Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-06-20

One morning Owen lost his way
in the labyrinths Of the
hymn- book. AS he was struggling to
recover himself pretty hand iii a
shabby glove-Louise's hand-held
toward him book with the place
marked by a scrap of paper. Owen
was uncomfortably conscious of BLUSH
ing rs he accepted the offered civility;
but it was so more than charming to
be noticed, even in the most common
place way. by her.
Tho bit of paper between the pages
was folded in two. He idly pressed it
apart with his thumb, and to his as
constituent read these words, evil
IDENTITY written in furtivc haste: ''Look,
tomorrow, in my uncle's hat-lining
when he comes to the office"
This appe cared. indeed. like the be-
ginning Of a most interesting advent
ure. and tho overture made by girl
whom he feared ignored his very ex-
istence! How he sat quietly through tho
sermon. and passed the rest of the day
and night until old Cruncher ap-
peared at his usual post next morn
ing. Owen never quite knew. When
he saw his patron deeply absorbed in
pile of letters. Owen: like coat.
and-umbrella thief stole out into the
passage where such articles were de-
posted. and possessed himself of the
old gentleman's sedate-looking hat.
There. as he expressed, he found
slowed away in the lining tiny little
note. With trembling fingers the now
hopeful lover laid smooth the compli-
Gated folds of the paper and read:
Please do not think me forward or presum-
ing in making the following request: am in
great trouble. Tomorrow evening at seven 1
meet me at the end of the lane leading past our
house-where the wood begins? LII.
For the first time since tho young
mans arrival at tho Office MI: Crunch
er had occasion to complain of his in
accuracy and inattcntion in his work.
The head of the establishment was.
however. guarded in his reproof. for
Stanley was available assistant, in
the main. and seemed content with as
tonishingly little pay.
The following evening Owen was at
the place of rendezvous fully half an
hour to soon. AS he was beginning
to despair of LOUISE coming she ap-
peared, breathless and greatly agitat.
ed.
What must you think of me-" she
began. making an appointment with
you. almost a stranger. at dusk. in
this theatrical manner"
"rm sure the motive for all your
actions is good" replied Owen, gal
lantly.
Il have strong motive in this case,
certainly" continued Louise. II
wish to ask your advice ON a matter
OF the utmost Importance to me.
have studied your face as much as
dared in church -Owen's heart gave
bound # delight. Then she had
looked at and thought about him!-
''and think I can trust you, and call
you my friend. have no other"
She looked so lovely with the tears
in her eyes, as she said this. that
Owen longed to take her in his arms
and kiss her. instead of declaring him.
self her devoted servant in plain
words.
Let us sit down on this fallen tree
and I will begin my story at the begin
ming. You men of the law are inn
patient of unnecessary preamble"
Louise went on, with bright smile
for = momentdispoling the melan choly
clouding her face. Last February,
now nearly four months ago. 1 was
travelling alone from here to Glover
on an errand for my aunt. My COM
panions in the compartment were a
very pretty old lady, an ordinary-look-
ing gentleman of about five and forty,
and a younger man. not ut all
ordinary-looking. &c had large. black
eyes, with a wild look in them, and
his dress and manners were quite diff
ferent from those of the people 1 was
accustomed to seeing He sat op.
posite me, and soon after the train
started began staring at me in most
annoying way
1.-The impertincnt rascal! How I
wish had been there to punch his
head!" exclaimed Owen. with warmth.
He perhaps did nothing to nerit
quite such severe punishment; but he
was certainly then, and has been since.
indirectly. the cause of a great deal of
misery to me. He amused himself for
some time with casting what I sup
pose were admiring chances at me.
pressing his hand to his heart and
signing profoundly. Then suddenly.
to my utter amazement, he threw him.
self OH his knees before me. declared,
in very bad English. that he loved me
to distraction, and, most startling of
all. tore off his worry handsome watch
and chain and flung them into my
lap"
1.-The man was mad, of course"
YES; we learned this for fact aft =
erwards. I looked at our travelling
cOmpaniOn-them middle aged man al