Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-07-12

IlneS IlldL HGE llIS NC opCAS III
dreams.
One morning she sat in the garden max
ing faint pretense at work, but the needle
had fallen, and the white hands lay istless
and still. She sat under the shade of a
large eIm-tree, and the sunbeams falling
through the green leaves were like halo
around her. frightening her marvellous
beauty. She was engrossed in her day.
dream of that golden future, when the
little maid-servant came to tell her that q
gentleman wished to see her.
She rose hastily, a crimson flush on her
fair face A gentleman to see her! Who
could it be?
Before she had time to ask the question,
she saw a gentleman entering through
the garden gate. He advanced toward her
and bowed.
"Have the pleasure of addressing Mrs.
Waldron" he asked.
He was so different from the people she
had passed her life among that she blushed
and hesitated. She could not help no
ticing that the stranger was watching her
intently, and that his eyes fingered on her
face with an interest that was not curiosi-
ty; he was studying every feature; and
when she spoke he listened eagerly to
every word.
81 must apologize" he said, "for intrud-
ing, but the garden gate was open, and I
saw you here Time is very precious with
me. l thought you would pardon me If
followed the maid"
She looked at him as though she would
fain ask him who he was; but at that mo-
ment the strangers gaze fell on the lovely
little boy who was playing on the grass.
CHII ,lNn &c foo ba
made a hurried step, and then stood still
ais that your child-your son-Mrs.
Waldron2" he asked, eagerly.
eyes," she replied; that is my baby
boy"
81 am very fond of children" said the
stranger; will you let me nurse him'"
He took the child in his arms, and looked
just as intently in his face.
'He is noble boy" he said;" prince
ly child. What is his name, Mrs. Wal
dron2"
She forgot the irregularity of the in
terview in her delight at the gentleman g
admiration.
"His name is Lionel" she replied, 1--WE
call him Leo. His father wished him to
take my name, but would not consent"
Your name must be peculiar one If
you could give it to a boy" he said; and,
If Mrs. Waldron had looked more intently
at him, she would have seen that the sub
Ject was one of great moment to him.
my name is lsmay," she said, and at
the word IA strange flash of delight came
over the visitors face; and then Mrs. Wal
dron seemed to remember that she had not
yet heard the reason of his visit
Ibid you wish to see my husbandi" she
asked
NO." he replied slowly. "My object in
waiting upon you is to ask your permits
sion to make n sketch of this charming
little cottage"
Ismay looked up in delight
"A picture of my home" she said 81
think there can be no objection. Are you
an artist"
The visitor smiled a strange, peculiar
smile.
Not by profession; but am fond of
drawing"
Then slowly, and with great art, he
drew her into conversation. He told her
that he had heard her history and sympa-
JnIzed with ner. lie asked her If she re-
membered anything of her life before she
came to Ashburnham.
Il could not possibly remember" she
replied-'I was but three years old. The
only childish memory | have is, strange
to say, of my mothers hair-beautiful
brown waving hair-wth which ] used to
play, her face comes dimIy before me at
times. remember nothing more"
You were three years DID," he said;
chow do you know that2"
81 have heard Mrs. Hope say So" she
answered. when will you begin the
sketCh2"
Here 1t suddenly struck Ismay that per
haps Paul would not be pleased if he knew
how long this stranger had been in the
garden.
A slow smile spread over his face. A
shrewder woman would have OWNED at
once that he had gone there for an object.
and that the object was attained
with your permission, Mrs. Waldron.
Will call again, and then we can arrange
about the sketch"
After few more complimentary words.
the stranger withdrew, leaving Ismay fiat
tered, yet puzzled. What an interest he
had taken in heri How engrossed he had
been in her story, and how pleased he had
been with Leol She sat dreaming under
the elmtree, thinking of everything that
had been said, until the maid came again
to interrupt her; and then she grew
ashamed of herself
How much thought | am giving to o
Stranger she said. ut must be because
| so seldom see one"