Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-12-08

worn the evening before, and it fitted
me as if had grown into it.
II don't think | am quite so ugly as
was last night" | thought. "But if Mr..
Midway don't like me, of course can
not help it."
| So | went down stairs, and Uncle
Blake stared at me over his spectacle
glasses.
mercy on us y cried Mrs. Jonas :;
what has the girl been doing to her
SELF"
Some one must have'changed her
off while she slept" said Barbara, run
ming up to me and giving me kiss.
Walter Mildmay said nothing; he
only drank his coffee.
How ! enjoyed the next fortnight!
The weather was beautiful and balmy
beyond all description. We had nut
ting expeditions and boating parties,
and long walks to gather brilliant au-
tumn leaves. AT night we sat around
the blazing logs, and, on the few rainy
days, Mrs. Jonas showed me how To
make butter, and Barbara took me up
into the great garnet, where there were
chests OF old relics, piles of books and
papers, and all the belongings of a
whole century of Blakes.
But all this time, Walter Midway
kept his quiet distance; and, TO save
my life. | could not tell whether he
still thought me 'stiff, ugly old maid
or not.
And then came the husking frolic.
| 4.l l.,x
| dies stuck in tin sconces, along the
sides--I had never seen so wild and TO-
mantle n sight. The neighborhood
gathered to the gala. Mrs. Jonas and
Barbara had been baking cake and
| buttering sandwiches all day, while
Uncle Blake had rolled barrel of
sparkling new cider close to the barn
door. Merry laughter sounded, bright
faces glanced to and fro in the Rem
brandtesgue light of the candles, while,
ever and anon, the tone of the flute
and fddle-turning up in the barn-loft
was plainly audible.
had been helping Mrs. Jones to put
the icing on the big fruit cake which
held the ring, and it was late when |
came into the big, sweet-smelling,
echoing barn, with my black cashmere
dress all sprinkled with cherry-red
bows, and cluster of deep-scarlet au-
tumn leaves in my hair.
"Here's Olga! T. cried by cousin
Jonas, cheerily. "Come here, little
Olga, and sit by me, and III give you
some ears to husk."
| laughed and nestled down into the
hay, close at his side; and just at this
moment a storm of merry, rustic
laughter rose on the air.
"The red ear the red ear !" they
cried in chorus, clapping their hands
and cheering vehemently. walter
Midway has got the red ear"
| looked up at Cousin Jonas in be-
wilderment.
What is red ear" said /.
Cousin Jonas laughed.
"What little greenhorn it isl" said
he. ''The red ear is"
"Just then Walter Midway came up
and stood before me, the rich maroon
colored ear of corn in his hand He
laid it down at my feet.
81 claim my privilege, Olga" he
said
/ looked up at him in amszement.
II don't understand you" said |.
The next moment he had stopped
over me, and, putting both hands light
ly on my shoulder, had imprinted a
kiss upon my antonished lips.
l sprang up, feeling myself glow
scarlet. rubbed my lips passionately
with my handkerchief, as if to wipe off
the insult.
Chow dare you ?" / cried. ooh, |
never will forgive you in the world
never never p
And then, half maddened by the
noisy laughter of the crowd, the din of
jubilant voices, | tore myself from
Jonas Blake's OBTAINING hand, and flew
out into the starry cold of the outer
air. Mrs. Jonas followed me.
"Olga," she cried, what is the mat
ter? Come back, child"
"He has insulted mel" | sobbed
"Insulted your" Oh, what nonsense,
Olga" said Mrs. Jonas, putting her arn
caressingly around my neck. "He has
paid you the highest compliment man
could pay woman. There's not girl
in the barn tonight but envies YOU,
child. Don't you know what the red
ears mean"
no" said /, looking up at her with
wondering eyes.
Mrs. Jonas laughed.
at means that the lucky finder
thereof is entitled to kiss the prettiest
girl in the room, said she. 1t has been
bis privilege from time immemorlal;
and i'll this case it means that Walter
Midway thinks that Olga Blake is the
prettiest girl Of all thst crowd of rustic
| beauties"
''Olga, you are not really angry with
me?"
1t was Mildmay's voice near me.
Mrs. Jonas made some EXPLANATIONS
about the cake she had promised tc
cut, and slipped away in The darkness
leaving us alone.
"Angry2" / repeated. eyes, | was
angry. But / didn't know-no one had
told me-"
about our rustic usages? But you
will forgive me, Olga?"
| r. 4 sio tt-1t or