The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-05-13
THE LADIES' TREE.

than u year, and after that Mr.. Cardewe
wrote to Charley to come up again to the
Manor, as he wished to have him look
after the young plantations which were
being formed.
The first news that greeted us was that
liz, Hemphiil, who had always been kind
TO us, was as good as engaged to be mar
ried to Miss Anderson, whose parents
lived near Bournemouth. She was a
very lovely girl; and every one was
pleased to think that Mr.. Hemphill and
she had made it up together. after all.
There was u little story connected with
this young lady. She was something of
an heiress, it was known, and many peo-
pie had made offers for her to her
parents. Capt. Martyr Henry, who had
been at the Manor, and who was again
expected this same summer, had, l knew,
cen one of her admirers. But although
everything seemed satisfactory, the i'm
pending rumored engagement was ended.
Capt Henry went abroad in hurry, and
people said very nnkind things concern
ing him. But Miss Anderson was evil
IDENTITY fond of him.
However, after awhile she appeared as
SllcSIltt III DIS ever. NIX.
Hill on his part seemed quite happy.
Hiss Anderson rode to the hounds to the
very middle Of April, and he wanted 70
marry her in June. Every thing was pre-
pairing. She was certainly a fine girl.
such eyes!-bold black ones. Such
lovely hair, and figure which was, in
her riding-habit, perfection. Her man.
ner was quiet and shy at first, but they
told me she improved" wonderfully
after awhile: and there was no daring or
almost reckless thing she would not do
if she was defied to it. That is not my
idea of improvement, but being only
dressmaker, hardly know.
However, she came and stayed with
the Cardcwes; and Mr.. Hemphill rode
over day after day. One day it was
very thrndery and stormy, and just as
the rain was beginning, into our little
house the young pair came for shelter.
When the thunder stopped rolling they
went into the porch; and the day being
hot and sultry, though only May the
house-door was open. / was washing
things, and could hear their voices, and
sometimes even what they said, without
ninding.
The tones in which Miss Gladys con-
tradicted poor Mr.. Hemphill, and the
mild, submissive way in which he put up
with it all, astonished me. That any
man would behave as he did / couldn't
have believed! I'd like to see Charley
put up with such "tantrums" as Miss
Anderson's! Now, said to myself, see
the reason of Capt. Henry's and Mr..
Elliott's sudden crying Off" They could
not put up with her temper, of course;
and wonder Mr.. Hemphill did. He
seemed afraid to contradict her.
The shower passed. The sandy soil
licked up the drops, and everything re
manned as parched and dry as possible.
a single match dropped in the under
wood would have set the whole planta-
ton and all the gorse in n blaze. The
Keepers were particularly desired to be
on the watch for smokers, who might in
o moment, by accident or for "fun," set
fire to the whole of the furze, and burn us
up too.
Mr.. Hemphill and Miss Anderson were
discussing this when DIR. Joliffe rode
past, and stopped suddenly. He was
special friend of the Andersons, and
often visited them, dined, and even slept
there at times. Mr.. Hemphill greeted
Jim at once, but Miss Gladys looked sui
len when he came up.
II wish had seen that fire." Miss
Anderson was saying; II would give any
thing to see n good fire. Some day we
will have another"
"Have another!" cried Mr.. Hemphill;
'you can't mean that, Gladys"
"Have you seen Capt. Martyr Henry,
Mr.. Hemphill?" inquired the doctor.
mo, has he returncd?"
Miss Anderson's face was pale as
death.
as there anything the matter, Gladys?"
asked Mr.. Hemphill.
Nothing" she said. "Dr. Joliffe, will
you come back to the Manor with us?"
and they rode away.
When Charley came in he was in
terrible hurry.
Lets have tea, Lucy" he said almost
before he was we'll in the house. Il
must go out at once and keep an eye
round the plantations. There has been
some clippers" across to-day, and doubt
they'll have left something after them,
and the place is all as dry as finder: A
A spark would burn us in our beds"
Just then a messenger rode up from
Mrs. Cardewe for Charley and myself to
go to the Manor. She wanted to see me
about some dressmaking. Mrs. Cardewe
jpaads me stay and take tea with Mrs.
Jones, the housekeeper, and she sent two
of tho boys to find Charley, and tell him
to come back to the Manor when his
work was over, and fetch me and baby.
Then Mrs. Jones and seated ourselves for
nice long chat, not that Icare much for
gossip, as a rule, but when with friends
n little exchange of sentiments is pleas
ant.
We hadn't talked very long when Bill
Swain came in all excited.
"Oh, mum!-awful, mum! Mr.. Farmer
he has sent me for help. The gorse is a-fire
and the plantations in danger. It's bad,
that it Isl"
dumped mp and called the girl Emily.
Here, Emily; hold baby till come
back, The gorse is a-fire, and Mr..
Farmer is there. Quick"
Iput on my things; and by the time
"uS lcStuy dic 1Icu dllu "SLS
rying away to the place where the fire
was. The smoke was already curling
over the tree-tops; and as we knew the
whole place was as dry as finder, the fire
would spread rapidly,
As canse out l saw Miss Anderson and
Mr.. Hemphill. He was trying to dis
suade her.
.1Gladys. nav dearest"
"Mr. Hemphill. please do not interfere
You have no right toprevent me. I Twill
60 to this fire. particularly want to sec
it. You need not come unless you
please"
he looked at her almost with tears in
his eyes. But he was patient with her
and sail:
Very we'll, dear, as you like"
She drew herself up haughtily. could
have boxed her ears had she been my
girl. He was too gentle with her. Some
women don't value man unless he is
pretty hard with them, and poor Mr..
.Hemphill wasn't hard enough for Miss