Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-09-14

and ENJOY the advantages or fresh air,
new milk, and berries. Agnes Austin
had smiled to herself as she wrote the
letter. thinking how soon the belle
would tire of the old red farmhouse.
Tea in the kitchen was new expert
ence to Leila She watched the amount
Of homemade new bread and tea that
| so rapidly disappeared with astonish-
meut. She drank, fresh creamy milk,
ate fresh Strawberries, and admired the
red flush that came and went so rapidly
on Daisy's round cheeks, She retired
early, and rose next morning when she
heard the first stir in the house. On
consulting her watch. she was surprised
to find the hour was five.
Dear me, what shall do till break
fast time?' she said to herself. "Tll
take q book out and sit down beside
pile of hay"
The wish was hardly formed when il
was carried out. Seated by her hay,
book in hand, she watched the chang
ing colorS on the dew-drops, the SHIFT
ing lights among the birch-trees, and
the clouds passing out of sight before
tn ardent gaze of the sun.
A manly footstep reused her from her
reverie. A tall dark man stood before
| her, dressed in a loosely fitting suit Of
grey, with soft felt hat pulled over his
! grave brown eyes; and book in his
hand also.
"Have | taken your seat?" enquired
Leila. preparing to rise.
YES and no. | sit there at this hour
usually, but the seat is not NINE
well, YOU may have it if you like |
think | VIII 90 and walk through that
| grove"
"Indced | viii not occupy the spot if
I drive you from it. Is there not room
for both of us?'
LEILA did not know what to say or do.
She wondered if this was Mr.. Parker
her hoSt-but no, if that was the case
she certainly would have met him at
supper the night before Perhaps the
Parkers had a grown-up son, This man
appeared to be about twenty-four years
of age, and somehow he had not the
look of a rustic
She stole n glance ut his book. 1t
was medical work. He waSyery quiet,
and Leila studied his face for some time
"A very good face she thought tres
olute, and perhaps little stern.
Suddenly he looked up and caught
her regarding him steadily, smiled
slightly as She looked abashed. and be-
gan TO talk-how well he talked. Speak
ing on all sorts of subjects-he had tray
elled, and before she was aware of it,,
had drawn from Leila an account of her
one visit abroad.
sIt &c braaIFaut finn - cold tho
stranger. rising and Offering his hand
to assist Leila to do likewise. II sup
pose You are staying at Parker's?'
YES
q heard Daisy say they expected a
friend OF Miss Austin to spend the sum-
mer."
He YVES one of the family then, but no.
for when he entered, Mrs Parker hailed
him with a friendly Good morning,
Mr.. Studley"
They took their places at the table
and the conversation became general.
Mr.. Studley could talk as well to the
farm people rs he had done to her, and
was as well posted on other topics rs on
travel. Without his hat he was finer
looking than with it. An earnest,
thoughtful face, wonderfully attractive
TO Leila, who was thoroughly tired OF
society young men.
Days passed and Leila did not tire Of
the red farmhouse. She did not study
much, however, though she had inform
ed Frank Studley that she was prepar-
ing for the profession of a teacher. How
her cheeks burned when she thought she
had told a falsehood.
Four weeks since Leila arrived ut the
farmhouse, and she still fingered, though
shereceived letters almost every day from
Mrs. Malcolm, urging her to Join her
many friends at the seaside,
Il wonder why l like to remain
here" she said 10 herself, glancing over
one of these epiStlcs at the table, where
the family were assembled to break
fast.
"Wcll, Mrs. Parker, must leave you
on Monday"
Frank Studley was the speaker. A
pang shot through Lela's heart; the
words seemed an answer to her unspoken
question.
"Yes-dear me, how the time flies
yes, | suppose YOU must. Well, this is
your last examination, amt it?n
les. W men you see me a"aln | shall
be a full-blown NJ. D." he returned
laughingly.
The next day was Sunday and Leila
attended church. She was simply dress
ed, as indeed she had been during her
whole stay. In the afternoon she wrote
some letters, and in the evening went
to church again, accompanied by all the
Parker family.
She had not seen Mr.. Studley during
the whole day and felt delicacy about
enquiring for him.
Daisy walked beside Leila, and after
about half the distance to the church
had been accomplished, began Of her
own accord to give her fuller informa-
ton about their other estthan she had
ever had before.
He had spend four summers with
them ic was studying medicine nm
der great difficulties, for he was very
poor She believed that he was engaged
to be married to Miss Austin.
How cold Leila grew when she heard