Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-27
ALL FOR A TRIPLE.

The twilight was settling down i
misty grayness over the hilltops an
tress, the birds twittered sleepy good
night and retired to rest, and the star
began to peep out one by one, as Pau
Everson and May Brooks walked slowl
along the dusty highway together. The.
had grown up together from early child
hood, and it had been a favorite schem
of their elders to unite the families an,
property through these young people.
Like wise old generals, though, a
they were, not whisper of this wa
breathed to the young people, the plot
ters knowing full well that with the nat
ural depravity of the human race, the,
would no sooner learn what was expected
of them than they would do all in thei
power to thwart the arrangement. s.
they had been permitted to have thei
own way, the result being that 81,
months before my story opens, Paul hat
one evening slipped a heavy ring OIL
Mays finger, and leading her to thei
parents, had asked their blessing on tn
union.
1t was given with a heartiness tina
surprised and delighted the young cou
pie, who had supposed their relatives t.
be deaf and blind to all that was trans
piring Then had followed delightful
days, now and then Swallowed by small
clouds of jealousy, which melted ava,
again in the sunshine of true love.
Paul was unreasonably jealous VIII.
was May always SO gracious to the othe
fellows? Had not she won him? VIVA
did she need of others, especially tina
Tom Elton
They were cousins, he knew, but tina
was no reason why they should be OIL
such affectionate terms. Walking, boat
ing, driving, when he wanted May tt
himself ; even corresponding when Ton
was called away for day or so. He die
not like it, but he did not venture to tel
May of his disaproval She would only
laugh and call him jealous, while he was
not jealous, only grieved at her lack o.
a1ectlOn Tor MIN.
So he bore it by himself, never ex
planning the GOODNESS he could not Away.
hide as he thought of Tom. And May
wondered and questioned, endured anC
loved
The wedding was to have taken place
at Christmas, year from the betrothal
but in June an uncle of Paul's died il
Paris and bequeathed him his fortune
not large one. by any means-but il
would be great help to these moder
ately circumstanced lovers. There was
some difficulty in settling the affairs Of
the estate, which made it necessary fol
for Paul to 90 there and remain until
all was arranged.
This was his last evening at home He
did not know when he should return
He could not under year, at least, per
haps not for two. He urged May tC
hasten her arrangements and accompany
him, but this she refused to do. She
could not get ready in so short time
and mamma seemed so feeble after hel
fever. On the whole she thought il
best to postpone their wedding until his
return Paul pleaded, then scolded, and
finally submitted with very i'll grace
indeed.
May dear, he said, as they slowly
walked together under the large maple
trees, dear one, you will write often
will you not 2
Yes, every day. Oh, dear; | wish
your uncle had willed his fortune tc
some one else 1t takes you far away
from me, and then people are so silly
you know; they may say that married
you for your money
Who is silly now +? laughed Paul
drawing her closer to him and imprint
ing kiss on the rosy lips so temptingly
appraised, AS if we cared for people
Beside, my,,fortune is too small to be yer,
enticing. But | wish this legacy was
drowned in the depths of the Dead Sea
| cannot bear to leave you. Come will
me, May. 1t is not too late, even now
Oh, come, please come, he urged fondly
I cannot, Paul My duty lies here
at home with mamma.
And Tom I comprehend at last.
Paul jcalously had found a voice.
What do you mean?' demanded May
drawing away from him, and gazing a
him in establishment and displeasure.
Mean retorted Paul, wrathfully
Don't you drive with him, row with him
write to him, have him hanging abou
you half time, all the while you are en-
gagged to me? Do you suppose Xix,
that? No,o you refuse to 60 where yor
think you cannot see him, he said hi
temper fairly running away with him.
May turned very white. She slow,
drew off her ring, and as he finished
speaking she said, quietly
If that is your opinion Of me, it is al
well We part, and She handed him tn,
ring
Very well, said he. You are free
Marry Tom if you will
He walked rapidly away without I
glance behind him.
May slowly walked home, her on,
wish to be entirely alone somewher,
with her grief, away from all prying
eyes. She entered the side gate in
tending to steal unnotlced up the kitch
en- stairs to her own room, when he
mother called her from the veranda.
May, is that you? Please battle m,
head, dear; it aches so dreadfully
| So May was obliged to sit down ant
listen to her mothers praises Of Pau
and regrets for his necessary trip, unit
it seemed as if she should 60 quit
wild
Oh, the torture of those first few day
with everybody asking questions as t
the why and wherefore of the quarrel
Aunt Elton was the most troublesome Q
all She was a tall, stout woman, abou
fifty-fve years of age, and possessed 0
very sharp tongue.
What is this / hear2' she said, walk
ing into the parlor the next evening
tossing her shawl in one chair, he
gloves in another, and untying her Dor
net strings, infalIible signs Of word