The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-08-26

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said to her, in the most natural way
possible, "Minnie, the water lilies
are beginning to bleom. Wouldn't
you like to get some?"
"Oh, dearlyl' said Minnie.
"Don't stay out late, Minnie" said
Mr.. Lyon.
mo, papa" returned Minnie i'm
nocently.
And while Jack was making his
home with them while his own place
was under repair, and the two had
always been more like brother and
sister than cousins. Papa Lyon had
not. the smallest suspicion of any.
mischief brewing.
Well, there were no water lilies
brought home, though they were in
bloom. But Jack and Minnie had a
most earnest conferences down by
the brook, and there was good deal
of laughter mingled with more seri-
Gus words. I
Next morning, before dinner, Cap
tain Anterior arrived. He was not
very ugly, as Minnie had said, but
he was fifty-five years old, very gray,
and very stiff and prim. And to the
most casual observer a union be-
tween himself and Minnie Lyon
would be just about as appropriate
as one between solemn old OK and
"a frisky kitten.
But be came with the express un-
derstanding between himself and
Mr.. Lyon that before he left, Miss
Minnie's hand was to be promised to
him.
Mr.. Lyon had driven his guest
from the station himself, but he was
cut giving some orders when Misnie
came down stairs, and only Jack
was In the room, for which she was
devoutly thankful. She was quite
willing Jack should witness her re-
ceptisn of that visitor, but not will
ling to have her father present.
The captain rose with a Sinking
smile as she came in. Minnie march
up 10 him, seized his hand and gave
it a most vigorous shaking, while
she said loudly
"Why, hullo, cap! How dye do!
I'm jolly glad to see you, you know.
Why, you look awful fiy!"
The captains face showed his as
constituent, but he stammered some
reply quite out of keeping with his
usual urbanity.
And then Minnie pounced upon
Jack, whose mustache was twitching
curiously at the corners.
"Been introduced to my cousin
chap?" she said. "This is Jack, my
cousin Jack" -..
"Thanks. I have met Mr.. Lyon
before,'' said Captain Anterior stiff
fly.
"Oh, have, ELI? Well, Jacks a
bully boy with glass eye he is! We
have larks together, We dol"
Excuse me, Miss Lyon, do YOU
might you refer to- birds?' said the
captain, nervously.
"Birdsp What kind?' returned
Minnie, pretending not to under
stand. ooh, larks! Not much! You
don't tell me you couldn't tumble to
that, cap?' .
T-a-don't often fall, if you
mean that said the captain, grow
ng red in the face.
"No?' said Minnie, artlessly. 81
say, Jack, amt he an old innocent P"
she cried, turning to Jack with an
air which sent him hastily to the
window, where he stood with his
baCk to them, and his shoulders
shaking visibly.
"Now, cap" went on Minnie, ell
enlighten your ignorance!' (Hor-
rors! he, the very pink of fashion in
the city, called ignorant by this
little country girlD "When 1 said
tumble I meant catch on see the
racket understand, you know?'
The captain nodded. blankly, and
his tormentor went on -
"And when said 'larks,' meant
picnics,"
'Oh, you have picnics. Yes, they
are very pleasant" said the captain,
mildly.
Splendid We have one in con.
temptation now, in which we want
you to SHARE said Minnie, wickedly,
while Jacks shoulders shook worse
than ever.
"Ah, thank you'll" said the cap.
tain. but isn't it-er-rathei
warm for that sort of thing?'
"Oh, no! it just suits u.s. said
Minnie. "Dosen't it Jack?''
Jack bowed, and the captain looked
grave.
"You see, Jack is my right hand
when We go in for fun" says Min
nie. but he isn't half so funny al
he was before he was engaged
/ Jack half-turned, with a glance oil
intense surprise.
/ "Your cousin is engaged, then p
asked the captain, stiffiy as before
"Oh. yes!" says Minnie. He's GO
a girl, but between you and me, sh,
dose not amount to much!" and sh,
tossed her head scornfully.
4 The captain looked Relieved
Mr.. Lyon was not engaged. Their
was no Irritation in that corner.