Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1886-12-23
NONE BUT THE BRAVE.

Mayne gaily, tossing two white enVe-
lopes on the centre table hastily.
Quiet, puzzled Aunt Elaine Talmadge
looked up at the bright and spirited
creature before her, laid aside her clus-
Ter of tucked hand-work, wiped her
Spectacles and glanced at the conspicu-
Gus miSsives with an odd smile.
Both epistles were proposals of mar
riage. One was from wealthy, hand
some young merchant in an adjoining
city; the other from her fathers engin-
eer.
What presumptionT' cried Laurel,
wrathfully, pouting her pretty lips. "a
common workman daring to aspire
to the hand of his employers daugh-
terri
''You must admit, Laurel, dear, you
rather encouraged Clarke Hawthorne's
attentions, although, as you say, be is
only workman in your fathers mill,
having an aged mother dependent on
him for support, He will make his
mark in the future, feel certain"
II encouraged him?" responded Laur-
81 in open-eyed wonder, her crimson lips
curling scornfully, an angry light deep
ening in the sparkling brown eyes.
always spoke courteously, even pleasant
ly-"
"And talked to him by the hour when
ever you went down to the MILL" said
Aunt Elaine gravely.
That was only to pass away time,
Auntie dear. Why, girl would die of
ennui without someone to talk to in this
quiet village"
you never stopped to remember,
Laurel, it was dangerous to the piece of
mind of young. impulsive. warm-heart-
ed fellow like Clarke, to be thrown, al
most constantly in pretty young girls
society for nearly two years without fall
ing desperately in love with her. If
you should ask my opinion which of the
two you should actually choose, my
preference would be Clarke Hawthorne.
For if you married Arthur Lennox, and
his wealth should take wings, what
would become of your There was some
thing in his dandified manner that
always disliked."
Aunt Elaine Talmadge rose as she ut
tered the fatal, prophetic words
She was a quaint, kind, spinster who
rarely ventured an adverse opinion.
No wonder her willful niece gazed
upon her in surprise as she jerked out
the words meaningly and sharply. gath
cred up her sewing, and hastily left the
room, slamming the door after her.
1t was no hard matter to decide which
OF the two lovers pretty Laurel Mayne
preferred.
Without a second glance the work
mans letter found its way into the bed
Of glowing Goals that burned and flick
cred in the CRATE.
Over the other missive-a gushing,
closely written epistle-Laurel sal
dreaming, as girls will. of the handsome
hero who had lately penned it
"Arthur will come tomorrow for his
answer" she murmured softly.
One glance into that rosy, dimpled
face would tell the reader what that an.
GWer was to be.
''And as for Clarke Hawthorne" she
continued ruefully, II shall laugh him
out of the matter, scornfully, as if it
were joke. What would Arthur say,
with his fastidious tastes and set ideas
OF equality, il he ever dreamed this man
had dared"
Laurel! Laurel! Where in the
oAO JOu1 nave De6u lOOkluO
everywhere for you"
Laurel had just time to press kiss
upon the envelope and thrust it into
her pocket as her mother hurriedly en-.
tered the room.
Here is a telegram from your father,
DEAR" she said, saying he cannot re-
turn home from Ashford tonight Mr..
Hampton. your fathers partner, expects
your father to night; so YOU must run
do71n to the mill with this telegram.
Laurel; and make haste, for he will
wait till dusk, fear"
There was no one else to send, while
Laurel had no other alternative than to
tie on her straw hat, pick up the tele-
gram, and whisk down the path to the
mill
The great golden sun had set behind
the feecy clouds that skirted the west
ern horizon, giving promise of delight
ful june evening.
III Arthur were only here to enjoy
this pretty sunset" she sighed aloud.
Arthur is here" cried a voice at her
elbow.
And turning, she saw, with travelling
satchel in hand, the hero of these
fancnul Air-castles standing before her,
Smiling
IL thought you would not be here
Till tomorrow" exclaimed Laurel, blush
ing rosily.
." could not remain away until to-
morrow: answered the young man gar
~ "Wlll you give me an answer TO my
letter now. Laurel. darlingP"
Woman-like, the young girl replied
Shyly:
mot now, please. will think il ov.
Or and answer you tomorrow"
In after years, when she looked back
with Shudder upon that evening, she