Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-11-17
Ready for what?" asked Miss Ludwick,
with blush and silly laugh.

Will u Dlusu duu silly NhuSu.
You We concluded not to wait for the
chap that went away a few years ago, l
hear, and that young man coming to your
spsse," 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"
y
Verify Grant Burchard was in an unenvia-
BILE state of mind. He was like one who
has reveled in delicious dream of beau
tv, and awakes to a 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 flight by
the fragrance of sweet briar, a perfume that
always came OF him laden with sweet mem
cries.
The parlor was in shadow, but they
heard the floating sour of woman's gar
ments, ard a sweet, low voice, chatting in
telligently with an elderly gentleman. The
prove that this lady with the starry bios
SONS of sweet briar twined IN her hair was
woman of original thought and rare culti-
| vation. The old man asked for music, and
the lady swept the piano keys with skilful
fingers, and filled the room with rare,
sweet melody. As the last notes died away
and the soft garments hoated out, Grant
Burchard exclaimed:
My Amy should have had a voice like
that
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 fine old place, and
the garden was pretty sight, with its 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. A lady stood in the gar
den path. She turned, and there was the
dark curls, brown eyes and ungraceful
manner of the travelling companion of the
previous day. Grant Burchard stepped
forward.
UOOO morning. MISS lIuOW1ck.
1t was sadly cold and changed from the
fervent Amy" he had always called her in
his th ,ughts.
Good morning, sirs," responded the
harsh voice, while a scared look came inte
the brown eyes as she regarded the distin-
guished- looking strangers. A minute more
and she exclaimed enthuS uSiastically:
"Why, Grant Burchard, if it amt you!
How glad ami"
And she gave him hearty hand shake,
and poured forth torrent of questions as
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
betokeIed 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 sealing in the open window filled the
room with delightful arena; and Grant
Burchard smiled in spite of himself-this
c'zy place was so like his imaginary home
for his ideal Amy.
A few minutes elapsed, and the smile
was gone. His dream died when the curly
haired maiden entered the room, bringing
| old MIR. Ludwick, who graspeu his hand
with a 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
confusedly. "And yet confess she does
seem changed"
For the better, Grant-eh?' 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 we'll. ~
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 Amy?" And the old man
burst into an uproarIous shout of laughter.
That's Alice Ludwick, Amy's 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 tine whole party went into the gar
den. There was the eglantine bower care
fully kept; and even now fair woman with
! dress of the purest white was on a STEP
ladder pruning the over hanging branches,
| singing meanwhile in sweetest strains, Ever
of Thee I'm Fondly Dreaming"
Ralph Emery listened and exclaimed:
1~,4
Grant Burchard stepped hastily forward.
ing, only stopping when the gardener
| spoke.
Miss Amy, you had better let me do
| that"
"No, no, John, :" she answered laughing.
at frightens me to see you cut away those
beautiful branches. 1t gr1eves me to sever
a single twig, and you lop off great branch
es without pang Of remorse.'
| "Well, Miss Amy, it is as say. Your
sweet ladyship is stingy of nothing but
sweetbrier"
"Stingy, eh?" and Amy laughed merrily
mo, John, not stingy, only economical
with something that always gave me pleas
ure. 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:
THAT will do, John, now go!'
Still he moved not. She looked around
with surprise, and started at the tableaux-
q handsome stranger gazing at her with his
extended arms full of sweetbrier."
II am waiting for the rest, Amy waiting
for the little woman who used to tease ant
tease until I learned to call hex Sweet.
brier.
She knew then, it was Grant, and with
glad cry came bounding down the steps
and was received into his arms.
Amy Ludwick was study that dav
Grant Burchard watched her with loving
pride. There was nothing in her dress
manner or conversation 10 offend. Sh'
was an educated and cultivated woman. A
the close of the day he said to his friend:
Emery, you have lost your wager. Wa
/ not wise to cling to my old love?"
BE generous, now, and don't cling an.
longer, replied Ralph Emery. II will tr.
to compensate her for her loss.
Grant Burckard's black eyes twinkle
as he answered:
Pardon me; but in the language Of an