Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-11-20
A NOBLE HEART.

I sat spinning at my little wheel
Ia the sun, for the autumn day was
cold, when [ heard some one whlstl-
ing; and Looking up there was young
Squire Turner with his arms folded
on the gate looking over. When he
caught myeye he laughed and blush
ed.
When | courtesied he bowed, max
ing his curls d 1nce over his shoulders,
AM said he:
I've spoiled one pretty picture
that could have looked at all day,
but I've made another as pretty, SO
I'll not grieve. May come in?'
"And welcome, SIR" SAID l, and L
set chair for him, for he was grand
fathers landlord but for all that [ felt
uncomior table, for | was not used to
fine company.
He talked away, paying me more
compliments than | was use1 to, Tor
grandmother. who brought me up, al
WAYS SAID: Handsome is as hand
some does, and beauty is but skin
deep.
Siuce [ am telling the story l will
tell the truth. [ had done wrong about
one thing. Neither of the old folks
knew that I wore Ev an LOckes ring
In my bosom, or that we had taken a
vow to each other beside the haw
thorn that grew in the church lane.
[ never meant to deceive. but granny
was old and little hard, and that
love of miae was such a sweet secret.
Granny came In from the dairy
five minutes after the squire was gone,
and she heard he had been there.
That night we had something else
to think of; misfortune mad come up
on grandfather, but l didn't fOrsee
that when the half years rent should
become due not a penny to pay 1t with
would be found.
All this time Evan Locke aud |
other, and he came as often as before
to talk with grand pa IN the winter
nights, and still every little while
our young landlord, Squire Turner,
would stop in and sit in his lazy way
watching me knit or spin.
I could not help his coming; nor
help seeing him WHEN he came, and
[ did not deserve that Even should be
angry with nae, but he was.
He made me angry, and L spoke
up:
"For that matter, the Squire would
be glad to have me promise to marry
him. He thinks more of me than you
do just now"
''Maybe you like him better?" SAID
Evan.
~ don't say that" replied I; but
bad temper and jealousy scarcely
ever make me overload of another. l
pray | may never have a husband
vino will scold me-"
For he has been scolding me. There
was no other name for 1t.
Well Evan was wroth with nae,
and 1 with hIm-not heaft-deep,
though, thought--and I did not see
him for more than week.
So | did not fret after Evans
absence, nor quite snub Squire Tur
ner, who liked me more than ever
Bat one night grandfather came IN
frorn a long ride and, shutting the
door, stood between grandmamma
and me, looking at me, and so very
strangely that we both became fright
ened At last he spoke:
1--WE been to the 'Squire's. For
the first time I had to tell him that
I could not pay his rent when due"
/ opened my lips. Grandmamma's
hand covered them. Grandpa drew
use TO him.
''Thuu'rt young, lass" he said,
land they are right who call thee
pretty. Say, couldn't thee like the
Squire we'll enough TO wed him?"
'Eh?" cried grandma. Sure you're
not wandering?"
esquire Turner asked me for this
lass of ours to night. Of all the wom-
en- in the world there is but one he
loves as he should his wife, and that
is our Agatha"
wit have him and be a rich
Iady?" said grandpa
And when he waited for an answer
burst out with mo" and a sob to.
gether.
shes frightened" said grandma
"Nay, we must all wed once In our
lives, my Chi d"
Then graudpa talked to me. He
told me now poor they had grown.
and how kind the squire was, and
mad but to marry hlm to make my
grand parents free from debt and pow