Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-01-24
TIE sNowsTORM

,vhite grains of frost, swept along by bne
md. then another kind of snow begun,
coming in large, starry flakes, floating
5ovnward, like feathers, and alighting
non the groupd with all the easy grace
~ something alive aud conscious. The
sDow did not content itself with covering
he beaten paths; having begun by melt
inc on the scar turf and the spring
hedges, it finally chung there and heaped
itself up without spite or pause until
Inc whole landscape disappeared under a
uniform mantle.
Toward evening of the preceding day,
the sky had Redeemed for little while,
and the banks where the drifted snow
made blue shadows became still bluer;
then the sullen gray shut down again
over The evening star; light fell gray
over the white earth also, blank and
gloomy day succeeded, and the little
hamlets, not daring TO stir from their
frozen torpor, wondered if the world
we're coming to an end in the snow which
still continued to fall
Int,, last house in the village street
the door was shut with a wooden bar; a
thread of blue smoke rising from the
chimney mounted straight upward in the
still air; the only light in the building
came from the garden side, where win
dow opened upon the court yard. Under
the great projecting hood of the dark
chimney two young people we're talking
together, but their shoulders did not
touch, though they we're alone, their
hands did not meet, their hearts did not
beat III unison.
"Ihe old man has gone to town." asked
n 10 avt1la 81
probably not enough to express all his
bad humor, for he added to it morose
tone of voice.
Gle has gone after medicine for the
sick COW" answered the young girl, "but
don't believe she will wait for it; she
may be dead by this time. How he will
scold when he comes backW
"Why don't you go and see herY'
grumbed she young man.
She shrugged her shoulders. at Is
not worth while l can't do her any good,
and besides, it makes me feel badly to
see an animal suffer. would rather not
look at her"
She bent her head sadly toward the
hearth where a little fire of roots vas
burning, feeble and eager enough TO
satisfy the most parsimonious master.
They were silent for moment. few
fakes of snow fell down the chimney,
shining in their fall with all the coiors of
the prism, then exiting uished in the shes.
"Nhcn viii he come backY' asked the
young man.
"Atthree o'clock. The stage leaves in
an hour, he cannot be LATER sal d the girl.
"He viii be here IN half an hour" he
replied looking at the clock. "Listen to
me Mela, TO tell the truth have some
thing to say to YOU"
81 know what IL isl said the young
girl, with a look az pain,-you don't
love me any lons err
The young man, embarrassed, made a
movement Of hesitation, then, returning
TO his original idea he resumed with cruel
frankness: ooh, yes, | love you still; we
have been great friends, there is feet
ing left"
"Oh, understand you don't love me
az you did last St. Johns day; yo1 don't
want me for sweetheart any loDger.'s
He got up from the houely bench and
took few steps back and forth in the
room. well; NO! it is true" he said at
lasti "tt is not my fault, !, We cannot be
forced:
"Ihat ia not what you said when you
asked me 20 love you; you said that your
love for me deserved a reward and that /
ought 20 love you, obeyed you, and now
You tell me something else!N
"fas. it Is something else, said John,
g-oHluE more and more sullen. cone
wants sweetheart for little while to
pass away the time-then, when the time
comes, We must do as others do, and
marry"
Amelia arose from her seat with white
face, her eyes fixed upon the face OF the
man VINO was throwing her on, and who
lowered his own head, unable to bear her
gaze.
Are you going 70 be married." she
asked ia harsh voice.
la--my parents wish it, and / cannot
oppose them"
And J"
Whats Yo0f l didn't promise to
marry you IN the endr said the village
Don Juan, brutsuy.
NO! You promised me nothing"
Site ssi5.
Then you admit itS'
admit it!' repeated the young girl,
sNlug down again. Her slender little
vas NuahlHk even more WIN Tue
shame OF iesertiou than with the grief Of
love scurued. Il admit that you a.e
Hsat not to marry me, since I an only
ip7uollng bfough, up by charity, a
ant today in the house OF the old man
~Ao picked me up. Oh, no; folks do not
marry such girl as ! You are right,
''hn. Your intended is richly"
Him pretty wei cf,n answered John.
o-'ss-lue his moustsche with a satisfied
-aAnvr. Amelia was taking it well; that
Flt him in good humor.
And prettyfn
AS for thai, only -o.so!a answered the
o'eE scratching his ear. But we have
". pad The Wedding yet; that viii not be
-1tlS Easter; it takes them 80 long to get
.saaF Meanwhile, little 'Melia-if you
we can have good time few
81 longer. You ere pretty, -prettier
'-4l M Intended. Indeed you s-e!7
tried TO take the young git. by the
as to kiss her stained cheeks. STE
7r'Ang back and leaning back against