Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-12-03

up courage and settle the matter, so
that his dreams might be savored with
sober certainty. He knew that no
great Obstacles lay in his way. His
folks were willing, and So were hers;
there WAS nobody to say but Kitty her
self, and he wasn't much afraid of that.
And il he'd only gone there and then
asked Kitty all nigh; have been we'll;
but he must needs 90 homo and don
his Sunday -go-to-meetin clothes for
the occasion, which took half the heart
out q. las resolve, and in the mean
while a long limhed horse WAS making
quick work Of the road that led 10
kitty'S door and man who was easy
in his sunday clothes every day in the
week WAS bent upon the same decision.
The still collar raSped loe'S neck as he
went slowly to the village; his coat was
too tight in the sleeves; he grew rcddsr
and rcdder, till he knew that the doom-
ed Thanksgiving turkey gohhler'S comb
was nothing to him; the
perSpiration rolled from his
honest rubicund face, and he be-
gan To wish he'd find Kitty out when he
got there; he could talk to her mother,
and she could talk To Kitty, and it
would come kind Of easier somehow
And suddenly he stepped aside; there
MAS rush OF wheels i'll his ears, high
yellow wheels. and vision of some
body mailing him politely, somebody
with an easy way of wearing good
clothes, and something about him that
would have persuaded Joe to take of
his hat to him if he hadn't been too
mad and clustered and curious and
afraid. Joe went moodily on, and sud
denly his scarlet face grew pale and the
blood iii his veins grew cold, when be-
fore kittys door he saw the high
wheeled newly mended wagon of the
city fellow he had driven to the rail
road the other night, and his long
limhcd and newly-shod horse paving
the ground before kitty'S gate; and
presently ont came Kitty herself.
Shawled and hooded, her eyes spark,
ling, her chccks glowing, and beside hor
was the stranger, who nodded pleas.
antly to Joe. Kitty nodded kindly too.
he thought, and il seemed 70 him Mrs.
Benson called him to come in Joe
wouldn't hc certain about these things.
His head whirled around as Kitty drove
away: it seemed to him the whole
world took somcrsault and left him
sick and sore, so that he could just get
strength TO crawl home to the farm,
and dotl his Sunday clothes, throw
them III heap on the bed, himself
upon them, and there lie through the
long October afternoon, the prey to n
misery he had never dreamed of.
The sun went down, the fowls went
to roost, and an old hoary owl that
might have had more heart laughed
mockingly ut Joe through his bedroom
window. And then Joe, who dawdled
so over the asking for IL sweetheart,
made up his mind Quickley enough to
more ruehl work for that very night
when he went down to supper, and
never ate mouthful, he declared to
the good TALKS assembled there that he
intended TO go out west to settle he
was sick of the land hereabouts.
Nv hat the plaques the matter with
the land?' said his father. Its the
same ms twas yesterday, and then you
talked of ploughm up the meadow
next spring, and drainin the gully,
and the lord knows what and NIL
What's come 10 you now, Joe 2"
The weary days went ON, each of
them heavier and more desolnte. In
fair weather or foul, Joe walked and
wandered. aimlcss, listless and forlorn,
choosing the most desolote place shun-
nng and forbidding all companionship
Of man and beast
1t WAS well on in November, and the
landscape was somewhat scrc and worn.
The day was waning, and 1t seemed to
Mr.. Morton rs they drove along that
the warmth had all fled from the scene
around them and nestled in kitty's
hair. There was u subdued and timid
expression i'll her face that lent il an
unusual charm. The curves about her
mouth dropped like those of an ny.
grieved child, and she had not spoken
word for the last mile or two. Mr..
Morton could hesitate no longer. II
would be al easy thing, he thought, to
wear away the usual exubcrant gaycty
that detractcd from Ktty's present
charm Of manner. With Just one little
sigh for poor Madeline Van Nlect, he
shifted the roins to one hand, and with
the other took from his vest pocket a
ring. a yellow beam Of setting sun
caught the gem, and il suddenly shot
like star kitty's eyes began 70 glis.
ten IN unson, but she drew back as he
caught her hand
Nay, darling" he said tenderly, do
not tremble, it is yours. You know
that love You; you will be my little
wife"
But in the meanwhile the long-limbed
animal, which had been somewhat rest
i've, and required the two hands Of his
driver, took advantage Of this little by
play and accelerated his speed Mr..
Morton had not time to put the ring
upon kltty's resisting finger, when he
found his horse pulling heavily upon
the reins He determined 70 sell this
needless brute Of his. The thought
lay heavily upon his now ardent sensi.
bilities that this sweet girl by his side
he had never held to his heart, nor had
her sweet lips been given IA his own,
and now the moment was gone, and
the 10y was still denied him far the