Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-01-26


ales 1 had conned upon winter even
ings arose before my mind, and
thonght Of the ogres and giants, who
all had black boards and a propensity
to devour little girls and carry young
ladies away by their long tresses. "What
hair Miss Linda had for that purpose
How a giant would rejoice in these
great golden waves" 1 thought; and
just then raising my eyes, they en-
countered, to my horror, the very per-
son of whom 1 had been dreaming
the tall man with the long black beard,
himself. uttered q scream of terror,
and the tall man put his hand on my
shoulder.
Don't be frightened, little one," he
said. "Fm very fond of little girls"
"Does he mean he likes TO eat
themY" thought; and 1 looked up
into his face, expecting to meet a sar-
donic ogre grin, but instead / encoun-
tered such a sweet smile that 1 gained
confidence in n moment, and stood
quietly beside him.
"Sit down here" said the stranger /;
II want TO talk to you. Look, here is
something NICE" and he drew a hand
ful of confectionery from his pocket.
Eat it while 1 talk to you"
l held my little pinafore to receive
the gift, and sat down, and the man
with the black beard sat down beside
me.
"How old are your" he said.
Just six years." answered.
"And where do you 60 to schoolT
"On the hill, at Miss Linda's."
"Have you a nice teacherp Do you
love herP" inquired the stranger.
Every much, sir" / answered.
And, to my great amaZement, the
gentleman with the dark beard covered
his face with his hands, and ejaculat-
ed
"God bless herl who could help it?
Do you think she is happy?" he went
on. Docs she smile and laugh, or
does she ever feel sadP Tell me, little
girl"
81 think Miss Linda is very happy"
| answered. 81 never saw her cry"
"The tall gentleman arose and paced
to and fro. and heard him mutter,-
Happy Is she happy? Ny self
ishness shall never break in upon her
quiet; will never arouse the sleeping
past to grieve the happy present"
The heart under my little pinafore
beat wildly with alarm, and my con-
fectionery was forgotten. In a few
moments he turned toward me.
"Good-by. little oneP' he said. "Run
home. now. and never tell your teacher
that have been talking about her; and
you would never do that, 1 feel Ger
tain"
gave ready promise, and ran JOY
fully away; and as the weeks passed
by and l saw no more of the gentleman
with the black beard, 1 sooz almost
forgot that such being existed. And
still "our minister" visited the school
and looked at the teacher, and still the
gossiping tongues of the village foretold
that Miss Linda would be the minis
ter's lady yet.
One day-a bright, cool afternoon it
was-Miss Linda and L were alone in
the school house. was practicing
scales on piano in the inner Toom-for
IL was the day on which 1 always took
my music lesson-and Miss Linda was
writing ut her desk in the outer room.
There was no sound save the monOtO-
nous "One. two, three" which 1 uttered,
until a quick step fell upon the grass
without, and, raising my eyes, 1 saw
the young minister pass the window
and enter the school-room.
He had scarcely done so, when an
other shadow fell upon my music-book,
and saw the tall gentleman with a
black beard glide after him and stand
motionless in this shadow of the school
house porch. 1 played on still, but
very softly, and my eyes were turned
toward the other room. The young
minister and Miss Linda stood in the
centre Of the apartment, and he was
speaking passionately. but softly.
Then he strove to clasp her hand in
his, but she drew 1t away and stood
further from him, nearer to the door
way. Then heard his veice-husky,
it was, and tremulous.
LINDA, dear LindaP' he said, ayou
can never tell how much love
you. You do wrong to doubt ne. NV
existence is worthless without your af-
fection. Do you deny me all hope
let me think, at least, that in time nv
deep love may win your own; that,
when you see how constant and de-
voted my heart is to you, you win
think well of that constancy, at least.
Many better and greater may WOO
you, Linda, but none can love more
truly"
could see great tears in her eyes as
she answered him.
do not misunderstood me, Mr.. Al
win. / do think well Of you. As a
sister may even say that love you
but other love than that Of a sister
Linda Harrington can never give to
living man. II have loved once. and
he to whom 1 was betrothed sleeps be-
meath the waves, or is a wanderer upon
the face Of the earth. Living or dead,
he Is lost to me forever; but q woman
gives her love but once, and mine is
his still, Mr.. ALVIN. Leave me, be-
seech you'll Time can never change
my feelings. and / am glad It cannot"
He took her hand and pressed it to
his lips. and In another moment he
was gone Miss Linda sank upon the
seat from which they had arisen; the
tears were trickling down her cheeks,
land her bosom rose and fen cOnvulsiye'