The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-10-26


~ amazed when one evening, rs drew
near the little house which was nv TEN.
porary abiding place. a tall form strobe
toward me ont of the darkness and
hearty voice cried out:
Jim! Jim Hill!'
"What is it?' replied with half
nervous start.
"Ah! | thought il was my old friend.
Have You forgotten Tom Byrnc!'
Of course not for had met him occa.
sionally since we were boys, and l was
heartily glad to see nv former cOmrade,
always one of the best of companions.
Il saw your name on the book ut the
inn, he explained:. and was sure it must
he you. AT any rate thought would
tart out to meet YOU
''But how came you here?" | inquired,
lin this out of the way corner of the
world"
because it is out OF the way. Ma
bel and are making trip in search
of the picturesque. You know she is
quite an artist?'
So Mabel was with him. My heart
ment | could hardly make a sensible
reply.
Yes" he went on; "she is so devoted
to her art that it seems TO quite absorb
her life. She has not thought of mar
riage. and does not care in the least for
the ordinary run of society. She will
be glad TO see You. though" he added
consoGngly. ''as you are . man OF
science.
We walked back together to the little
inn. and presently was shaking hands
with beautiful and stately woman.
whose bright, dark eyes flashed with
the strange intensity and fire that had
never seen in any other eyes but those
of Mabel Byrne.
She greeted me very cordially. and
after we three had taken an evening
meal together there followed q delight.
ful evening in the little parlor that Tom
and his sister had secured.
For once i'm my life | felt myself
quite at ease in 4 lady's society. In the
first place there was Tom to keep me in
countenance by predominance of my
own sex in the company, then Mabel
did not expect me 10 talk of airy moth
ings, thar light foam of the social whirl-
pool which never vet had been able
10 skim. She spoke first OF my scientific
pursuits; she showed so much knowl-
edge of the subject that l really fonnd
myself talking with earnestness and en-
tnusiasm of the formation of the coun-
try, and especially OF the glacial system
aad the curious marks of its action
borne by the specimens had collected.
She, in turn. contributed To the even
ing's interest by telling me of her work,
and showing me her sketches. which
We're really of very high order OF
artistic merit. There was no school.
Girl weakness in her handling of the
brush, but a force and poetic thought
laat had won her already honorable
recognition in the world of art.
And you have never heard of Mabers
paintings until now?' asked Tom.
No | confessed. "You know l
have been quite absorbed in my special
studies"
"Yes. and you have not seen Mabel
Tor ever so long. have you?"
NO" replied. mot since that sum-
mer ten years ago. when was at my
grandmother
Jolly times VIC had. too" said Tom,
r"ilcclively. Remember that party at
Mrs. Edward s?''
A sudden rush of blood to my face
H:terlv confused ne. stammered a
r'Div. Nd Tom To- r"li"f won't on
with some ramnIIng "reminiscences. IL
was some seconds before dared to look
at Mabel. Surely she was blushing,
too.
The next morning we all went on a
trip up the slopes of the mountain.
Mabel in short, gray suit. alpine hat,
and stout boots: Tom carrying her
drawing materials. Thus we made this. !
and many another. delightful expedi-
ton.
Life took on now rOOrS for me. Thers
was radiance and miory about it that
had never Dreamed of mfo:,.. Every
day | found fresh reason for admiring
my beautiful companion. and our walks
through the deep valleys and up the
rough mountain sides were to me like
enchanted journeys through realm of
fairies. In this loveliest country in the
world, with this most glorious woman
by my side, | was. indeed. rs one trans-
figured by the light of the grand pas
sion that took possession of my soul.
At first l knew not what had bcfallen
me. thought only that my pleasure
in Mabers society sprang from simil- |
arity of tastes and pursuits. and the
charm of her conversation; hut gradu-
ally woke TO the overwhelming fact
that loved her with the one great love |
o.. my life. that seemed to me now TO
dare from the days OF long ago. to have
been always with me. and to stretch out
into the future to make II transcendent-
eddy glorious, or long despair.
And yet rs soon Us had learned my
secret, my former bashfulnesS came back |
upon me with tenfold intensity. aud |
found myself often embarrassed in her |
presence. while ut the thought Of tell
ing her my hearts story, though my
brain was sm.ttcn through with dazzlin.
delight at the dream Of successful WOO
ing, yet ! was so overwhelmed that
u.terance would. rs was sure, be IN
impOSsibiity.
Aud Mabel? Her eyes were very
kind to me. They turned to me with Il
softencd luster that thrilled me with
hope; and yet. if attempted even u
compliment, l blushed. iioundcrcd, and
was lost.
One evening we were talking of all
manner of subjects, grave and gay, and
so strayed to marriage in general, and
especially to the matrimonial lot of
some of our old friends.
you remember Boyd, don't you.
Hip" asked Tom.
Tall. bashful fellow, like mep"
added
yes" replied Tom. laughing. "He
married Miss Cutting, our former school
teacher. ! always thought she propos-
ed to him."
Sensible girlr' | exclaimed. u
think it is positively woman's