Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-12-05

shall not say it!'' she cried out. implcr-
ingly. She would have added more.
but / stopped her.
Listen first to mel" cried, eager
". 81 love you truly have been
learning that lesson for year and
would make you my wife; would take
, you away from the past, and would
give you brighter. future. / know
what you would say-that you are
poor, young, uneducated and parent
less-that l know but little of you or
your history. True, but you know
still less of mine. It is enough that l
love you. The rest, time can rem edy.
Barbara, will you be my wife?--not
now, but sometime in the future?" and
gained possession of her hand again.
She did not answer, but could feel
her tremble at my touch, and in the
silence ] drew her yet closer, whisper
ing tenderly:
''Can you not love me little?"
Her answer was spoken very low.
but heard the words: "Oh, Fred, I
do!'' and clasped her closer in my
arms, kissing away the tears in her
dark eyes, lost for the moment to
every thing save my love. IT,.
1t was an hour later, perhaps. when
We walked up the dark road together
lonely no longer as we talked of the
future-walked slowly on, up toward
the little house, with the light still
streaming from the one upper window.
I noticed it again, and asked:
Whatever brought you out alone on
such night as this?'
Nothing very Serious" was the
lightly-spoken answer. 'Only Uncle
John had q visitor'-I bent lower to
catch the words-"and didn't want me
around. It was early for retiring, sc
l came out for a walk, as I often do,
not expecting, of course, to meet with
any one on this lonely road"
I'm which you were happily disap
pointed"
Eyes; it will never seem lonely any
more"
I glanced up once more at the light
now drawing very close.
! ''Who-who is the visitor?" I ques.
toned, endeavoring not to exhibit any
especial interest.
They call him Mr.. Talcott,'" she
replied.
In spite of myself, I gave sudden
start at the sound of that name, an
noticing it, the girl glanced quickly uI
into my face.
'.Do you know him?" she ques.
toned.
hesitated an instant, debating il
my own mind what was oest to say
how far should trust her.
Il believe I have heard the name
somewhere" I replied, evasively; ''i1
has, at least, familiar sound;' an6
then spoke carelessly of something
else.
At the doorstep we parted, for ]
knew better than to expect an invita-.
ton within, and SO turned away. She
stood there watching me until ha6
passed beyond the gate, then she en-
tered the house and softly closed the
door.
As heard its latch catch, I turned
and retraced my steps toward the
house-not straight up to the front en-
trance this time, but around through
the high weeds I carefully picked my
way. The light I had noticed came
from all uncurtained window in the
second story, and paused a momen,
to more thoroughly study the ground.
A small porch, lined With lattice work.
stood before me, and crept forward
and examined it carefully.
you'll do" muttered, after a brief
investigation of its strength. Now,
MIR. Jack Talcott, Well try and see
what you look like
took a moment to examine the re-
volver I had purchased that very day
in Edgewood. and then carefully, inch
by inch, first finding Judgment for hand
and foot, I worked slowly upwards un-
til I finally rested. lying at full length
on top of the rather rickety old porch.
The window was now just before me,
but was still long time in dragging
my body over the loose and creaking
boards so as to look in. Then, care.
fully keeping beyond the narrow range
OF light, saw that which caused my
eyes to blaze with triumph and excite.
| ment
1t was small, low room, miserably
furnished, and lit by one poor oil lamp,
which cast a dim glare over the faces
of two men seated opposite each other
at common deal table not overly
clean. Between them reposed black
bottle and two glasses, together with q
stack of United States bills, evidently
fresh from the press.
The worthy who sat facing more d.
rectly towards the window had high,
partially bald head. narrow, slop ing
shoulders, and extremely long, nerv-
GUS hands. His thin, foxy face was
partially concealed BY a heavy black