The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-05-18

The organ. grinder, having drank his oof-
fee, laborious'y lifted his instrument upon
bis back, and, supporting himself with
stout stick prepared to leave. Minna sprang
down the steps.
Il will open the gate for you," she said
kindly.
And as ne passed out, she slipped into
his hand bright silver quarter.
take this, please" she said, with q
blush.
He turned it over in his hand and hesitat-
ed. There was something strangely earn
from beneath the white bushy brows in the
swarthy face.
Did he guess the truth-that that silver
piece was the whole Of her present store OF
pocket-money?
As he passed out at the gate, she looked
up into his face with lovely expression Of
sympathy and kindness.
Good bye! I hope your little Blanca
will soon be with YOU" she said, gen.
tly.
He lifted his hat almost reverently.
God bless you. lady!"
Then, as she closed the gate, he tramped
slowly down the street, turned the next cor
ner, and entered the door of lawyers Of
fee.
Here, lightly swinging his instrument to
the ground, he threw of white wig and
beard. with corresponding pair Of bushy
eyebrows, washed away from his cheeks
some artificial tan and wrinkles, and drew
himself erect-a handsome, dark complex
toned young man Of four-and-twe
Agentleman, entering from the next room,
looked at him with questionable smile.
A~:~A A0~-
Both" was the moody answer.
What has happened? She did not dis
cover you and take mortal ofense, did
she?"
NO; and yet she might n ore easily have
discovered my identity than hers, under
the circumstances
What! in masquerade again."
"Oat of masquerade. Eaoush! I wor-
shipped goddess, and find her of clay
commonest clay"
"Ah, understand! You have found out
what l. who reside here and know some-
thing of the family, though seeing your in
fatuatiop, did not dare hint. You would
never have believed it. Did you see that
little darling Minna?"
BAT for that darling little Minne should
straightway lose all my faith in womankind.
See here!" he added, holding up bright
silver piece. II shall keep this as tails
man. to remind me that there is in reality
truth and goodness and unselfshness among
women"
MIR. Aylesbury did not go to Mrs. Dab
ney's masquerade party. Something had
few months after. he repeated his visit to
the Little town, people observed that bis at-
tentions seemed transferred from Mi 80
Gray to her younger sister.
In time it became known that they were
engaged; and while some wondered low he
could have relinquish ID that splendid Ada,
whom he could certainly have won for tho
| asking, there were others who said he had
made a wiser choice.
Neither of the girls understood the mat
ter until one day, some time after his mar
rage, MI, Aylesbury showed to the sweet
young wife seated upon his knee q bright
| n :w coin.
well, said she, what of it? Does any
| special interest attach to it beyond its pecu-
| mary value?"
Certainly there does! Why, it is tails
man which has brought me what prize
beyond all else on eafth."
and what can that be?"
Yourself of course. you little ignO.
| ramus! Do you remember when you gave
this to IN cid Italian organgrindsr at VOL
| garden gate?
She colored.
How do you konw?"
"How? Why, because was myself thu,
| ancient musiclsn."
"You Philip" with big eyes, and the
color deepening over neck and cheek.
He laughed, and then he told her all about
! it.
Il took your gift. darling, but gave you a
| full exchange. In that moment, do be-
lieye. my heart went out to you as it had
| never done to any other woman
She hid her face on his shoulder. A mo:
ment after she looked up with half fearful
eyes.
Dear, promise me one thing-that you
! will never let Ada know"
Certainly not! She would never forgive
! that innocent little masquerade, even
hough it was she who defed me to deceive
her bv any disguise I choose to assume.
No, she shall never suspect that the poor,
ragged old organ grinder, to whom she re-
fused penny was Sir Walter r leigh; and
| on my part, shall try, for your sake, to
think that, il was not 1nyexquisite Lady OF
| the Lake whom I that morning beheld in
slatternly dress, rude to her mother, selfish
to"
But here Minna placed her hand over his
lips, and he stopped speaking to kiss it.