The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-01-05

Miss Markham was slight, and fair and
delicate, with big blue eyes, which looked
at you with the soft, wondering innocence
OF o child, skin smooth and pink as an OLE
ander petal, and profusIon Of fair, glossy
curls ripping like q golden cataract over
her shoulders.
Her dress was very plaiu-a dark brown
spotless linen. a bow Of blue ribbon at her
throat, and bonnet of fine straw, trimmed
with blue ribbon also.
You could buy it all for Eve dollars"
thought Rosa, scornfully, as she gave her
own green and gold changeable silk a rustic
and glanced at the broad gold bracelets that
she wore.
''Why, Mabel, my darling, is it youf"
Mrs. Wylie had entered ct that mo-
ment.
Mrs. Wylie was the rector's wife, q
bustling genial ittlo matron, Of forty or So
and was hugging and kissing Mabel Mark
ham with enDressement.
Glow very fortunate that I should have
met you here, my dear, and how we'll YOU
lookl All, teaching agrees with you, I see!
And how is your sick friend, Miss Clare
month"
''she is better, Mrs Wylie."
rs she? en- sure I am delighted to
hear it, for"
Here the chipping little lady broke off
abruptly, for she had just caught sight of
Rosa, still glancing over the worn backs of
the well-read volumes, and yawning behind
her French kid-gloved hands.
She mn up to her at once.
"Rose Vernon, you here, too? Why. Won
ne the very person I wanted too see! Come
and let ne introduce you to my friend,
Miss Markham"
She laid her hand lightly on Rosa's arm
rs she spoke, but Miss Vernon drew back,
little haughtily.
Excuse me, Mrs. Wyl,e, but have no
anxiety to become acquainted with school
teacher"
Mrs. Wylie looked bewildered.
But, my dear, you do not understand
II do understand all that care to, Mrs.
Wyie-you will please excuse me from the
introduction"
As she drew coldly back she saw with in
ternal satisfaction that Miss Markham from
her position at the counter beyond had
doubtless heard the whole conversation.
For the crimson current had overspread the
oval cheek turned toward them, and Mables
head dropped an instant.
"Oh, dear!" cried Mrs. Wylie, in evident
CONSERVATION, Il do hope she hasn't heard
us!-
1T is quite matter OF Indifference to me,
whether she has or mott" said Rosa. She
is only school teacher"
Mrs. Wylie turned away, hurt and dis
appointed. and Rosa swept out of the store.
Mable. dearest, you won't mind petu-
liant childs ill-bred criticism?" she pleaded,
coming close to Miss Markham, and pos
sessing herself Of one slender hand.
mo, Mrs. Wylie."
And you will come home to tea with
me?"
But Mabel declined-she had pressing
engagement, she said. Whether that en-
gagement had anything to do with Mr.. Bob
Vernon We don't pretend to say, but GER
tain it was that she walked in the moon
light with him that night, under the pop
lars in front of the gray old MCPHERSON
mansion, until the village town clock
Ohimed oleveni
And the next morning Bob proclaimed to
the astonished ears of the family group,
gathered around the breakfast table, that
he was engaged!
"Bobl Engaged And to whom!"
ITO Miss Mable Markham
Rosa uttered little breathless scream Of
dismay.
ITO Mable Markham! Oh, Bob, you
reckless, imprudent fellow-just when Ma
jor Taliaferro's neice was coming to reside
In the place, and they say she is lovely!"
she cannot be more lovely than my Ma
bel, and do not choose to submit to the
imputation Of being fortune-hunter.
, wife's, too. You will call on my jaancee,
Rosa, won't you"
II will never speak to her"
then You can let it Alone" said Robert
Vernon, flushing a little; "orly did not
know you were such fool Rosa"
An5 80 the matter rested for few days.
"A party at the Taliaferros' tents
on the lawn and band of music from New
York! Oh, how splendid" calculated Miss
Rosa Vernon, dancing about the parlor
floor with the note Of invitation in her hand.
$50 the family have really arrived at the
plaoe-and you got me the invitation from
Harry Leslie! So kind nd; Of you'll And will
Yes, she Will be there"
Have you ever seen hefS"
Yes, often"
"Oh. I do 30 long to sec her! I must
send to the city for new white grenadine
dress, and wreath Of pink gersniums-.
roses are so common!
And Rosa sat down ct once to write the
note to her dressmaksr. ~ n,,, :,
]oftily.
why shouldn't go2" demanded Bob,
dedantly cycling his sister.
because your 17ancee went be there.
Don't be too sure OF that.
Il am sure of it; who would invite dis
trict school-teacher? And the Talixferros
are so exclusive and aristocratic, too"
mabel will be there, said Bob. briefly;
but that was all he could be induced to say
for the qualification Of his sisters curiosity.
The evening Of the much talked OF party
apally arrived With Q full moor, and the