The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-08-09
CHAPTER XII.
CuURTSiIIP.

CHATTER XlI
CoURTsiIIr.
The second day after the picnic Mr..
Annclses called at the Parsons cottage,
and was met ut the door by Lucy and
invited into the sitting-room. Her de-
mcanor shovel clearly that his coming
was not unexpected, but whether it
caused her more pleasure than emhar-
to determine.
Mr.. Annclsey himself had no doubt Of
it, however. Had she not told him on
parting at the lake that he might call,
and was she not blushing and cmbar-
raised now? What better proof could
he desire that she was pleased and flat
tered by his attentions?
None, he thought, and he was corrc-
spondingly elatcd and became really
entertaining in relating his experience
in camping at the lake and at the mine
AN experience which to him possessed
all the pleasure of novelty.
Lucy had intended 10 tell her mother
and Jennie that Mr.. Annclsey had
asked permission to call on her. but had
not found courage to do SO, and. not
knowing at what time to expect his
coming, had deferred speaking of it,
hoping some opportunity would arise
without herself having to Introduce the
subject.
But although the family did not know
that he had requested permission 10
call, it is probable that they We're not
greatly surprised at seeing him. They
knew him to be in the neighborhood,
and perhaps others besides Erastus sus-
pected that his appearance at the picnic
was not purely accidental.
Although the young man had called
especially to sec Lucy, Jennie was per-
haps more pleased at his coming than
her sister. or than any other member of
the family. She liked him exactly as
she liked other young men who were
pleasant company, and hoped he would
remain in the vicinity and take part in
their occasional pastimes during the
summer; and she had none of Lucy 5
feelings Of being made conspicuous by
having been selected as an object OF
especial attention by him.
As for their mother, she saw nothing
Objectionable in the young man. He
was gcntlemanly, and appeared to her
to be a moral a other young men; and
what mother was ever offended that a
young man of wealth and standing in
society saw attractions in her daughter
which he did not see in the daughters
OF others?
Mr. Annclsey was given . cordial in
yitation to remain to tea: an invitation
which he was not slow in accepting,
nvI
both OF whom treated him courteously,
though the greeting of the younger
man was certainly not excessive in its
cordially; and who, "a soon rs The meal
was over. made an excuse to leave tho
house and did not return until Annelsev
had departed.
On the other hand, Mr.. Parsons was
pleased that he had called, and showed
it. He wanted to see him. He wanted
10 learn how the work at the
mine was getting on and how
soon they would probably be
ready To turn on the water and begin
washing down the hills. and his manner
was such as TO stll further imhac An,
nelsey with the idea that he was held
in high favor and that Lucy and her
/ DdiIIiS 1IiL hOuolta DS Ills AltCullOHS.
In reply TO Mr.. Parsons questions he
told him that the work on the tlume
which was 10 conduct the water to the
reservoir wa, progressing rapidly-a
portion Of it over two miles long having
been completed; that the remainin.
mile would be finished by the time the
tunnel and the slnce for carrying away
the debris and saving the gold would be
ready, which would probably be in
about three months, and that then they
would be ready for active operations.
| Not wishing 10 wear ribs welcome out
he declined an invitation to remain al
the cottage over night and returned I,
his camp by the lake, where his guide
awaited him, and Oh the following day
again took possession of the quarter
assigned him at the mining camp. which
already aspired to be called q town. +;
number of clapboard shantics and /:
lodging house with the usual bar-roor
attachment having been erected.
1t was not long before he was AGAR
at the Parsons cottage; and soon i
came to be expected that he woult
make one of any company of young
people that assembled for q merry
making in the ncighborhood. II he die
not always escort Lucy he spent u grea
portion of the time at all these gather
ings in her company, and her compan
ions were constantly reminding her il
a laughing way that she had captured
the young New Yorker, whom rumol
asserted was heir TO million or two.
All this was 4 source OF great annoy
ance to Erastus. and at times caused
him to appear less gracious, both to
wards Mr.. Annelsey and Others, than
was usual with him. With Lucy hi:
mood was changeable, depending a
great deal upon the frequency Of his
/ rivals visits.
If week or more elapsed without q
call from Annclsey. Erastus resumed
his cheerful appearance aud was sci
dom from home, spending much of hi.
spare time in the house, where HI
laughed and ioked with the girls in thu
old time way; but the appearance o.
AnnelScy was the signal for return o
silence on his part, and, unless Their,
was gathering Of the young folk
from which his absence might proyok,
comment, he remained rs little in tn,
company of the members of the famil,
rs possible, making an excuse Of pres.
of work on the ranch. or of an appoint
mcnt with some of his gentleman friends
to spend the evening out. If he die
not, on such occasions, visit Julia Ennis
at her fathers residence, Lucy fancied
that he did. and she treated Julia wher
they met, with much cordiality and ap
peared anxious 10 help on the intimac,
which she thought existed between hel
and Erastus.
Of MIR. Ensign the family saw moth
i'm. Once or twice some member hat
inquired of Annelsey regarding him
but that gentleman knew. or appeared
to know, little about him. Ensign wa
still in the employ Of the company, h
thought; perhaps swinging pick il
the .uanel; or may be at work on tn,
ilume Having nothing to do with tn,
accounts or directing the labors of tn,
workmen. Mr.. Annelsey could, he said
,cll nothing further about him.
Whether Mrs. Parsons was pleased a
the frequency of Mr.. Annclsey's visit,
or no. it would have been hard to tell
he treated him courteously, and APP