The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-08-01

"Hilda rides out every day. Two
hours with, ahem!-a gentleman
| friend"
"Rides out, does she2" said Mr.,
Webb. II guess likely it costs consid-
able to keep horses in New York. Pm
glad you and Hilda's got so much
money to spare"
"Tm told" said Mrs. Murray, COM
placently, "that Hilda's horse is one
OF the handsomest in the park. And
of 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 face.
She went out. with word of hur-
ried apology.
Hump" was his comment.
eyes, nodded Mrs. Murray, with the
| futtered, fiattered expression of
motherly old hen who has just found
an extra fine kernel of corn for her
brood. "My Hilda has got into some
remarkably good society. And l en-
tertain hopes that she may marry
| we'll before great while"
Mr.. Webb took his leave-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 riding every day with
grand New York gentleman." said he.
Dressed like princess! Father, that
does not sound like our little Hilda."
Cant help how it sounds" said
Martin. "It's SO. That's all know"
''Then," said Reed, sadly, "it's no
use my building that wing on the
south side of the old house? It won't
be needed now"
"Not if you expect Hilda Murray to
live in it,"
"Hush!" said Mrs. Webb, who was
washing up the supper dishes with
true housewifely deftness and speed,
making each teaspoon shine like silver,
each plate gllsten like ivory, in the
friction OF her homespun linen towel.
There's some one at the door. Go
quick, husband!"
why" cried Martin, standing on
the threshold, ''it's Hilda-it's Hilda
Murray"
"But l can't stay minute" said
Hilda breathlessly. "Tve got to re-
turn by the seven-thirty train!"
"Hilda," said Reed gravely, ''you
must come IN. 1t is not right nor
seemly that you should be out alone
at this time OF night
"I wanted Cousin Webb to know"
faItered Hilda. Il couldn't bear that
he should think so i'll of me as to
fancy that was indulging in expen-
sive pleasure, while-while my mother
was so poor. Her sight is failing, you
know; she is almost blind. She fan.
cies that she is earning something by
mending lace, but she only spoils it.
We should starve if-if it wasn't for
the money | earn by giving riding les
sons in Mr.. Dulanv'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
} horsewoman-ship. She never can for
get, you know, that my poor father
was college graduate, and once went
to the legislature. So we let ner 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 mother! And Mr.. Dula ny
says am the best teacher he ever
had; and-oh"-with a piteous clasp
ing of the hands-"is it very wrong2
Is it? almost fancied so, when I
saw Cousin Webb looking at me this
morning-acting a lie!"
II dunno about that, said Mr..
; Webb, fumbling around for his pock-
ct handkerchief; "but I know YOU'RE
| the incest and best gal ever sawl"
"Hilda," said Mrs. Webb, pleading
i. ly cannot you come back here to
Volts Corners? know your ma was
beset to 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.
: ''We are too poor" she said; I've
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
Hildo really wants to get back by
the seven-thirty train, you must hitch
: up the horse and take her to the
station. And I'll go 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 vor t TX our
Reed has any chanee?"
''If he hasn't got o chance now, he
never will have one" said Mrs. Webb.
"Itell you what, Martin, that girl is u
pearl OF great price, and l always said
So"
No sooner was Reed Webb left alone
with Hilda 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.
!, l can give my wife comfortable homes
, and my wife's mother also. Dear lit
, tie Huda, say that you will be mine"
allda burst out into 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 BEEN
"Say heartsick, HiIda," he prompt
ed, 'if you want to make me happyp'
And, smiling through her tears, she
I repeated the word:
eyes, heartsick, Reed!"
You will come back home, then,
II will"
And by that time the old horse was
at the door Tor the seven thirty train,
the question was settled.
Reed himself took Hilda back to
: the city fiat, and there pleaded his
} cause with Mrs. Murray.
"It must be as Hilda decides" de.
eiared the old lady, with dignity suffi-
clent for crown princess. "Though
there's no doubt but that she could
make a brilliant match in New York.
} "Motherl' urged Hilda, piteously.