Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-07-28
sULPHER SPRINGS EsPIODE.

sULPHER SPRINGS EsPIODE.
II want to warn you about one
thing" said Mr.. Farquhar; ..don't 20
strolling off before sunset in the Low
er's Walk. It is the most dangerous
place. 1t is fatal place. I suppose
every turn in it. every tree that has a
knoll at the foot, where two persons
can sit has witnessed a tragedy, or,
what is worse, comedy. There are
legends enough about it to- fill book,
Maybe there is not a Southern woman
living who has not been egaged there
once at least. I'll tell you little sto-
ry for a warning. Some years ago
there was famous belle here who had
the Springs at her feet, and half doz-
en- determined suitors. One of them,
who had been unable to- make the least
impression on her heart, resolved to
win her by a stratagem. Walking one
one evening on the hill with her, the
two stopped just at turn in the walk,
l can show you the exact spot, with a
chaperon-and he fell into an earnest
discourse with her. She was as cool
and repellant as usual. just then he
heard party approaching; his chance
had come. The moment the party
came in sight he suddenly kissed her.
Everybody saw it. The Witnesses dis
creetly turned back. The girl was in
dignant. But the deed was done. In
half an hour the whole Springs would
know it, She was compromised. No
explanation could do away with the
fact that she had been kissed in Lovers
Walk. But the girl was game. and
that evening the engagement was an
nounced in the drawing-room. Isn't
that a pretty story?''
However much MIR. King might have
been alarmed at this recital, he be-
trayed nothing of his fears that evening
when. after walking to the Spring g
with Irene, the two sauntered along.
and unconciously as it seemed, turned
up the hill Into that winding path
which has been trodden by generations
of lovers with lettering steps-steps
easy to take but SO hard to retrace! 1t
is delightful forest, the walk wind
ing about on the edge of the hill, and
giving charming prospects of intervals,
stream. aud mountains. To one in the
mood for quiet hour with nature, no
scene could be more attractive.
The couple walked on, attempting
little conversation, both apparently
prepossessed and constrained. The
sunset was spoken of, and when Irene
at length suggested turning back, that
was declared to be Kings object in as
cending the hill to a particular point;
but whether either of them saw the
sunset, or would have known it from a
sunrise, cannot say. The drive to
the Old Sweet was pleasant. Yes, but
rather tiresome. Mr.. Mejgs had gone
away suddenly. Yes; Irene was sorry
his business should have called him
way. Was she very sorry? She
wouldn't lie awake at night over it,
but he was good friend. The time
passed very quickly here. Yes; one
couldn't tell how it went; the days just
melted away: the two weeks seemed
like day. They were going away
VIZ ASAo u"y' AlAS edAu liz Was
going also.
"And," he added, as if with an
effort, when the season is over, Miss
Benson, l am going to settle down
to work.
'T'm glad of that she said, turning
upon him face glowing with approval.
Eyes, have arranged to go on with
practice in my uncle office. Iremem-
Der what you said about a dilettante
!ife.''
"Why, I never said anything of
the kind!''
but you looked it. 1t is all the
same''
They had come to the crown of the
bill, and stood looking over the in
tervals to the purple mountains. Irene
was deeply occupied in tying up with
grass bunch of wild flowers. Sud.
denly he seized her hand.
''Irene!''
mo, no. she cried, turning away.
The flowers dropped from her hands.
''You must listen, Irene. l love
you'll love you
She turned her face toward him; her
lips trembled; her eyes were full of
tears; there was great look of wonder
and tenderness in her face.
lis it all true?''
She was in his arms. He kissed her
hair, her eyes-ah me! it is the old
story. 1t had always been true. He
loved her from the first, at Fortress
Monroe, every minute since. And she
well, perhaps she could learn to love
him in time, if ne was very good; yes,
maybe she had loved him little at
Fortress Monroe. How could he?
what was there in her to attract him?
What a wonder it was that she could
tolerate him! What could she see in
him?
So this impossible thing, this mir
acle, was explained? No, indeed! 1t
had to be inquired into and explained
over and over again, this absolutely
new experience of two people lovin e
each other.
She could speak now of herself, of
her doubt that he could know his own
heart and be stronger than the social
traditions, and would not mind, as she
thought he did at Newport Just lit
tie bit-the opinions of other people.
I do not DO any means imply that
she said all this bluntly, or that she
took at all the tone of apology; but she
cOntrived, as woman can without say
ing much, to let MIN see why she had
distrusted, not the sincerity, but the
perseverance of his love. There would
never be any more doubt now. What
a wonder it all is!
The two parted alas! till sup
per timeLl don't know why scoffers
make so light of these parting sat the
foot of the main stairs of the hotel gal
lery, jtst as Mrs. Farqubar was decend-
ing. Irene's face was radiant as she
ran away from Mrs. SFarquhr.
''Bless you, my children! I see my
warning was in vain, Mr.. King. 1t is
a fatal walk. 1t always was in our
family. Oh, youth! youlh!' A shade
of melancholy came over her charming
face as she turned alone toward the
sprine.-CHARLEs DUDLEY WARNER,
in Harper's Magazine for August.