Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-06-25

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 its 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 ALL.
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 q scene that caused
her little heart to beat fast with q
new sensation, and her eyes to open
wide like two big blue fringed -gentians.
| In this state of Open-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 q circle OF
| Clayford's best people. Flushed, tear
full and dripping with perspiration she
flung herself, face downward, into her
mothers lap.
"Why! Ada, what ais the child!'
| exclaimed Mrs. Billings, giving her a
| vigorous shake. But Ada only buried
her face deeper and did not answer.
Perhaps she's had fa]l-out with
one Of the boys" suggested Mr.. Ross,
good-humoredly.
cor tore her gown, more like"
said another.
ada, sit right up and tell me what s
the matter, this INSTANT" command.
ed Mrs. Billings, half impatient!y, 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-Superintendent-kiss.
Observation-Disclosures"
The circlelooked aghast.
"Where? When?' gasped Mrs. Bill
ings excitedly.
cover there in the woods. Ididn't
mean to see it, faltered the child.
1t was q thrilling moment for Mrs
Billings. The knowledge all Clayford
was most dying Of curiosity to learn
lay right here in her hands. She was
determined to make the most OF hel
opportunity.
"Ada," she soemnly commanded
''jest you 60 right on and tell us al
about this-don't you skip a word, .
holding up one finger threateningly.
With dropping head and scarlet
checks, the bashful child continued
II was runnin' along on the sand. and
was jest stoppin' to turn round an
20 back, when | heard somethin', an
I looked up the bank an saw the
Super tendent and Kate Murrey gittin
up from q seat; an his arm was
round her, an hekept his arm 'rounG
her, an'-an' he kiss't her-an'-an
Rugged her; an kept his arm 'rounG
hei, an they came this way, an run
back-that's ALL
you're sure that's alp" urged Mrs
Billings, anxious]y.
eyes, l ami" replied Ada, vehement
| ly, from the folds OF her mothers
dress.
II want to know'' gaspetl Mrs
Shedd.
What do you think of that' quer
led Mrs. Blackman of no one in par
tlcular.
II told you So" sharply replied
Mrs. Wyndam, arising as she spoke
preparatory to spreading the news.
| AC CnlS instant the couple under dis
cussion sauntered into view, calm, I'M
ruffled and sedate, and only those who
had just learned their secret knew the
meaning Of the glad light in their eyes
and the brilliant bloom on Kittie'
fair face.
II do declare, they make purity
couple" whispered Mrs. Blackman tc
! her companions,
"Ye-es! ~ reluctantly admitted Mrs
Ross; "they do well enough
And so said all Gaylord when it had
become accustomed to the fact that it
was really to be q match: but little
Ada could never again quite reconcile
the solemn, dign1tied Superintendent
and the proper young lady who sune
like an angel in Sabbath school with
the sentimental pair she had overtak.
en- in the woods.