Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-09-21

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where they came from, was a deem and absorb
ms mystery. That their advent was connected
with inc death Of the Stranger was not q the
orytWnlchI occurred to many Of the citizens
Qna OF the leading expressions put forward BY
those who conversed uDon the subject was the
proposition that Chambers supposititious wifein
the States-an appendage which was attsched
10 q greater or less degree to the main bulk of
the population OF that salubrious loca!ity-had
forwarded her children to be cared for by their
legitimate protector. But Whatever Squatters'
dnich may have thought or expressed upon the
subject, Squasters' Guloh did not carry its
curiosity extensively near to Chambers, or his
cabin on the hill
Meanwhile, in the cabin itself, there were
some odd Developments. The new residents
mad quietly esticated themselves with that
attiuent confidence which is the distinguishing
trait OF that migratory childhood Of the West,
which, being cast this way aud that by the
changes which constantly occur In new coun-
tries, readily accus'oms itself to fresh sur
ronndings. One night, sitting before the fire,
With his short clay pipe in his mouth, and the
children on the floor at his feet, dreamily re-
garding the GOALS, Chambers broke the silence
isis said he, 81 don't want to pry into no
family secrets Of yourn, cos it amt none Of my
business perticklerly, but at the same time, it
amt reasonable fer me to go on always -caIlin'
of ye Sis aud the young chap 'Bub'"
young girl 'My names Lucy Bryton And
his'n,' pointing to the boy, ''hisn is Robert
His tother name amt like mine though,
cause he's only 'dopted brother His pane
is hbun-Robert Rathbun. Hello! What's
up, Mr.. Tom?"
'Nothin'," replied Chambers, whose face had
suddenly become rigid. ''On'y drapped my
pipe, that's all. Go to bed, youngsters want
TO th natier Af Rdb9 Up bit What became of
''Dead, sir. Drowned iii the Missouri over
flow. haven't seen her since l was baby"
When they were gone, and for hours after
ward, Gland1rs sat looking gtoouaiiy into the
fire.
'SPore gal,' he muttered, after long. time.
''Ef matters had come out % leeslo different
that would hev bin my boy Mine. Well
what's to hinder now?"
Having by some acute mental process con-
WINGED himself that nothing was to hinder,
Chambers Went thoughtful!y to bed.
The soft autumn days, gilded by the clear
and genial Colorado sun, meltsd slowly away
into the crisp and yestal winter. Then cams
the budding spring, tho lazy summer, and the
blushlng autumn again. So the weeks glided
into months, and the months closed iuto years,
until Squatters' Gulch. ashamed of its rough
and unconth name Of other days, adopted the
more exalted title Of Clarion City. There were
other changes, TOO, in the general atmosphere
surrounding the place The rough and soms-
what uncouth dwellings which formerly cov-
cred the steep sides of the ravine had almost
entirely disappeared, and thoir places were
filled with more slightly cottages The bust
ness part of the town had grown common
surately with the other portions of Clarion City,
and the place presented altogether slightly
appearances, cozily tucked away among the
pine-clad foothills.
In tasteful cottage, far toward the outer
edge of the settlement, lived Mr.. Thomas Clan
doris and the members of his family, who have
heretofore boon described in this veracious
narrative. 1t was a pretty place, and it was
marked here and there by the unmistakable
traces of woman's presence. Neat curtains
hung in the windows a hammock swung on the
veranda and trailing vine grew up over the
door, One night, as the sun was climbing
down across the western sky, the veranda was
occupied by two young people. A strong,
hearty young man was swinging in the ham,
mock, while sitting beside HIM, idly moving
the network backward and forward, was a 1.-the
and graceful girl. She was blushing deeply,
but not hanging her head. There was, indeed,
in her large blue eyes look Of open frankness,
which I do not think is often found about the
faces of young women when they are discuss
ing the subject which was at that moment &C.
cupying her attention.
There is something which seems almost
like sacrilege about it, Robert" she said, with
touch OF remonstrance in her voice. 81 had
grown to think you my brother IN reality, as
we'll as by asso ciation'
So" His voice Was deep and not unmusical to
the ear. And it had about it, in the line of
pleading, persuasive tenderness which, I
fear, more than one Of the fiuttering damsels
Of the Guch had found it difficult to resist.
But Miss Lucy was not of the common sort,
and she did not heedlessly assent to tho prop
osition advanced.
"What,'' she asked presently, "would he
thinks"
1t was apparent that the young man did not
require a. more definite descriptive term to
understand who WAS referred to.
she would scarcely object Lucy You
know he loves both of US very dearly, and his
greatest happiness would be in making US
happy"
f'True," replied Miss Lucy, thoughtfully
ssBut Tiff he would rather we did not seek
this kind Of happiness, Robert-you know we
owe him a very great deal Our home our
rescue from an existence that would have left
us both more to be pitied than if we were
dead, our education-alA were given us by him.
We can scarcely do anything that may bring
The young man in the hammock was silent
for q moment
*'Tell me,' he said, in little while, ttwhy
You suppose there is any danger that he will
object"
Miss Lucy's face assumed deeper scarlet.
t1-I-well, nothing It is probably my
imagination"
evil you ask him?"
Another pause Then, in a low voice: eyes T
will ask him tonight, if he does not speak first
If he consents Robert, will do all that you
have asked"
..Thst's dear. sweet Lucy" exclaimed
Robert, springng to his feet and kissing her
lips eve shall be very happy"
As he strolled down the bill, Miss Lucy's
eyes followed his retreat,ng figure sadly
When he was gone she drew long and slight
ly trennulous breath, and laid her head against
tho post She still sat thus, with her eyes bent
upon the ground, when heavy football
aroused her attention. Mr. Thomas Glanders,
returning from his Office at the mouth of the
Giant mine. Not quite the Thomas Chambers
we have known heretofore. His eyes were Sc.
renar now than Of old, and his tread had not
that element Of hesitation which formerly
marked it. Thomas Chambers, mine owner and
operator, with a pretty home, and the benefits
of soicitous female society, was rather inclined
to be an ornament to his sex, although there
were moments, l must relate, when he did not
occupy similar relation to the English Ian
guago.
''Good evenin', Lucy" he said, kindly, 80 he
drew q chair up to her side and seated himself
his knees II met Robert as ! came up the
hill. fine boy, that. Lucy. I'm as proud of
him as if I had been his father"
A moment of silence, during which Miss
Lucy breathed q tribe quickly. One hand lay
unemployed in her lap. Chambers picked it up
white so lovely, in his great palm, that he
speedily covered it up by drawing his brown
fingers about it,
SITS q winter hand" he began slowly and re-
fectingly, Though It aia't much bigger thaa it
was when first took it into mine, that night
under tie big tree. All, my girl. didn't see
then. and didn't seem to imagine thatyou would
be SO dear to me some day. Ididn't know that
il the course of time you would get to be
what you to me-. If I had"-- 3.}
Another pause. This time Lucy was slightly
trembling z~.-&
elf r had" he continued, 81 should almost