. with a queer feeling
of pleasure and pain at her heart she
could not define.
20. yes-to a Mr.. Landen-quite
an oldish man-and rich; and in
some Government business that took
him off to London for all summer.
Guess he thinks the world of Clare
Tut | fancy sometimes it's more re-
spect than love she gives him. But
no doubt they'll be very happy. You
are not going, are yon, Amanda?
You come in SO seldom. | think you
might make little longer stay. You
haven't been over for six weeks be-
fore.'
No; I'm always busy, you know.
| just ran over to see how you were
getting along. Left my bread in the
oven, and must go back
wonder if Hugh knows this she
unused, as she walked home. 'Well,
if he don't, it's time he did
She watched him keenly as be sat
at the tea.table that night. How
bright his eyes were how red his
lips; how like marble bis brow and
how abseLt minded he seemed
repeated her remarks twice and
thrice before he heard her.
After tea, he sat down by the
western window with a book; but
Amanda saw he was not reading
The sun set and the twilight fell, aud
still he had not spoken.
Amanda cleared her throat. 1t was
hard thing she was about to do
but it must be done. Better give
him a blow, than wait for another
hand to give him a stab.
Hugh | called on Mrs. Maxon
to day, while you were gone she
said
Did you,' said. Hugh, looking up,
with languid interest. ITS quite a
while since you were there before,
isn't it, Amanda?'
'Yes-quite q while-I'ye only
been in once stree her niece came.
She's very pretty girl, l thought
She saw his cheek flush slowly
through the gathering dusk as he
answered, She is a beautiful girl,
Amanda, and as sweet as beautiful. ;
Amanda clears her throat again.
Mrs. Maxon tells me she is to be
married in Octobsr. Very likely
you know all about it, though. 1t
seems strange to think 20 young and
beautiful girl will marry an old
man-her lover is quite old, Mrs.
Msxon says, but rich. I'm sure /