The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-10-09

|
first decided that he would not beg for
pupils, and on no occasion did he ask
the farmers to send their children.
He was treated politely, yet he could
see that the people of the neighborhood
cared nothing for his society, but as
this Indifference was mutual he spent
very little time in regret.
One day Windin' Blades failed to
come, but Weed, with her face all
aglow with healthful exercise, came as
usual. When she had hung up her
homespun cloak, and shaken the snow
from the bright hair, Hayloid asked:
"Where is your brother?"
"He amt here"
IL see he is not here, but where is
he?"
"At home."
"Why didn't he Gomez"
"Had to go to mill"
"Weed, don't you think you are learn
ing very rapidly?"
eyes, SIR"
II don't think I ever saw any one
make such progress. You have fine
order of mind, and I hope that after I
leave the neighborhood you will pursue
your studies still"
"You are not thinking about leaving
are you?" looking up with eyes in
which there lurked shadows of sad
ness.
II shall not leave Immediately, but
in justice to myself I cannot remain
here much longer"
She twisted the fax home made but
ton on her dress, and gazed fxedly into
the roaring fire.
"Do you want me to stay here?" he
asked
eyes" twisting the button.
"But you know cannot stay here al
ways"
NO." she replied with Frightening
eyes, eve cannot stay anywhere always.
Whe have to die some time"
why, Weed, you are running ahead
of you studies. You have jumped from
the fourth reader to an advanced book
of philosophy"
She did not thoroughly comprehend
his meaning, but she laughed and be-
slowed on him glance which for ever
remained pleasant memory.
do you, SO fresh and vigorous, with
such bloom of perfect life ever think of
dying?"
"Yes," she replied sadly, "my little
sister was the picture of health, with
more bloom than have, and with a
face SO bright that everybody wanted
to kiss it, but she died. When they
said that she could not get well I did
not believe them, but one morning,
when [ went to the bed and found the
bloom all gone, I knew that they had
told me the truth. Now I know that
anybody can die and that the bloom
does not mean life, but many times
means DEATH"
He looked at her in surprise. He
had taken great pains to correct her
language, and had from day to day
noted her advancement, yet he was not
prepared for the expression of such
views, common enough with older peo-
pie, but rare with one so young.
"You are right, Weed. The rose may
be bright to-day, but tonight frost
may kill it; but we have wandered from
our subject. What was trying to tell
you, anyway"
"About your going to leave"
ooh, yes. You know that I cannot
remain here much longer. Very few
men would have staid this long, but I
have nothing to do"
'tAnd did you stay here because you
had nothing to do?"
! IT don't exactly mean that. I mean
that I could not have remained had
other business engagements pressed
me-"
| ''But you would not have come here
| had other engagements pressed you.
"You are developing tact as well as
philosophy. Now, to tell you the truth,
after staying here three days no bust
ness could have called me away. Only
one person could have influenced me to
| leave"
"Who?"
"You, and you alone"
Glow could I have had any infu-
ence?"
"You possess an unconscious infu-
ence that is stronger than iron. If you
had said you did not want me to re-
main I should have gone away. have
studied your face closely, and have ever
seen. or fancied that I saw, kindness
and welcome in your eyes,"
"Isn't it time to take in school, Mr..
Havloid?"
"No, there is time for nothing but to
tell you of my deep love for you. Weed,
you are the cause of my remaining
here. I love you with heart that was
never before moved"
She had twisted off the button, and
sat changing it from one hand to the
other.
mo woman, no matter how cultivat-
ed, could win my love from you"
'Do you know why 1 have learned so
fast ?" she asked dropping the button
and clasping her hands.
Because you have bright mind"
"No, because love you"
He caught her in his arms and was
pressing her lips when Windin' Blades
burst into the room.
"Thar now," he said. stopping in
amazement. "Thar now, Mr.. Hayloid.
Don't say nothin' more to me bout
kitchen grasshoppers. I'd hatcher be
kotch putin gear on grasshoppers than
to be kotch putin my arms round
gal. Whoop!" and Windin' Blades,
in celebration of his conquest, seized
table.
"Tm goin' to tell pa on you, sir, said
the girl.
"Im goin' to tell him on you," again
whooping and striking the table.
don't see how anybody can study
when you're keeping up such noise"
Study, har yah. whoop!" and he
raised deafening din. ''Wall." when
he had sufficiently commemorated his
discovery. ''believe I'll go home eff
thar amt goin' to be no school," and
before protest could be made. Windln'
Blades had leaped from the door and
disappeared.
''That was unfortunate" said Hay
loid. land would give almost any
thing if it could be recalled"
care you sorry that you told me?"
"Oh, no."
UrTbao xo,, o,ro that krsol