Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-11-05

Time does much toward healing such
wounds, and five years had made it seem
more like an unpleasant dream than a
reality, when the news of Wills return
came awakening the memories of other
Gays.
For once Mr.. Allen was weatherwise.
The snow had fallen through the night,
covering the earth as with a mantle. The
feathery fakes continued to come lazily
down until just before Il o'clock; then
there was a rift in the western sky, and
then when the old yellow sleigh stoodat
the door the moon shone as bright as ever.
''Ba careful, father and don't let Liza
beth eaten cold waiting for you" was Mrs.
Aliens parting injunction as she came to
tho door to see them off.
There was Just wind enough to lift the
newly fallen snow and send it IL little
whirls to lie sparkling and glistening a
few yards from where it had fallen. Rob-
in was in excellent spirits, and Mr.. Allen
declared as he drew up in front of the
village post-office, that the distance new
er seemed SO short.
Draw the robe close around you, dar-
ter and don't get tired waiting. I've got
to bargain with Sam Chase about that
stove, but I'll be back as quick as l can;
then we'll drive down to Burnham's and
get that book you mentioned"
With this and an extra pull at Robins
blanket Mr.. Allen was gone.
Father was right; the old sleigh is
more comfortable than the new one"
'LiZabeth thought as she nestled down in
one corner, drawing the robe more close
| ~ to keep out the puffs of wind that
tried to find entrance to all corners.
| While she was tucking the robe between
the cushion and the side of the sleigh
her fingers touched something smooth
/ like paper.
"One of fathers old receipts, he's so
| careless" she thought, with a fond
smile, as she drew 1t forth for inspection.
| But glance was needed to show her mis-
! take.
/ 1t was little yellow with age, unopen-
| ed, and addressed to herself in the hand
writing she knew so well. She could
scarcely trust her eyes, but there was the
familiar postmark-San Francisco-and
she was just leaning forward to read the
! date when gust of wind taking it from
her hands, deposited it at the feet of a
/ gentleman who was passing.
She dared not look up, but in moment
| he was handing it toward her, saying:
/ IL tiiiS J'ul -hISS hiieh'
At the sound of the voice, so little
the hot blood rushed to her face and she
had scarcely courage TO reply;
Il think SO. | never saw it before.
She felt the keen eyes search her face
there was n touch of scorn in the ques
tion that followed.
She felt that she must vindicate herself
and her answer came full and clear:
Il just found it in the old sleigh. / dc
not know how long it has lain there"
He glanced again at the letter; it must
/ be the same one; he knew the date sc
well. The tone was almsst eager now.
you never saw it before, Beth? You
did not receive it, my last letter, and leave
/ it unansw ered?"
Gould you doubt me WHIP" She was
looking him in the face now.
81 might have known better; but you
were Away so punctual, and when | re
ceived no answer to my last letter / was
too proud to write and ask an e1plana
ton. | thought that you had given me
up, like everyone else in b. Car
you forgive me for my want of conf
dence?'
But she needed not words for an an
swer
When Mr.. Allen came hurrying back
the old sleigh had two occupants. Il
was some time before they could ex
plair affairs to his bewidered mind
but when light began to dawn he ex
| claimed:
at was Jim; he's so careless! Lost
letter for me oncer'
Will was persuaded to accompany then
home, and it was a very merry party that
surprised Mrs. Allen by their early appear
| ance.
As soon as possible Mr.. Allen hurried
his wife off to the kitchen to unravel the
mystery, while VIII and 'Lizabeth rereaC
the old letter by the light of the hickory
fire.
What Ruth Miller would say, was
source of much anxiety to Mrs. Allen, I'M
til one day viii remarked, much to hen
peace of mind, that Ruth had been en-
gagged for some time to friend of his
in the west a gentleman she had met
some years before while visiting in the
city.
The house upon the hill Will and Liza
both call home, and the old yellow sleigh
well, as Mrs. Allen says, it's not every
sleigh that can boast of romance like
! that.