Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-04-03


seldom notice children. / believe l was
quite pretty child and less rough than
most girls of my age in the village. had
natural taste for study and learned rapid
ly at our little school, and | looked long
ingly at Mr. Lansdon's beautiful books.
Zone day, that first summer, he was
lying at the foot of our great elm tree read
ing, and /, a few feet away, under the
shade of lOw-spreading willow, watched
him and the fascinating book. Suddenly
ne got up as if some one had called him,
and went to his room. His book dropped,
and as soon as he was well out Of sight, l
sprang eagerly to the elm and caught it up.
1t was Scott's LADY of the Lake" Do
you wonder l got completely lost in it?
have no idea how long was reading, but l
was too absorbed to hear coming footsteps,
and knew nothing but the sweet Ellen and
the brave Douglas, until shadow fell
across the book and kind voice said,
"Well, little Laura, do you like it 2"
looked up into his smiling eyes, and
exclaimed, enthusiastically, "Oh, so much
Isn't it beautiful 2"
very" he replied, still smiling, Il think
so, but l hardly expected child like you
to appreciate it. Do you love to read"
Indeed do J" cried, with an ecstatic
little hug Of the book.
"Do you 20 to school 2" he asked.
eyes, sir; but this is vacation"
II know. Do you have good teachers ?"
Sometimes" 1 answered, hesitatingly !;
"but really think Miss Stone didn't know
much more than l. l should like to be a
teacher, and know so much my scholars
would respect me-"
Louis Lansdon laughed aloud.
"Well said, little Miss Ambition :"
Then, growing sober, he said, Would you
like to read with me every day."
Wouldn't ?" said
Then he took the book from me and
read from where left off,
After that we read together every day,
history and poetry, principally, and when
he went away in the fall he gave me
LADY of the Lake"
The next summer was spent In the same
way, and the next. liUed in those sum-
mer days, and merely existed during the
long, dull winter. Just before leaving us
the third fall Louis was closeted long
time with my foster mother, and then he
told me his proposition, which was to send
me to the Elmwood Seminary for four
years course.
"Would you like it ," he asked, kindly.
Like it l could not express my graft
tude, and was too young to be sensitive
about receiving an education from him.
He left money to pay for board, books
and tuition, and l was neatly fitted out
and went to Elmwood.
thoroughly enjoyed my school life and
had the first honors of my class. In vaca-
ton Louis came again. He was pleased
with my progress and we read together as
before
Three more delightful years followed,
and the summer before l was seventeen /
graduated receiving as many compliments
and prizes as my vanity could stand but,
after all, it was Louis look of pride which
was sweetest He attended commence
ment and took me home in carriage he
had brought for the purpose. 1t was
beautiful drive of fifteen miles. On the
way he told me for the first time some
thing of himself.
His mother was dead, and he was the
only child of his father.
After he had thus made me acquainted
with himself he astonished me by declar-
ing his love for me, and his
desire to marry me in another year. But
/ was not too astOnished to know that |
loved him, and, although l realized and
tried to make him realize how inferior |
was, he wouldn't see it, but masterfully in
sisted on pledging himself to me and
placed lovely ring, with an opal set in it,
on my finger. So my graduation day found
me an engaged young lady, and very happy
in my love.
That summer was an idyl-it passed like
a dream-and in the fall Louis returned to
his law studies, and went bravely to work
to try and prepare myself for the IespOn-
sible position l should occupy as the wife OF
Louis Lansdon. My engagement became
known, and the girls were enviOus, while
the rustic beaux were jealous. 1 was
severely let alone, so was quite surprised
to receive an invitation to act as bridesmaid
to girl who was a former playmate and
schoOlmate. Her brother John was to be
groomsman. particularly detested him,
and did not care about going, but, wishing
to prove myself agreeable, I accepted,
dressed as nicely as possible and went.
1t was hOmely country wedding, so you
will not be surprised to know that after
supper they went to playing games, cha
rades, among the rest.
They wanted bridal scene, so John
Benton asked me to be his bride in the
play. l consented, and the clergyman who
had officiated at Mary Benton's wedding
officiated in the charade.
'Do you, John Benton, take Laura Ellis,
etc?m he asked solemnly.
Il do" replied John.
And when the question was put to me,
positively trembled, it seemed so real, but
bravely, Il do"
Then we received congratulations and
the play was over. AS the company was
and was putting on my things
John came up, and said, with wicked
grin:
would you rather stay here orgo up home
O-night and surprise the old folks 2"
looked my surprise, but said:
"Oh, shall 60 home. The Sawyers 60
right past our door"
Il thought you might prefer to. stay at ,.
your husbands home tonight" he said.
thought he was referring to the play,
and laughed, but he frowned, and, calling
the clergyman, said:
"See here, Mr.. Mason, Laura doesn't
realize she is Mrs. Benton, and talks about
going home with Sawyer's folks"
grew faint and sick. The clergyman
looked distressed.
Did you mean it, John?" he said in
low voice.
Mean it Of course l did. It's law.
Come, tell her Mr. Mason"
He drew nearer me and, taking my hand,
kindly said:
Il fear it is true, Miss-Mrs.-"
He paused, helplessly bewildered, and
sank into chair and screamed out:
"Whdt is true?"
"You are John Benton's wife, by the law
of the State, J. as a minister of the Gosnel