The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-05-27

| Ddlu-ccuOOI picnic, the Only PUBIC
| amusement the church society ever in,
dulged in, and to which even the store
sent its quota of delegates, was held in
the forest skirting the bank of the little
lake. 1t was the event of the season,
instituted each year solely for the chill
dren 5 benefit; and. to the credit of the
elders be it confessed, this holiday con-
tributed not little to their enioyment-
but the keenest observer of faces would
have failed to detect a shade of anv
self-sacrifice ON the smiling counten-
| ances of the older participants. This
was the time for mutual confidence. and
rugged tillers of the soil discoursed
amicably of the stock and crops, while
buXom housewives rehearsed the mum
berless domestic details that made up
the sum of life in their little world.
Then the lake offered its placid surface
to those who cared TO risk their lives il
the few weather-beaten boats drawn
high upon the beach; and the forest
primeyal' held many a sylvan retreat for
rustic lovers and places of concealment
for the boys and girls who scampered
among Its shadows in the game OF
.'hide-and-seek;" and it was amid this
scene, and while deep in the mysteries
OF this game, that little Ada Billings,
by lucky chance, was able to throw
more light on the subject engrossing
the public mind than the ablest of Clay
ford's gossip-mongers had done.
Some spiteful women, who were not
warmly attached to Ada's mother, said,
afterward, that Ada had followed Char
ley and Kate in their ramble to spy
upon them, and that her mother had
''set her up to it, but others declared
it was pure accident, for their children
were playing with her all the time For
few days this contested point absorbed
the public mind and tongue almost to
the exclusion of the discovery made,
and the war of words ran high. On
good authority it is safe TO say the child
was innocent of intentional spying, and
only in the zest of animal spirits had
ran away from her comrades thinking
they would hunt for her, and so STUN
bled upon a scene that caused her little
heart to beat fast with a new sensation,
and her eyes to open wide like two big
blue nged-gentians. In tins state of
open-mouthed wonderment she stood
an instant, and then turned and ran as
swiftly as her little feet could carry her
straight to her mother, who was sitting
in circle of Clayford's best people.
Flushed, fearful and dripping with per-
spiration she flung herself, face down
ward, into her mothers lap.
"Why! Ada, what ails the childn'
exclaimed Mrs. Billings, giving her a
vigorous shake. But Ada only buried
her face deeper and did not answer
Perhaps she's had a fall-out with
one of the boys" suggested Mrs. Ross,
good-humoredly.
''Or tore her gown, more likely" said
another
ada. sit right up and tell me what
the matter, this instant" commanded
Mrs. Billings, half impatiently, yet with
some concern in her voice.
Thus abjured, Ada slowly raised her
self, and still keeping her face hidden
by her hands, said between her sobs:
''I-saw-the-Sup Superintendent-k
Observation-Disclosures
The circle looked aghast.
Where? When?" gasped Mrs. Bill
ings excitedly.
cover there in The woods. l didn't
mean to see it, faltered the child.
1t was a thrilling moment for Mrs.
Billings. The knowledge all Clayford
was almost dying of curiosity to learn
lay right here in her hands. She de-
termined to make the most of her op-
portunity.
Ada" she solemnly commanded,
"jest you 60 right on and tell us all
about this-don't you skip a word, I"
holding up one finger threateningly.
With dropping head and scarlet
cheeks, the abashed child continued:
Il was runnin' along on the sand, and
was jest stoppin' to turn round an 90
back, when | heard sOmethin', an |
looked up the bank an | saw the Super
tendent and Kate Murrey gettin' up
from seat; an u arm was round
her, an'-an' kiss't -an'-an' hug
ged her; an he kept his arm round
her, an they came this way, an | run
back-thats all
You re sure that's all?' urged Mrs.
Billing, anXiously.
Eyes, am" replied Ada, vehement
ly, from the folds of her mothers dress
81 want to know!' gasped Mrs. Shedd
What do you think of that" queried
Mrs. Blackman of no one in particular
Il told you Sc" " sharply retorted Mrs
Wyndam, arising as she spoke, pre-
paratory to spreading the news.
At this instant the couple under dis
cussion sauntered into view, calm, I'M
ruffied, and sedate, and only those who
had just learned their secret knew the
meaning of the glad light in their eyes
and the brilliant bloom on hittie's fair
face.
Il do declare, they make a purity
couple" whispered Mrs. BIackman to
her companions.
"Ye-es!' reluctantly admitted Mrs.
Ross; ''they do well enough"
And SO said all Clayford when it had
become accustomed to the fact that it
was really to be match; but little Ada
could never again quite reconcile the
solemn, dignitied Superintendent and
the proper young lady who sung like an
angel in Sabbath-school with the senti-
mental pair she had overtaken in the
Cods.-AR1a0h BikinSEt.