Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-12-27

sing, or whistle some jolly air; quicken ms
pace and appear to force himself to an inter-
est in the charming landscape around him.
But. apparently, the same unpleasant
thoughts returned once more; look OF
despairing submission overspread his usu-
aliy cheerful face, and, with weary sigh,
he again resumed his slower pace and de-
jccted air.
1t may have been because of the glare Of
the sunlight, reflected from the brook that,
lust here. crossed the highway and, on the
RIGHT hand. broadened out into wide, rath-
or shallow pool it may have been that, at
tins particular moment, he had resolved to
make another effort to cast OF the gloom
which overshadowed him; but, as he turned
a curve in tho road, he suddenly raised his
ewes from the ground and looked before
him.
Starting back in surprise, he quickly con-
cealed himself behind sheltering bush,
and peered through its leaves.
Lost in deepest thought, one shapely hand
resting upon the neck OF her coalblack
steed-whioh was quietly drinking~at the
margin of the pool, 1.-The other holding the
bridlc-reins, stood young girl Of marvel
Gus beauty. She seemed scarcely older
than nineteen Her raven-colored hair,
loosened by the motion Of riding, fell down
in shining waves about her waist. Her
cheeks We're flushed with scarlet, and, from
beneath brow as pure as marble, her
dark, lustrous eyes gazed with calm yet
earnest expression toward the west, where
the red sun was fast sinking behind the low
hills.
Gentleness and repose, strength and in
teligence were clearly revealed in that
wondrously pure and lovely face. The soft
rays Of the sun lovingly threw about her
golden halo, and filed all the place with its
ruddy, warm light
She stood torgetfully, untilthe horse, hav-
ing quenched his thirst, turned his head to-
ward her, and gently whinnying, seemed to
ask why they waited longer.
" All Medji,n said she, atfectionatoly
caressing the noble animal who delghtedly
rubbed his soft nose against her cheek,
.tAh Medii, you watchful old fellow !
had forgotten myself"
Leading him to a high stone beside one Of
the many huge, gnarled oaks that grew
along tho way, she babe him stand still.
Medji, who seemed to have an unwonted af-
lection for his mistress, stood obediently
still at her word Her 1.-the and graceful
form, whose full, rounded curves betokened
health and frequent exercise, lightly swung
itself into the saddle. Al the WORD OF COM
mand, Medji bore Off his beautiful rider,
who disappeared in the direction from which
the young man had just come-a glorious
creature whom the very gods might have
lovedl
Motionless as a statue daring scarcely to
breathe and gazing after her with straining
eyes, stood the young stranger.
So deep had he been in thought, so far
away from tho present, that he had been
takon at unawares. The vision burst upon
him like shock.
Had it, at last, arrived the fatal momentl
That long lool1ed-for turning point in his
earecrl And that, too, when he least ex-
pected it,
Among those of his own lsith and kin there
occasionally appeared strange, ungovern-
able spirit which, sometimes, drove its pos
/ SCISSOR to great extravagances; or made
him man OF but one overwhelming lab
sorbing idea; and that idea so absurd, 80 i'm
practicable chat, after tho spirit left him, no
one could be more amazed at its evil spell
than the unfortunate person himself.
The yong man knew well this sudden and
alvays-unexpected, Berscr6-lille frailty Of