The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-06-25

preference for Kate on Charley's part;
but Mrs. Wyndam was always inn
agining something that wasn't true, as
her neighbors said, and what she
thought did not usually add much
| weight to any current report,
However, as time wore on, these
'signs" became more apparent, and
the anxiety to learn just how matters
stood between the two became almost
an epidemic. Every inhabitant of
mature years had his or her private
reason for wishing to know. Parents
with eligible children considered posi-
BILE future alliances with the Brouse or
Murrey family; youngladies alternate
ly hoped and sighed, and their broth
ers mentally vowed to "make things
warm" for Charley Brouse.
At this juncture in affairs, which
threatened to become serious, Sab
bath.school picnic, the only public
amusement the church society ever in
dulged in, and to which even the store
sent it's 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 children's benefit; and,
to the credit of the elders be it con-
fessed, this holiday contributed not
little to their enjoyment-but the
keenest observer of face would have
failed to detect shade of any self.
sacrifice on the countenances 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 numberless
domestic details that made up the
sum of life in their little world. Then
the lake offered it's placid surface to
those who cared to risk their lives in the
few weather beaten boats drawn high
upon the beach; and the "forest pri-
meval' held many a sylvan retreat for
rustic lovers and places of conceal
ment for the boys and girls who scam
pered among it's shadows in the game
of "hide-and-seek;;" and it was amid
this scene, and while deep in the mys-
teries of this game, that little Ada
Billings, by lucky chance, was able
to throw more light on the subject en-
crossing the public mind than the
ablest OF Clayford's gossip mongers
had done.
Some spiteful women, who were not
warmly attached to Ada's mother,
said afterward, that Ada had follow
ed Charley and Kate in their ramble
to spy upon them, and that her moth
er ''set her up to it," but others de-
clared 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 au-
thority 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 stumbled upon scene that caused
her little heart to beat fast with
new sensation, and her eyes to open
wide like two big blue fringed -gentians.
In this state ofopen-mouthed wonder
ment 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, tear
ful and dripping with perspiration she
flung herself, face downward, into her
mothers lap.
"Whyl Ada, what ails the childl'
exclaimed Mrs. Billings, giving her a
vigorous shake. But Ada only buried
her face deeper and did not answer
Perhaps she's had fail-out with
one OF the boys, suggested Mr.. Ross,
good-humoredly.
"Or tore her gown, more like"
said another.
s'Ada, sit right up and tell me what's
the matter, this instant" command
ed Mrs. Billings, half impatiently, yet
with some concern in her voice.
Thus abjured, Ada slowly raised
herself, and still keeping her face hid
den by her hands, said between her
sobs:
I--saw--the-Supe Observation-Disclosures
| ing Kate Murrey y--boo-hool'
The circle looked aghast.
"Where? When?" gasped Mrs. Bill
| ings excitedly
cover there in the woods. didn't
mean to see it, " faltered the child.
1t was thrilling moment for Mrs.
Billings. The knowledge all Gaylord
was most dying of curiosity to learn
lay right here in her hands. She was
determined to make the most OF her
opportunity.
ADA" she solemnly commanded,
s'jest you 90 right on and tell us all
about this--don't you skip word,'
| holding up one finger threateningly.
With dropping head and scarlet
cheeks, the bashful child continued:
| 81 was runnin' along on the esand, and
was jest stoppin' to turn round an