The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1890, 1888-08-25
N MISS GRANDSON.

game to us in the full glory Of au-
richest coloring, when October
f 9tten on every hill and vale in the
n yellow tints of fallen leaves, and
h Il Sthe pened richness of the Indian sun,
n "a atmosphere bathing oil in golden
spdor.
ss4 5s4 ntoter Ralph and stood on the YER
andas welcome her. and as she came up
4 tn "a white steps. the mellow autumn
MN flashing back from her golden
q seeming to hide itself in the dark
pf her wondrous brown eyes. she
N associated in my mind with the
8 husky beauty, the still glowing
u &or of that Incompatible month
SO always thought Of her, and
I so think of her today.
took her small gloved hand in mine q
\ n,omentwith few pleasant words Of vel
come then Ralph did the same.
&ere he reached it, which was not
mi ~ soon as he should have done, !
Il an unusual flush mount to his
L pme, fair face, and feared that he
danger Of losing his heart at the
10 our fair governess.
this rare creature was to be our
"a mess. Not mine nor Ralph's, for we
sA long past our school days, but we
1wo troublesome young sisters. to
6harge of whom Miss Grandson had
aNsled a long way Hers was q singu-
& las auty, the like of which had never
u before. Her complexion, one would
II tlin should be fair to match the bright
1dng gold on her hair. but it was not;
\ insts1d it suited her deep brown eyes,
andasas what can only describe as a
crearn0 olive. with spot Of richest Grim
son d either cheek.
Sheswas tall and graceful, with an air
tatkns half commanding and look, a
sshing about her, as have said be-
I fh&s which reminded me Of all the deep
sion of intensity of Octobers warmth
SNo1ed under her stillest haze.
1ch was Flora Grandson when she
4 6(le to us, and it is not surprising that
h's eyes fingered on her lovely face
he was compelled to turn them
n for shame's sake Time passed very
antly. We lived in the country, or
ratr. just outside Of stirring town.
sandwe could therefore combine the pleas
4 ureIof both city and country life.
Tow Miss Grandson enjoyed her out
Il #466E rambles with the children in the
I bft iantly tinted autumn woodsl Ralph
liSuently accompanied them, much to
\ annoyance. it seemed to me, who
ltohed with jealous eyes every move
r1e that indicated his growing interest
h tn charming stranger.
knew nothing Of her save that she
a southern city, and was thrown
eer own resources for support. But
luty spoke for itself. and felt con-
the moment that Ralph first set
ahiS Is upon her that sooner or later she
4 wg break his heart. wonder why the
4 ht never struck me that she, poor
hess. would be glad to win him for a
4 5h1 nd But it never did.
IRE was not the least sign of coquetry
ab0nt her. nor did she seem to care at all
for his attentions. She accepted them
qpte5N. smilingly. when she could not
chem. yet elways felt she would
he did not offer them. liked her
4 d, though I couldn't get over the
Hat she would be his fate.
day, very late in November the
slllSnhone radiantly and almost summer
\ warmth pervaded the atmosphere.
1eMpted by the beauty of the scene !
Sdonned my hat and cloak and went for
strollin the leahess woods had not
gone far when the sound Of Ralph's voice
struck my ear It was strained and des.
parting. and he was saying, ohl how ear
neatly:
N Gods sake, Flora, give me little
hopsIr
hive not told you there is none?"
hsard her answer, almost desperately; Il
deairet that you will never mention this
sub5ect again. Mr.. Percival"
Notscaring to play the eavesdropper,
Malked away and joined the children, who
wet9 playing some distance further on
Miss Grandson and Ralph had not seen
me, But my blood was boiling at the
thought of Ralph suffering through her
When | saw him again the poor boy
Looked as white and miserable as any
ghost The next day he left us for an in
definite time pleading some business ex
cuse. but | knew we'll what had driven
him sway. loved him dearly. and could
hardly bear the loneliness Of the house
aft4r.he was gone.
Aaast exasperated by her calm,
queenly loveliness. when my own heart
was aching so, vented my sorrow and
displeasure upon Miss Grandson. She
was ettting by the window reading. and
she Just raised her eyes to give me one
long. steady look. slightly mingled with
surprise. and then dropped them to her
book again without word then told
her what had overheard. and repeated
angrily that it was her fault that Ralph
had gone away
nm sorry" she said quietly, that
you heard what you did No one would
ever have known of your brothers dis
aplQ tment from me. But surely. Miss
PsAssal. you cannot say that have ever
e!iccsinged his unfortunate love either by
worttor look"
was forced to acknowledge that she
had not ~''o
But. since he did love you, in spite of
~. Why should you have refused him.
Nas Grandson? Is not Ralph young,