Little Falls transcript., 1885-11-06

coloring somewhat, endeavored to
thank her for her warm hospitality,
but was cut short with: .,5..
Bless you, it's no put out, we have
lots OF room, and it will be real pleas
ure to me to see Luclndy's son max
ing himself to home in my house 8 /.
And thus it was that Paul Dorsey
became q guest at Willow Brook
Farm. 554 Is :@@.. s5@s 5.i5 >.5.:5=
That evening after her visitor had
retired Mrs. Duncan said to her daugh-
ter. 4. b IL, s, 5s.. saz 49, y
"P oor, young man, he hasn't got q
bit Of appetite. I don't wonder Luz
cindy is fretted about him. She writes
that he is always that taken up With
books, that she can hardly ever coax
him to go about with young folks and
enjoy himself. I've been thinking
Marthy, if you was just to kind OF
make believe you need his! help now
and again about the garden and such,
it would do him a sight of good, and
he'd never suspect twas for the sake
of his health,' and Mrs Duncan
laughed a low, pleased laugh, at the
thought Of the deception, while Martha
exclaimed: .. r -
"Why mother! you are getting to be
aregular conspirator. But I am afraid
it won't work, he's $3.50 odd w..
Paul Dorsey had been told to make
himself perfectly at home; so the morn
ing after his arrival he withdrew from
the breakfast table to his own room,
and forthwith commenced to unpack
his books preparatory to a good days
study. Everything was at last ar.
ranged to his satisfaction, but some
how his thoughts were strangely wan-
dering this day, although not sound
disturbed the the cool quietness of his
surroundings. A pair OF blue eyes
seemed to glance mockingly from the
1nusty pages he fain would master, and
he caught himself repeating aloud the
old-fashioned name of "Marthy,"
which took unto itself the sweetest of
sounds by reason of it's connection
with 80 pretty an owner. Suddenly,
with thud, the book fell from his
hand, as, exclaiming: "By Jove! that's
her voice." Paul Dorsey, with one
stride, was at the window making sad
havoc Of the dainty dimity curtains
with his clumsy hands.
Martha, accompanied by a tall,
stalwart fellow, was passing down the
garden path, her infectious laughter
floating merrily upon the balmy air as
she chatted away to the young man at
her side, who appeared to be enjoying
the subject under discussion us herself.
AS they disappeared from view, Paul,
with rather u blank look, resumed his
seat and sought to apply himself to his
interesting task, but not with the old
nrdor did he work, and for the first
time that he could remember, he list
ened anxiously for the bell to summon
him to luncheon.
The days slipped into weeks, and still
Paul Dorsey remained a guest at Will
low Brook Farm, and it becamen no un-
usual sight to see him obediently fol-
lowing Martha's directions concerning
the uprooting of certain weeds, or the
fastening Of some vine more secure
ly about it's support. An honest,
brown tinge had replaced Paul's
once sallow complexion, and the
books-well, theys had become Sec
ondary, more potent charm having
oIbIAVsA1eO cIASAAs GAIS. DuilCan COll-
graduates herself upon her happy fore
thought that she was working such a
change in her friends son, and Marth ha
admitted with a slight blush, that Mr..
Dorsey was getting to be almost as
handsome as her cousin Joe-her beau
ideal Of manly beauty heretofore.
The sun burned scorching hot upon
the broad gravel path Just outside OF
the farms pretty parlor, but within
that quaint room a restful coolness
held sway. Lounging idly in the
depths OF Il willow chair, was Paul
while Martha, seated at the old organ,
drew from its aged keys low, plain
tive melody. As the last note died
softly away, whirling round upon
her seat, Martha exclaimed:
"Do you know. Mr.. Dorsey, you
have been wasting your whole morn
ing? I don't believe you have look
ed at book for two days"-this last,
it must be owned, with slight air of
triumph as she continued, penitently:
II am afraid I have been to blame,
but Tomorrow l will leave you free to
spend the whole. day with your books,
for Cousin Joe has promised to drive
me over to Dapleson to do shop
ping"
Chang Cousin Joe"
"Mr. Dorsey!' from Martha's as
tonished lips. -. ..> -.-.
II beg pardon. I really-Ihopeyo YOU
will have delightful time, Miss Dun
can. ] assure you I shall a-enioy it
immensely, being left to my books and
|-confound it! Excuse MEL ...
And ere Martha could reply, Paul
Dorsey had left the room. 7-.,z = ~
How queer heis," soliloquized Mar
tina, as Pauls departing footsteps
echoed through the hall II don't see
why he should dislike Joe so; Joe is al
ways such a favorite with everyone.
hope I haven't offended him. I am
sure didn't mean to-" And with
rather q puzzled look upon her fair
young face, Martha closed the organ.
That evening as Martha stood down
by the meadow gate. caressing old
Doxey, the mare, her quick ears caught
the souud Of a familiar tread advanc-
ing towards her, and moment after
o voice exclaimed: 5lsg.sts
II am an idiot, Miss Martha, but I
II hope you will forgive me. Icouldn't
bear the idea OF his monopolizing you
all day. Iknow youcould never think
of an old book worm like myself
still III have been very happy, and I
forget sometimes that-that there is
such a difference between u.s."
Martha's cheeks had been growing
roster and roster, while q strange, wild
10y surged through her veins, as she