Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-02-19

the first heavy drops fell from the over.
laden sky.
why there is nobody at home" said
Jennie, as, after repeatedly kno king
at the door, she lifted the latch and
walked in.
1t was very close day, and Jennie
pushed up the little window, watching
the heavy falling rain. her sweet face
framed with clustering honeysuclle.
As she stood watching the rain drops,
| a gentleman came in sight walking
hurriedly down the road. Jennie won
dered who he could be. She gazed al
him curiously as he approached the
cottage. and started when he knocked
sharply at the door, not having caught
sight OF her pretty face at the window.
The spirit of mischief took possession
OF Jennie. She took off her hat, snatehed
up a large white apron and tied il
roun her slim waist. tucked up her
sleeves, and, taking broom, went to the
door as if the knocking had interrupted
her in her household duties.
'In-began the stranger. and. lifting
his eyes to her face. gave vent to an ex-
prcssiye ..By Jove.n and stared at Miss
Jennie in silent establishment, until a
warm blush stole up to the roots of her
pretty, fair hair
what can ! do for you sir?" said
Jennie, with demure curtsey.
You can give me shelter from the
storm, if You will?' said the stranger.
recovering from his surprise; and sha :
hng the raindrops from his hat, he
stopped inside the cottage, CHANGING at
Jenuie's little feet as he did so, and
thinking the little rustic was uncom-
monty well shod
Jennie, on her part, was wondering
Who this handsome man, with the dark,
searching eyes could be.
you don't live all alone in this cot
tage, he said, accepting her timid in
vitation to be seated.
''Oh, nor faltered Jennie, blushing
like rose.
'Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive"
what pretty child it is, - thought
the young man. ''And how she bushes;
but that, suppose, is rustic simplicity.
l dare say she is quite unconscious OF
my admiration, and does not even know
how charming she looks
And then he smiled, remembering
how he had been courted and battered
by certain fair ladies that afternoon.
aud congratulated himself on the fact
that the storm had come after his de-
parture, for be it known, the angel Miss
Jennie was entertaining unawares was
no other than the lion of the garden
party, Mr.. Jocelvn Trehearne.
Jennie's book lay on the table, and
he looked at it in surprise. The little
rustic subscribed to Mudie's then, or
had some friend who was kind enough
to lend her books to read
is this your's?n he said, and the
little deceiver faltered out that it be-
longed to Miss Jennie Reid.
Miss Jennie Reid" repeated Mr..
Irchearne. ANY relation to that nice
girl VINO they tell me is engaged TO
young Dr.. Brown?'
you know Ada Reid?H said Jennie
in surprise, and a painful blush suffused
her face How she regretted her fool
ish whim nowl
Il have seen her once, " returned Mr..
Trehearne; ''but it is her sister who is
so kind to you, eh?n
Yes, " faltercd Jennie, ready to sink
through the floor.
us she pretty, rs we'll as kindp"
asked Mr. 1rehearne, adding to him
self, Il only saw one Miss Reid at the
garden-party."
Some people call her pretty" said
Jennie with a smile: II am no Judge. y
Then going to the window, She added
quickly: The rain will soon be over;
see how bright the sky.is getting"
Yes, it viii soon be over" he re-
turned, thinking to himself: Those
pretty little shoes are, | suppose, a
present from Miss Jennie. l should
like to make that girls acquaintance.
1T has left off raining" said Jennie,
in an agony, for she could see old Mar
tina toiling along the road, armed with
a gigantic ginghm. "Here'syour hat,
sir?'
And before Jocelyn knew where he
was he found himself outside the cot
tage, while Jennie, having closed the
door hastily Invested herself of her big
apron, and replaced her hat on her
bonuy head,
Ntlh AhtAt INA WIS 0ciiHDlctl W SGC uCi
OF course, and would have had her re-
main to take cup of tea; but Jen-
nle declined, and hurried away with all
speed; hating herself for the deceit she
ha'l practsed.
Tie gardcn-partv had been very nice,
Ada told her chat night, although it
had Teen more Of house-party than
anything else after the rain came on.
Mr. Jocclyn Trehearne had been there,
but he had been obliged to leave early.
Jennie scarcely heard what her sister
said The girl felt wrctched, and to
add to her discomfort, her father came
home on the following day, and scolded
her roundly for her disobcdience.
Don't cry, Jennie" whispered her
sisser, ''or you'll spoil your eyes, and
papa says we have gentleman coming
to dinner tomorrow. don't want my
pretty sister to look a little fright.
81 don't care what | look like de-
clared Jennie but she wiped her eyes
nevertheless.
Ada was the useful one of the family,
and went about her duties with light
heart, for her sweetheart, the young
doctor, had asked her to "name the
day" when they met at the garden-par-
ty.
She was a little vexed that Jennie did
not take more interest in the joyful
news; but Jennie was thinking of what
had happened on the previous day.
She could think of nothing else.
The morrow came, and with it the
gentleman aforementioned.
He was standing on the hearthrue
talking to her father when Jennie en-
tered the room in her pretty white
dress with its dainty lace elbow sleeves
She gave little gasp of astonish
ment and CONSERVATION as she looked
at him; but his smile was reassuring,
although he. too, was dumfounded Al
the first moment
My dear Jennie, Mr.. Jocelyn Ire
hearnen and then Jennie knew thai
Fate had been too much for her; she hat
stopped away from the garden-party
for nothing.
Well, not exactly that, for she won {
lover.
Mr. Jocelyn Trehearne in due time
proposed and was accepted; but, oh
how he does tease his little wife abou
her protegee.
Better Than Dagger.
4