Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-07-02


sign OF a certain invention into Har-
elds hands, saying, carelessly:
Take this, my boy and go to work
if you are patient you VII become
rich some day."
The young MAJ wes delighted he
possessed tie golden key that would
soon unlock the doors of poverty, and
reveal to MS youthful eyes the magni-
tceDce of wealth and splend0r, But
his first step2- that he could not
clearly see, and not until several
months after Mr.. Ellis died did the
youthful enthusiast decide to leave
the quiet town that had always been
his nome and enter a world wholly
unknown to him-the strange and un.
tried business world.
Ten years later the aristocratic little
town had greatly increased in popula
ton; many streets had been named,
and, altogether, there was a marked
improvement in various directions. 1t
had its First street; to be informed
that one resided here was TO under
stand at once his social position there
could BE- nothing better Other streets
there were as well located, and as
finely shaded, but they were, after
all, only common place. Situated On
\ one OF the latter was a small cottage.
The roof was very sloping, suggest
ing an idea of mistaken economy. A
side wisGow, filed vito brightly
blooming geraniums, seemed especial
ly an object OF beauty in the bleak,
wintry days, and the house in its
simplicity was costly attractive. The
blinds of the little parlor were usually
closed, for Myra Ellis was too busy to
occupy it often, but the room was all
ways fresh and inviting, with its
cheerful, open fire in cool weather;
here was a calm retreat when brain
and nerves were worn, and she long,
ed for an hours quiet reading and
rest, for that re!reshment of soul that
would enable her to endure the burden
of the day.
For nearly ten years Myra had
been a very popular milliner at the
North side; that sis, the northern por-
ton of the town. which included
First street. We Gnd her finishing
the last bonnet promised that night,
and as the sitting room, or millinery
shop, was getting dark and oppressive,
she entered the small parlor, which
always seemed to her long, long
distance from the shop-it is true she
simply crossed a marrow sill one step,
and the world of care and toll was
left behind. She eagerly craved the
best in literature, aud the hours de
voted to reading were indeed precious
but on this particular day she felt
greatly depressed; she had entered
the charmed world of thought, only
to find miserable doubt and fear wait
ing TO receive and torment her in her
loneliness, instead of the usual
rest and peace. Would the years TO
come bring nothing more to her than
the paste What would be her fate
when faith and hope were gone,
leaving her nothing but an aching
yearnine heart for a different lifel
She felt herself growing timid and
shrinking, almost afraid to think of
coming years.
Z She sat before the fire, in large
easy chair that bad been her fathers,
and finally closed her eyes, wishing
for the forgetfulness of sleep. The
long, beautiful lashes rested, like
silken fringe, on rather pale face,
which was simply attractive, one
would thiuk at hasty glance but the
purity of the expression was some
thing indescribably lovely. She had
closed Ter eyes, but sleep was imposs.
lble, aud, remembering that 1T was
time for George TO return from school,
Y nd EDt IN,
slant IN the doorway.
Supper ready2' asked her brother.
wondering why Myra enjoyed sitting
in darkness.
"Why are you SO later inquired
Myra, as she lighted the lamps and
began to prepare their evening meal.
con, we boys had a little scrim-
mage, / hit Mark Hall in the face
with a SNOWFALL. He called me q
baby for being afraid of my old maid
sister,
Myra only heard the last three
words. Her face flushed and tears
4 filled her eyes. A chord ia her sensi>
tive soul had been touched by rude
hand, ana she felt a sudden pang of
regret hitherto unknown. She seemed
to hear IN the moaning WIND jhat
night, ss she tried 10 sleep, a sobbing
sound, in unison with the voice in her
own heart, grieving for its lost youth !
With the arrival Of spring that year
everybody was made curious by the
erection of a very beautiful residence,
two miles, perhaps, from the center
of the town. There was the charm of
mystery about the whole that made
it decidedly interesting; the master
builder and workmen were from the
city, and were not disposed to ans wer
questions of the inquisitiye satisfac
torily; the house was rapidly finished,
and occasionally, as the grounds were
being improved, large, dark bearded
gentleman, between 80 aud 40, was
4 frequently seen about the premises,
giving orders, and moving quickly IN
all directions, apparently perceiving
at a glance the progress of the work,
not the slightest detail escaping his
careful artistic eye. Everything
about the establishment was perfec-
ton itself. There were the long,
winding driyevays through the