River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-05-25
WINDMILL GRANGE.

cedSlngly, uOF6u ny tilO loAa1OoN "a 90
Of breeze. 1t was fanciful and quite
useless modern affair made gay witt
patriotic coloring of red, white anc
blue, very different from its old fash
toned and ugly predecessor. For II
the day Windmill Grange was almost
wilderness, the hill upon which the
house stood and the valley below were
covered with forests through which the
wild deer gamboled, the bears roamedi
and the wolves howled; and as there
was no place for obtaining provisions
near, the ungainly windmill which gave
the farm its name had been wont te
grind corn for food.
The sight that met the eye OF Russel
North, however, as he rode leisurely
along the road which wound at the
foot of the hill was anything but the
wild one we have pictured. He saw a
handsome country seat set upon hign
hill, the southern exposure OF whlch
was divided into smooth sloping fields
upon which the grass and grain were
waving. The house -gabled, pictures
que and ambling-fronted the south.
10 the westward trailed an arm of the
forest to protect the house from the
fierce wind. Toward the east, but
standing little way from the house to
avoid the shelter of the trees, toward
the windmill, the breeze which twlrled
il so constantly stopping to rock In the
graceful bows of venerable elm, and
to sigh a moment through a pine tree
ere It came to toss the arms of the mill.
A sharp curve in the road-for 1t was
III ,oxco-haf hrOIIohf RngSplI
near the windmill, and he now saw
that between the windmill and the
house stood a rustic well, and, stand
ing near by it, yet half beneath the
windmilPs shelteriDg arms, stood q
pretty pink and white face, which was
shaded with something which appear
ed more ike frown than the trace of
sorrow, though she was attlred In
deep mourning. He studied the face
as he rode slowly near; it was neither
strong looking nor noble in expression
or mold, yet it was undeniably pretty,
and it interested him greatly, partly
from the fact that it was the first grace
full wonan's face he had seen for some
DAYS past. He had been out on hunt
ing and fishing excursion with some
gentlemen friends in the vicinity, and,
though he had enjoyed it, he was grow
ing a little tired; and, to-day, being out
on foragiBg expedition and to get the
mail from the neighboring village, the
home.like air of the Grange, and the
woman's face were both attractive,
since they contrasted so strong y with
the scenes of the past few days.
He had been riding far, and was
tired and thirsty-why not ask for a
draught of water? and refining up his
horse, he lifted up his hat and adj
dressed her.
az beg your pardon, but l am a
stranger and have ridden for some dis
lance through the wood. | am very
thirsty: may trouble you for drink
of water?"
Certainly" she answered, the frown
disappearing, and smile dimpling her
face instead. "Please. come into the
house and will see that you have
other refreshments"
Thanks" he answered, the thought
of eating and drinking in this pictur-
esaue spot-at table, too, after the
past two weeks of roughing twas a
temptation too strong to be withstood.
al only fear | should trouble you in
doing So"
son the contrary, if is great relief
to see a strange face occasionally, and
If you accept my invitation, l shall be
your debtor, for the loneliness of the
place is terrible to me-"
"You are alone, them" glanced at
her mourning dress as he dismouuted
from the horse"
"Quite so except for the company of
a maiden aunt. | have recently lost
my parents, sir"
"Indeed2" in surprised and SYM
pathetic tone, as though it caused him
the deepest sorrow.
She was leading the way to the house,
Russell walked beside her, and as they
nesred it he secured his horse and then
Daused a moment to look upon the
beautiful scenery which surrounded
the house on every side-of lake, hill,
valley, forest and plan-the wind waves
in the grain and the cloud shadows
over making a panorama grateful to
the sight. He turned into the house
without further remark, and was pre-
scented to mild-looking, but rather
grave middle-aged lady, as a traveller
who was stopping for an hours rest.
Refreshments were Immediately FORTH
coming, and through this aunt Russell
learned that the young girls name was
Rachel Sidney; she had but one broth
ar. who was only content with rowing
over the world. 1t was strange, the
old lady said, for the elder Sidneys
were quiet and content to live at Wind
mill Grange for a century, ever since
the land was new, but both Rachel and
her brother heartily disliked the place,
having no pride in keeping it as the
homestead of the Sidney family. The
brother has been provided for in other
WAYS, but the Grange was RachePs
norton. 1t was 8 goodly place, but
she was determined to sell it, for then
abe would remove at once to q neigh
boring city.
The neare st station was the Grange
and it would be Just the thing for q
country residence for some city gentle
man who had large family of child
rem and the means to buy the place
Did Mr.. North-for Russell had long
ere this presented his card-know Of
any such?
The thought struck Russell that the
autumn was scarcely the time of year
for purchasing a country residence and
il would, in all probability, be some time
before a purchaser could be found who
would be willing to pay what the place
was really worth. {,
II don't know of any one" he said
"but will bear the thing in mind wher
l return to the city, and if L can be o
any service to you in the matter Ishal
be most happy to render it.
"Oh, if you only would" exclaimed
Rachel, in a beseeching tone. "Hov
much longer do you remain in thu
country, Mr.. North p
"a week" he said, lifting his eye
to sean once more the young girls face
and figure. 81, however, am CROWN!
rather tired of this diversion. car
not tell you how grateful to me ma
been this home like meal, after days o