The Wahpeton times., 1889-08-08

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.Hilda sidss out ;, every day. Two
hours with. ahem!-a gentleman
"Rides out, does shes" said Mr.,
Webb. ~ guess likely it costs consid.
able to keep horses in New York. TIM
glad you and Hilda's got 30 much
money to spare." o., =, M..,
"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
70 got plenty Of exercise and freGh
Once moro Martin Webb's kesu
glance circlsd around the room and
settled on Hilda's deeply sufiused face.
She went out. with . word Of hur.
ried apology.
Eyes. nodded Mrs. Murray, with the
tiuttered. aettered expression Of q
motherly old hen who has just found
an extra fine kernel OF corn for her
brood: my Hilda has got into some
remarkably good so:iety. And en-.
tertain hopes that she may marry
we'll before q 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
tather's account OF their relatives.
"Goine out riding every day with a
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 80. That's all I know"
'Then," said Reed, sadly, .sit's no
use my building that wing on the
south side of the old house! Il Won't
be needed now"
"Not il you expect Hilda Murray to
"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 ellsten like ivory, in the
friction OF her homespun linen towel.
"There's some one at the door a.
quick, husband!"
"Why," cried Martin, standing on
the threshold, ''it's Hilda-it's Hilda
Murray!"
"But I can't stay q minute" said
Hide breathlessly. "I've 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"
~ wanted Cousin Webb to know"
faltered Hilda. IL couldn't bear that
he should think so ill of me as to
fancy that was indulging in sxpen-
sive pleasure, while-while my mother
was so poor. Her sight is failing, you
know; she is almost blind. She Tan.
cies that she is earning something by
mending lace. but she only spoils it.
We should starve if-if it wasn't for
tne money earn oy giving riding les.
sons in Mr.. Dulany's equestrian
school. Mother doesn't know. She
would break her heart if any one told
her that l 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 q college graduate, and once went
to the legislature. So welet her believe
Mr.. Dulany and THAT I 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! Aud Mr.. Dula nv
says I am the best teacher he ever
had; and-oh"-with q piteous clasp.
ing of the hands-"is it very wrong,
Is it! almost fancied so, when
saw Cousin Webb looking at me this
morniEg-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 saw!"
"Hilda." said Mrs. Webb, pleading.
" "cannot you come back here to
VOLTS Corners? 1know your ma was
beset toget 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.
eve 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 hsr hand on her
husbands shoulder.
MARTINI" 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 yor think our
Reed has any chanee?"
III he hasn't got q chance now, he
never will have one," said Mrs. Webb.
"Itell you what, Martin, that girl ia a
pearl of great price, and 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, s.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 ispaying for itselfnow.
can give my wife q comfortable home;
and my wife's mother also. Dear lit.
tie Hilda, say that you will be mine."
Hilda burst out into sudden gust
of tears and sobs.
"Oh, Reed" she cried, ''if you knew
how often I have dreamed of coming
back here-if you knew how homesicE
"Say heartsick, Hilda," he prompt.
cd, "it you want to make me happyl"
And amilino khro,,ol, hor To- ~.