The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-11-17

Ready for what?" asked Miss Ludwick,

WOkl lHlNG
Ready for what?" asked Miss Ludwick,
with blush and silly laugh.
You've concluded not ts wait for the
chap that went away q few years ago, I
hear, and that young man coming to your
house every week don't mean anything, I
s'psse," said the old man, with an intelli-
gent smile.
Il don't see it," was the quick reply, as
she tossed her head and simpered.
Grant Burchard groaned.
Success to the young man who comes
every week." said Ralph Emery, fervently,
and you might as we'll say Amen Grant,
for think that last bit Of slang has cured
you"
Verify Grant Burchard was in an unenvia-
bic state of mind. He was like ono who
has reveled in delicious dream OF beau
tv, and awakes to q stern and wretched re-
ality. He was thinking it all over, as he
lounged with his friend upon the porch of
the country hotel, where he stopped for the
night, when his reverie was put to fight by
the fragrance of sweet briar a perfume that
always came OF him laden with sweet men,
cries.
The parlor was in shadow, but they
heard the floating sour d of woman's gar.
ments, ard sweet, low voice. chatting in-
telligently with m elderly gentleman. The
conversation was of sufficient leagth to
prove that this lady with the starry blos-
SONS Of sweet briar twined IN her hair was
a woman of original thought and rare cult
vation. The old man asked for music, and
tue lady swept the pian' keys with skilful
fingers, and filled the room with rare,
sweet melody. AS the list notes died away,
and the soft garments foated out, Grant
Burchard exclaimed:
MY Amy should have had voice like
thar"
Ralph Emery thought of the harsh and
discordant tones in the rail-car, and with a
smile that made his companion VINCE
quoted the slang phrase: Il don't see it, ;"
The next day, Grant Burchard and his
friend stood at the gate of the Ludwick
homestead. 1t was a fine old place, and
the garden Was pretty sight, with it's rare
and beautiful flowers arranged with ex,
quisite taste. Grant had thought of this
visit for years, when he should come alone
and claim Amy, but now he was glad to
bring his friend, that no mention might be
made Of claims. lady stood in the ear-
den path. She turned, and there was the
dark curls, brown eyes and ungraceful
manner of the travelling companion of the
previous day. Grant Bufchard stepped
forward.
"Good morning. Miss I4udwick."
1t was sadly cold and changed from the
fervent Amy" he had always called her in
his thoughts.
Good morning. sirs," responded the
harsh voice, while q scared look came inte
the brown eyes us she regarded the distin-
guished-looklng strangers. A minute more
and she exclaimed enthusiastically:
why, Grant Burchard, If it amt you!
How glad ami"
and poured forth a torrent of questions at
she led him into the house, and went to
call the family.
The gentlemen glanced about the parlor.
Everything was neat and beautiful. and the
careful disposition of books and furniture
betokened a cultivated taste. The piano
was open. and two pair of critical eyes noted
with surprise the difficult piece Of music
on the rack. The faint perfume of sweet
brier stealing in the open window filled the
room with delightful aroma; and Grant
Burchard smiled in spite of himself-this
cozy place WAS so like his imaginary home
for his ideal Amy.
A few minutes elapsed, and tho smile
was gone. His dream died when the curly
haired maiden entered the room, bringing
old MIR. Lndwick, who graspeu his hand
with cordial tenderness, and greeted him
in hearty tones of welcome.
"Well, Grant, do you think Amy looks
natural?" inquired Mr.. Ludwick, when
this ceremony was over.
"Miss Ludwick, your daughter, retains
some of her old looks" answered Grant
confasedly. "And yet I confess she does
seem changed"
For the better, Grant-eh2" said the old
man, gleefully. She las changed for the
better. Hasn't she Grant?"
Certainly" answered Grant, blushing
fearfully, as he put up mental petition to
be forgiven for lying.
And she loves the old man Just as well,"
continued Mr.. Ludwick, joyfully. How
lucky that you did not come before! She
only reached home this morning, by the
early train. What made her run away so
soon, Grant?"
your daughter is here" answered the
young man, pointing to the blushing face
encircled by the dark curls.
You don't mean to say, Grant, you
thought that was Amyw And the old man
burst into an uproarious shout of laughter.
That's Alice Ludwick, Amys cousin:
Don't you remember how much they looked
alike? Amy has changed more than she.
warrant she is in the bower. Let's sur
prise her..
Grant Burchard gave great sigh of re-
lief, and the whole party went into the gar
den. There was the eglantine bower care
iully kept; and even now fair woman with
a dress Of the pures. white was on a STEP
ladder pruning the over-hanging branches,
singing mean while in sweetest strains, Ever
of Thee I'm Fondly Dreaming
Ralph Emery listened and exclaimed:
ut il the voice we heard last night"
Grant Burchard stepped hastily forward.
ALI unconscious Amy continued her prun-
ing, only stopping when the gardener
spoke.
miss Amy, you had better let me do
that"
NO. no. John, she answered laughing.
ut frightens me to see you cut away those
beautiful branches. 1t gneves me to sever
q single t~ig. and you lop off great branch
es without pang Ut remorse."
"Well, Miss Amy, it is as say. Your
sweet ladyship is stingy of nothing but
''stingy, eh?" and Amy laughed merrily.
NO. John. not stingy, only economical
with something that always gave me pleas
are. No, come, take these branches"
Grant superseded John, and with extend !
ed arms received the weight of sweetbrier.
He did not move, and Amy said, without
looking:
hat will do, John, now qo!"
Still he moved not. She looked around
with surprise, and started at the tableanx-
a handsome stranger gazing at her with his
extended arms full of sweetbrier."
Il am waiting for the rest, waiting
for the little woman who used to tease and
tease until learned to call her Sweet
brier.''
She knew then, it was Grant, and with a
glad cry came bounding down the steps
and was received into his arms.
Amy Ludwick was a study that dav.
Grant Burchard watched her with loving
pride. There was nothing in her dress,
manner or conversation 10 Offend She
was an educated and cultivated woman. At
the close Of the day he said to his friend: