Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-09-06

"Hilda rides out every day. Two
hours with, ahem!-a gentleman
friend"
Rides out, does she?" said Mr..
Webb. 81 guess likely it costs consid.
able to keep horses in New York. I'm
glad you and Hilda's rot so much
money to spare"
I'm told" said Mrs. Murray, COM
placently, that Hilda's horse is one
OF the handsomest in the park. And
oil course young girl like her ought
to get plenty OF exercise and fresh
air."
Once more Martin Webb's keen
| glance circled around the room and
settled on Hilda's deeply suffused lace.
She went out. with word OF hur-
ried apology.
Hump" was his comment.
"Ies, nodded Mrs. Murray, with the
fluttered, fiattefed expression OF n
motherly old hen who has Just found
an extra fine kernel of corn for he
brood. ''My Hilda has got into some
remarkably good society. And en-
terrain hopes that she may marry
well before a great while"
Mr.. Webb took his eave-rather
abruptly, as Mrs. Murray thought
and the old lady, after carefully put.
ting away the generous gifts from the
! old farm, sat down to mend lace and
to dream again.
Reed Webb listened silently to his
fathers account of their relatives.
Going out iding every day with o.
grand New York gentleman" said he.
| Dressed like a princess! Father, that
does not sound like our little Hilda."
Cant help how it sounds" said
Martin. Its So That's all know"
"Then," said Reed, sadly, tits no
use my building that wing on tho
south side OF the old house? II won t
be needed now"
Not if you expect Hilda Murray to
live in it,"
"Hushl" said Mrs. Webb, who was
washing up the supper dishes with
true housewifely dizziness and speed,
making each teaspoon shine like silver,
each plate glsten like ivory, in the
| friction OF her homespun linen towel.
| There's some one at the door. Go
quick, husband"
'Why," CT led Martin, standing on
the threshold, "it's Hida-it's Hilda
| Murray"
But can't stay minute" said
Hilda breathlessly. "I've got to re.
turn by the seven-thirty train"
"liilda," said Reed gravely, "you
must come In. 1t is not right nor
seemly that you should be out alone
at this time OF night"
81 wanted Cousin Webb to know"
fatered Hilda. Il couldn't bear that
q
fancy that | was INDUCING in expen-
slve pleasure, while-while my mother
was SO poor. Her sight is failing, YOU
know; she is almost blind. She ian.
cies that she is earning something by
mendng lace, but she only spoils it
we should Starve Tiff it wasn't for
sons in Mr.. Dulany's equestrian
school. Mother doesn't know. She
would break her heart if any one told
her that went daily to the ring and
trained little girls and young ladies in
trsewoman-ship. She never can for
get, you know, that my poor father
was college graduate, and once went
to the legislature. So let her believe
Mr.. Dulany and THAT am taking
lessons. instead OF giving them. She
saw us once in the park with the class
OF young Ladies, and she was so proud
poor little motherl And Mr.. Dula nv
says am the best teacher he ever
had; and-oh"-with piteous clasp
ing OF the hands-"is it very wrong?
Is it? | almost fancied so, when [
saw Cousin Webb looking at me this
morning-a acting a lie!"
81 dunno about that, said Mr.
Webb, fumbling around for his pock-
ct handkerchief; "but | know you're
the incest and best gal l ever saw!"
"Hilda," said Mrs. Webb, pleading
ly Cannot you come back here to
VOLTS Corners? know your ma was
beset tog get to New York. She thought
poor dear, that fortunes was to be
made there hand over hand. But
surely, now"
Hilda shook her head .sorrowfully.
1--WE are too poor" she said 1--WE
cannot afford the expense of moving
again. And there is no house to be
had here now"
Mrs. Webb put her hand on her
husbands shoulder.
Martin" said she hurredly, "if
Hido really wants to get back by
the seven-thirty train, you must hitch
up the horse and take her ta the
station. And I'll 60 out to the barn
with you and hold the lantern"
Once out in the barn, Martin Webb
loked at his wife.
eliza, said he, do yor think our
Reed has any chanee?"
"lf he hasn't got chance now, he
never will have one" said Mrs. Webb.
81 tell you what, Martin, that girl is u
pearl OF great price, and l always said
So"
No sooner was Reed Webb left alone
with Hida than he spoke out what
was in his heart.
"Hilda," he said resolutely, "you
must come back. You can't live there
IN the great wilderness OF bricks and
mortar, and | can't live here without
you The farm is paying for itselfnow.
| can give my wife comfortable home;
and my wiie's mother also. Dear lit.
tie Hilda, say that you will be mine. "
Hilda burst out into q sudden gust
OF tears and sobs.
"Oh. Reed" she cried, ''if you knew
how often | have dreamed of coming
back here-if you knew how homesick
have heen-''
"Say heartsick, Hilda," he prompt
ed, ''if you want to make me happyl'
And, smiling through her tears, she
repeated the word:
''Ies, heartsick, Reed"
you will come back home, then.