Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-06-16
MARTIN AND PANSY.

With the point Of his diamond spur.
MARTIN AND PANsY. -
1t was June, and beneath the trees
youth and maiden walked slowly
along. Nature was beautiful with her
tender green's and wild-fower tints,
and beautiful beyond cavil was the
eloquent face that Pansy Ludlow lifted
to the admiring gaze of her companion.
"'What's in name?' the poet asks.
think there is a great deal. Do you
know, that to me yours is the loveliest
in: all the language? Pansy-Hearts-
ease-you were fittingly named.
If Rollo Derwent's rich tones were
full of meaning. they were not more so
than his dark eyes.
Pansy blushed and dropped her own.
but though she strove with girls shy
ness to preserve an appearance of in
difference, it was a vain effort. for her
young heart was thrilling with q joy
so keen it was almost pain.
She had long known that Rollo al
mired her, now she knew that he loved
her.
And so, when emboldened by the
blush, Rollo placed his arm about her
and drew her to him, although no word
of betrothal had been said, innocent
Pansy did not rebuke him. For an in
slant the dark moustache brushed the
downy cheek.
"Darling!'' he murmured.
The end of the secluded path which
they were traversing was near at hand
and STOPPING, Rollo disentangled a
knot of purple pansies from his COM
panion's belt.
Il shall keep these forever, to re-
mind me of this hour" he said.
"Good-by, now, little one, until this
evening. will call for you at nine.
One more kiss.
1t was given, and they parted, Pansy
to retrace her steps over the woodland
path that led to her cottage home
while Rollo, his pansies upon the lapel
of his coat, went jauntily along the
high-road, satisfied smile upon his
face, and careless whistle issuing
from his lips.
There was great difference in the
social stations of the Derwents and
the Ludlows. A glance at their homes
would evince that, for the Widow Lud'
lows tiny cottage was not nearly as
large or as pretentious as the lodge
house at Derwwent Hall; but strange
to say it never once occurred to Pansy
that were Mrs. Derwent to be made
aware of what had passed between he1
son and herself, the storm would be
raised about that young mans head.
Pansy was poor now, but she had been
brought up as beftted the daughter Of
family that was old before such a
name as Derwent had been heard of.
Seven years before the indulgent
father and provider had been stricken
suddenly by death. Then only it had
been discovered that he had been too
indulgent for his own good or for
prudence. Making good income by
his profession, and not anticipating
such a sudden end to his career, he had
spent as he went, laying nothing by
for the future dark day.
The sky had looked dark indeed to
the widow when she had found herself
left with her young daughter alone
and poor, to fight the battle OF life as
best she could. The comfortable home
had been hidden farewell to, and with
the few effects they had been able to
secure the two had left the place they
had known and loved for another.
As Pansy approached her home that
afternoon some ono who had evidently
been watching for her opened tho gar.
den gate and came to her side.
1t was Martin Holmes, their boarder.
His face was so grave that Pansy be.
came filled with sudden alarm.
Had anything happened to her moth
err?
"Pansy, I wish you would come to
the oak with me, have something to
say to you that must reach your ears
alone
Opening tho gate, he stood aside fol
her to pass through, and then turning,
accompanied her to the little rustic seat
beneath the old oak that overhung
with its green branches one corner o.
the garden.
Full of wonder, Pansy waited fol
him to begin. What could he have to
make such wonder aboutp
She soon learned, and as she listened
the hot blood rushed to her cheeks and
her soft eyes flashed.
She waited till he paused.
! Then rising, her face pale as it had
been crimson, she exclaimed: ;,
i Martin Holmes, l despise you, as
do all euvesdroppers. and / repel your
accusations! Rollo Derwent is above
rcproach! He is gentleman, which
YOU are not, because"
HE is rich where / am poor" Mar
tin concluded for her. But motor
give me, Pansy, he goes on" hurried
"; Il do not attribute mercenary
motives to you, however they may in
; f1uence others. You think that this
man loves you. Oh, that could oper
your eyes to his true character! Pansy
listen to me, and do not allow yourself
to be deceivedl know of certainty
the truth of what have said, aud thai
Rnllo Derwent is only making a dupt
of you!'
:Enough!" Martin, henceforth 'yor
and l are not friends. It is the deptf
of meanness to SANDER another behind
his back!'
Martins eyes, too, flashed now.
''My tongue never bent itself to Sian