Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-05-18

and black braids breaking loose from
their pins in confusion outshining
Jets; while the guest, sitting composed
ly out upon the porch, had full time
and opportunity to comprehend the
entire situation.
81 seem to have arrived at an opPor-
tune season, said he to himself. Il am
sorry now that accepted good old DR..
Blooms cordially proffered hospitality.
But am rather too substantial to van
ish down into crack, and to real to float
up in puff of vapor, like the genii in
the ctiidren's story books, so l must
last remain here and abide until the
end of it. But I'm glad they aren't go
ing to make little Miss Barbara's
pigeons into fricassee.
Three minutes afterward, when little
Ben the youngest of tie family, rush.
ed whisting out with covered basket,
he was deity intercepted by the
stranger.
"Where are you going, young man 2"
questioned he, in q ow voice.
"To the Widow Millett's", said Ben
ny, with note"
Don't go there" said the stranger.
go across the woods to the hall,
instead-it is but few steps further
and give this card to the old house
keeper there. And bark ye, Tom
my"
Benny, sir, please, explained the
lad.
Benny, then-don't let your young
ladies know that you haven't obeyed
their orders. IN make it all right
with them, and here's silver dollar
for you"
Benny darted away, with his face all
smiles; and Just then up came the old
doctor himself, apologizing for having
been so long in finding the dusty old
volume which he carried under his
arm.
"But / always loose track of time
when get among the books, said he
Barbara had just come down stairs,
after hurried toilet, which had added
pink ribbon-bow to her dress and
cream olored rose to the heavy black
braids of her hair when she found
Lizette in the little dining-room.
Barbara, cried Lizette, 'just look
here Is it enchantment that has
been at work"
For upon the table was spread col
lation of cold boiled ham, sardines
glistenng with their fragrant oil,
chicken salad, iced sponged cake, white
grapes, and strawberries as large as
lady apples. On the floor two or three
long claret bottles protruded
from pail of powdered ice, and a
slender roll of French bread was cut in
slices on q napkin in the center of the
board, while half dozen pates de foie
gras, in their little metallic cans, stood
opposite.
Benny's big eyes, watching them from
behind the lilac bush that shaded the
window, grew preternaturally bright AS
he noted their amazement; and at the
same moment the doctor shuffled in,
all unconscious of his carpet slippers
and carelessly -buttoned dressing gown,
and ushered his guest into the presence
of his daughter.
"Here's Mr.. Dulcimer Lisette," said
he Barbara, little girl, here's our
neighbor, the young squire. Dulci-
mer let me present you to my girls
DlODuc dilu DIuflttit, as VIC SOllittlIiltS
call EN-, ha, ha, hal
And in the midst of their consterna-
ton and perplexity, Lisette and Bar
bara were obliged to assume the part
of gracious and undisturbed young
hostesses.
They all enjoyed their impromptu
lunch in spite of the mystery that sur
rounded it; and when Mr.. Dulcimer re-
turned to the hall, they all walked half
way through the woods with him.
do you know" Mr.. Dulcimer" said
Barbara, with sparkling eyes, 81 fanced
you a naughty aristocrat who wouldn't
notice his humble neighoors at ALP"
81 hope you are disabused of the idea
now" said the young squire, smiling.
ooh, entirely" said Lisette,
"And believe me-" said Mr.. Dull
elmer, holding Barbara's slim, brown
hand in his second or so longer than
was absolutely necessary, 81 should
never have forgiven myself if, through
any law of stern necessity, | had eaten
up your white doves in the shape of
fricassee."
And he disappeared in the woods,
leaving Barbara anu Lisette looking
with amazement into one another's
eyes.
"Lisettel" cried Barbara, breathless
ly, sis it possible that he could have
heard what we said ?"
"He certainly has" Llsette made
answer, with comic gesture of de-
SPAR.
And then Benny was called into the
wtness-box and made to own up that
the elegant luncheon came direct from
Dulcimer Hall, and things seemed
worse than ever.
1--WE are rightly punished, said
Barbara, bursting into tears, "for our
inhospitality. And | never-never
shall forgive either myself or Mr.. Duh
cimerw
But she did She forgave both the
criminals before the young moon, now
hanging over the hills like a thread of
silver, had wdened into its full shield
of luminous pearl.
$50 far so good,' said the young
Squire. "But may | not hope that