The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-09-03
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Two years have passed., and We meet
with Leonard Vincent, this time not in
the Old, but III New, England. The
school-year lis Just ut IN end, the sum-
mrr vacation is about to commence, and
to-day all the scholars are assembled to
show 10y an exhibition the results of their
own work and that of their teachers, of
whom our friend is one. The members
of the graduating class are in ali their
glory; the boys, us is usual with boys
on such occasions, well-dressed but awk-
ward; the girls resplendent i'll the COM
lnurd charms of nature and art,-a per-
feet bouquet Of rich buds just breaking
ing into the full blow of womanhood.
Let lis notice Minnie Warren, the young
lady whose place is ut the head
of this class. She is not tall,
but her figure is perfect III sym
metry; Minnie is grace itself, from the
little slipper with the blue bow which
now and then peeps from beneath the
muslin, to the simple but jalnty coil of
rich brown hair that sits on the back of
her head. The face, usually wreathcd
III the most attractive smiles, but now
Misunderstanding from n sense of being
regarded by the whole assembly, is not
handsome, but Is incontestably pretty
Her checks, perhaps II tiitle redGer than
on ordinary occasions, are soft and
smooth as the petals of u flower, and her
lips description tails. On Minnie all
eye, are fixed, and, among them, those
Of her teacher, Leonard Vincent; but
does not the CLEAN of JOY i'll the eyes of
the latter Indicate more than the iustif-
able pride of one who had helped to
make Minnie's mind rich in learning and
worthily corresponding to face so rich
in beauty?
What has time brought abont in the
two years that have passed? Leonard
Vincent never forgot his promise to
Laura, but for many weeks wrote regu-
lar and loving letters, to which his be-
trothed replied in lines that showed the
sincerity of her love and the nobility "
her nature. Then, all Mt once, she
ceased to write, and the cause was ex-
planned by letter which Leonard short
ly after received from his father, where
in il was stated, with much attempt ut
sympathy and Overstrain8d expressions
of regret, that Laura had been taken
sick OF fever suddenly, AMI very short
ly after had died.
Must it be confessed that Leonard ex-
peri"nced no keen sorrow ut this sudden
news? He was shocked; but he did not
experience II lovers grief. His nature
would never have allowed him to prove
false to Laura as long as he knew her liv-
ing i'll the constant hope of becoming
his wife; but absence and reflection had
80 far altered his feelings as to enable
/ L., a., ln,
The truth was that from the first his
love had contained far more Of mere
compassion and self-complacency than
he could imagine or would have been
willing to admit. Very soon after leav
ing England he had confessed to him.
self the wish that Laura had been in
tellectually more Of IL companion for
him. His soul was not great enough To
he contented with simple devotion in the
woman who was to he his wife, and his
imperfect sympathies required more
points of contact. Thus it was that very
soon after receiving the letter which told
him Of Laura's death he had consciously
proceeded to foster new attachment,
the seeds of which had already been
sowu. Without being handsome, or in
any sense a lady-killer, Vincent had yet,
for those who knew him well, decided
! ly pleasing appearance, which, joined to
Il lively and agreeable manner, consider
able powers, and the polish of culture,
made him decidedly pleasing and attrac-
tive. His cheerful equability of temper
had speedily resigned him to the lot his
father imposed upon him, and he had
very soon become decided favOrite
with the pupils, especially the young
ladies.
The exhibition was considered II great
success. The singing, the declama-
tons, recitatiOns were voted delightful
by the assembly of parents and friends.
At last all was over, the people were
dispensing, and Vincent was engaged in
making few last arrangements in his
own room, when there came knock ut
his door, and, without waiting for an in
vitatiOn, Miss Warren walked in.
"Well, Mr.. Vincent, are You satisfied
nOV
Decidedly, Miss Warren, and above
all, with you. You were charming"
Minnie appeared to take no notice Of
the compliment, but went on in hel
usual voluble manner.
"Oh, Mr.. Vincent, did You notice
Grace Wilson, how she spoke her piece ;
1t was just elegant"
"No doubt; but there was some one
else who spoke a piece; and she wiz
more than just elegant.
Minnie shook her head with pretty
air Of mock impotence.
How provoking you are! l really
don't wish for any compliments, 8; no
] was just going to call you sir, but
am not q school girl now, and I shan
call you sir any longer"
"Very well, Miss Warren; then in re