The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-08-02
HIS WIFE.
FROM BELGRAVIA.

Walk III In6 pI6dSduteSJ part OF the pleas
ATTEST country in the world Soft hills
bathed in the suns parting glow dotted
the landscape on every side, and over
all smiled a tender, brooding sky
What keen enjoyment the anticipation
of summer all alone with my best
friend had offered me-a and now [ was
almost there. There was the house
old, brown and many roomed, and most
of the rooms on the ground floor.
Grandmother herself had been the arch
itect of the establishment.
II told your grandfather" said she
on one occasion, chat no man was GO
ing to plan a house for me to live in.
What does a nam know, should ike to
be told, of woman's needs? If he'd
built it according to his notion there
would have been three or four flights of
stairs, and then, with baby on each
arm and two or three hanging to my
petticoats, might have spent most of
my time on 'em-but knew better"
AS events proved, grandmother was
correct in her predictions. An enthu-
siastic lover of nature was this old lady
OF 20 years. Yes, there she was! I
caught glimpse of her white sleeve
on the window sill. How exquisite the
taste of this presiding genius! Hello
trope, mignonette and white roses
Grandmother's rosebushes were the
envy of the whole neighborhood. Shy
little violets bordered the gravel walks
leading to the low door-stone, and over
beyond, in grandmother's pet field,
millions of yellowhear daisies nod
ded and beckoned to the soft evening
breeze. Avoiding treacherous pebbles,
| cut quietly across to the front door,
stealing, with cat-like tread, through
the long, narrow hallway, and entered
the sitting-room on my tip-toes. Won
derful victory! Twice before had 1
tried this wonderful dodge, and each
time had the old tJlrkey-gobbler be-
trayed me. Where was he on this oc-
caslon, and why, when [ really needed
his services, did he not prove my friend?
SOFTLY Only a step or two more. The
sensation of the next minute wasn't
anything to speak of-meaning that it
was lndescribable. The back of grand
mothers big armchair quite hid the
occupant, aud, nothing doubling, /
made with great dexterity for grand
mothers eyes. [ found the eyes, but
they didn't belong to grandmother
knew that before their saucy owner
had imprisoned my hands.
who is it," said he, like one first
awakening from a sleep. LET me
guess. The fingers are too little for
Madge and too long to belong to
Sarah"
found my tongue then. / would
not wrench my hands away; that would
be rudeness for he evidently supposed
them to be the property of an intimate
friend.
Please release me-" [ said; and
then, as he rose quickly, apparently
surprised by the voice of stranger, I
added rather ludicrously l suppose, for
the tall fellow in shirt-sleeves laughed
right heartily, L thought you were
grandmother
Never was taken for an old lady be-
fore" he answered with provoking non
chalance, and then added, as he hastily
drew on dressing gown, What do
you think about 1t now?"
think | should like to know where
grandmother is, and"
And what | am doing here?" he in
terrupted with another laugh. "Your
grandmother has gone to spend the
evening with sick neighbor. / be-
long to the next house or rather am
visiting my sister. She was unexpect-
eddy telegraphed away, and as [ have
been Ill, and am not quite well enough
to take care OF myself in the absence of
housekeeper, your blessed grand
mother offered to look out for me until
nay sisters return. My name is David
Alcott, and yours, I take it, is Miss
Susan Ellis" And then we shook
hands.
That evening marked a new era in
my life. | was comfortable, as was
always the case at grandmother's, and
was happy, too-happier than | had
ever been before. What it meant was
of no sort of consequence to me then.
dld not stop to analyze my sensa-
lions, but enjoyed to the utmost the
strange entertainment fate had placed
before me. Mr.. Alcott showed where
grandmother had left the strawberries
after tea, and then l skinned a pan of
mornings milk, and prepared my sup
per.
You have been to tea, of course p"
L inquired of the gentlemen, who had
taken up his book.
Yes, but | should ike a few straw
berries, if you could spare me some. y
SO it CHANGED that he drew a chair mn
10 the little round table, proving
most interesting companion.
In an hour more, after our little
meal was over, | sat upon the door
stone alone, watching for grandmother.
Then he came to the door and said:
You needn't expect her before 9
o'clock. | wish l could sit here with
You" "''1
And why not?" | asked.
because l am still in quarantine.
Perhaps 1 might make it pleasant for
you indoors, If you are fond of be-
ing read to, l will do my best"
And there is nothing I am fonder
OF" L answered, and followed him into
the house.
Make your selection" he said. point
ing to table quite covered with books.
Something of hers" 1 replied, pick
ing up an edition of Mrs Browning.
All right. Now, to please me. open
at random, and | will read there"
laughingly assented, and placed nv
Iorennger plump on Lord Walters
der the yew "a" un-
Au 9sf eyes were olive in their depths, as the
.ss.,.i kraken beneath the sea blue. '--'
fair, 7"eieu' you are TOO
A0 9oi{ 20 strangie my soul in mesh of your
ct I, lease don't go on" I interrupted.
luxe IKE the poem, but someway it isn't
Hardly appropriate" he answered.