Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-06-07
CARLIN s IDIOT.

"Rqining again" said Clifton Du
rande. "WelI, might have expected
it this shiny, sh0wery weather"
The woods were al tender with the
tender, budding green Of the spring
foliage. Under foot crept the pink, per
fumed stars Of the trailing arbutus,
while in sheltered hooks, where mos5
enameled boulders kept or the keen
west wind, and the sunshine poured its
balmy gold, the yiolets were covering
the dead leaves with their dainty carpet
of blue embroidery.
Down ia the ravine a miniature water
fall kept up its musical plant; aud n
brown trout stream wound and twisted
among the roots of the trees 80 exquis-
itely transparent that one could see the
very stones and pebbles q; the bottom.
1t was q picturesque little glen enough
and Durande was considerably annoyed
at having to fold up his portfolio before
he had completed his sketch.
81 suppose il is good mile and n
half to the village inn, +" said he to HIM
self. | wonder II there ia farm house
nigh at hand where can fad tenn
porary shelter"
Even as he stood hesitating, and
watching the fall of the sparkling drops
against the background of purple black
clouds, the bowery screen Of branches
was parted and light figure came
down into the path a gold-haired,
deep-eyed girl of eighteen, with
brown calico dress, tiny linen frills at
neck and wrist, and carrying in her
hand a gypsy bonnet half filled with
wild flowers She paused and looked
gravely ut him. he lifted his hat with
native courtesy.
at is raining she said, gravely.
"You will get wet"
Unfortunately, yes" he responded.
"PeIhaps you can tell me Of some place
near by in which / can take sheltel?"
"There ia farmer Dakin's barn." said
the woodland apparition, "but it is on
the other side Of the river and the
roof leaks like and old sieve. And there
is our house just over the edge of the
hill. think you had better go to our
house"
"If you win kindly admit me there"
said Mr.. Durande. 81 am"
ooh, know who you art said the
girl, with Il little deprecatory motion Of
her hand, "and I'm very sorry for you
indeed, and please" with n lovely fiat
tering color coming and going in her
cheeks, ii should ike to be your friend
if you will allow mt?'
"With the greatest pleasure in the
world" said Mr.. Dursude, waxing more
and more bewildered.
Ggnh,,.
nymph floating gracefully on before,
the purple black clouds forming back
ground Tor her exquisite face and fig
IRE, and the trees weaving an arch
way
Clifton Durande was no contcmpti-
BILE pedestrian, but he soon found that
he was compelled to use every fort TO
keep up with the girl.
"Give me the country" he said to
himself, as he hurried ON. al this isn't
real, genuine hospitality, / don't know
what Is.
Across a patch of woodland, through
pasture field, where young lambs
were frisking, and mild-eyed cows lifted
their heads to watch them as they
passed, and up Il box edged garden
path, where golden j,cquins and
creamy clusters of naroissus grew in
fragrant luxuriancs.
81 do not know whom am TO thank
for this kindness" said Durande
IL am Matte vii EFT, =" said the girl,
with unconscious dignity. Are you
tired? Please take this cushioned
chair-it is easier than the other"
Clifton Durande looked round in a
sort of pleasant bewlierment. Flowers
were bossoming in the windows-pit k
primroses, sweet seeming geraniums,
and velvet petaled monthly roses; en-
cravings framed in pine cones and rus.
tic work, hung ON the walls A blue
ribboned guitar lay on the chintz COW
cred lounge, beside work basketiul
OF sweet feminine belongings.
"Am | IN the enchanted lsnd2' te
asked himself lis this modern ITO
pia, an Arcadia Of the nineteenth cen
tury, where wood uymphs lake pity
upon belated travellers, and all the
world Is hospitality How fortunate il
is that / came down To Glitter Falls to
sketch, instead Of going TO Mayden
Mountain. She is as beautiful rs a
dream; and now stately and gracious
her manner i-i'
And Mr., Darande, albait not a con-
ceited parsonage, began to comprehend
what real fame meant.
he looked at pretty Matte Willett
as she came into the room with 70 bowl
OF milk and some slices Of home-made
bread.
"You are an artist said he.
NO said she.
cat least you admire fine pictures,
with u glance at the walls.
"Yes.'
40 you draw or sketch he asked.
"0h, nc"