Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-02-05
MS LITTLE LOVE.


fields, and heard the sweep of the
winds among the leafless branches
and against the window-panes.
A gentleman Of about 80 stood by
the window, one arm resting on a
little shelf and eyes, bent on the
girlish face beside him. He was not
handsome, yet his was a face one
would look at with as much or with
more interest than ii the features we're
as perfect as Apollc's own.
The eyes and mouth were full of
power, the former especially, wonder
fully expressive, and, as he spoke
now, full of easy, quiz cal regard.
care you AFRAID of me, Miss Marion
Do you think shall prove tyranni.
cal or Ienient eualdianP
Il am not the least bit afraid Of
you, sirr' the young lady called Mar
ion answered, in cold, business-like
voice, looking him in the eye.
mot afraid8 How stranger he
said, the smile around his mouth
deepening.
"Do YOU generally inspire those
who meet you with awe, Mr.. Vanng'
II am a lawyer he replied,
therefore blessed with second sight,
of course. Not only do we judge by
the outward evidence Of the thoughts
in clients heart, but theinner work
ing of the vital organ is an open book
to us. Your thoughts now"
He paused.
"Wellr She asked impatiently
Are not Gatteriug 10 me. You
consider me an unmitlgated bore,
very cold and professional - not
good-lo0king. You long for the school
left behind in the south, where days
like this were unheard of, and where
the college students serenaded you
and dedicated hoWery sonnets toyou
beauty"
The girl flushed and darted a quick,
angry glance at him from the dark
eyes under the little tissue veil strap
ped across her nose
you are pleased 10 be sarcastic"
she said, with little sneer and shrug;
"but of what matter is it2 If it
amuses you, sir, it amuses me Infinite
ly more. ] am not afraid Of your
satire-neither do like your
snfeigned surprise.
She was so petite, so childish in
appearance, despite her Is years, and
the open, animositv she expressed was
so novel. 1t was all refreshing, and
he watched her amusedly as she went
to a distant corner ami buried herself
in novel, to the complete exclusion
of himself.
All he could see beneath the book
was a pair Of extremely love Y red
lips, and those he watched steadily
scarcely aware OF it, Five minutes
passed, licked slowly off by the clock
IN the empty waiting room, and a
brown cul appeared above the rim of
the book, then one curious and bright
ly angry eye, which met his and dis
appeared like q flash.
Jerome laughed He knew that, by
that outburst of mirth, he totally lost
all vantage ground with her, but he
could not help it,
Still smiling, he walked slowly to
her side.
DO not freeze me!N he said,
pathctically, holding out his hand
I'VE must be friends, you know"
"Not at all!' she said, coldly. 81
am absolutely sure that we shall
never agree Better begin as we shall
surely end T.
"You dislike me?'
81 have said sou she answered,
turning the leaf
Aud why2 Because l have been
unfortunate enough to have offended
you2'
you have laughed at me. do
not know what name they give that in
the north; in Virginia, we call that
unmannerly."
eff have been so, Miss Romero,
sincerely Deg your pardon Jerome
sale, sliHly, and retired to the window
to whistle the Exile OF Erin, i'm the
most distracting discord until the
train pulled in,
Jerome sat by the library Gre, a
cigar between his lips his hands
clasped before him, and his eyes al.
most closed.
He was listening to q story which
interested him,
"a ouhEEI man ~ us tlSQ SlGllHE nv
the fire, a cane IN his hand, and his
chin resting on it. He was very
handsome young fellow, and the fire
light playing on his head, turned his
hair 70 gold, and made the earnest
blue eyes seem black.
II have loved her from the begin
ning, said he, slowly. Through all
the past months | have loved Marion
silently; now will tell her Of it. with
your permission, and learn my fate.
Better ultimate election than this sus
pense
Ned Bafhugton, you love my
wardG jerome asked, calmly, and no
evidence that his heart was beating
like a boy could be seen in his face.
You love her truly, you sayln
Il do Upon my honorm replieu
Ned That surely, is not strange.
Could man, seeing her constantly,
as | have done, not lose his heart ID
herr
You knew, of course. that She was
left f0ituue2 Jerome asked again,
in the same quiet way.