Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-04-03
A MYSTERIOUS ROBBER.
Why Aunt Cindy Spent the 10th of
March Away From Home.

"rnglng ner small Wrlnkled hands
pathetically;, ''to think that we shall
be obliged to spend the night in this
housed" She walked over to the
window and looked out at the storm
that was raging without. Sharp, cut
ting snow, that was almost hail, came
tearing down from the dull, low-hang-
ing sky, and, caught in the grasp OF
the strong west wind, was driven past
like gigantic army of soldiers, tall
and straight, marching on with regular
tread, their faces among the clouds.
There were occasional dashes of rain,
just enough to have made a tramp
abroad on such a night most dis
agreeable undertaking.
2 There was a CHEEKY fire in the wide
mouthed, old-fashioned fireplace,
antique furniture occupied various
places and positions about the room.
some old pictures adorned the walls,
and the door leading to the next room
standing ajar, revealed the fact that
a pleasant and comfortable sleeping
apartment was just beyond. AS the
house was a large, ancient structure,
and not at all ruinous, it is presumable
that there were other comfortable
chambers, not visible from the room
where our little group were congre-
gated.
There were four persons besides the
nervous little lady already mentioned;
three merry, glad-hearted girls, and
one tall, fne-looking young man.
IL think you are unreasonable Aunt
Cindy," said Dora Weston, who was
holding skein of bright-colored yarn
for her sister Alice to wind. Il think
this is the loveliest old place imagin-
able, and I am delighted when an in
vitation from your dear, charming
self calls me here. Ralph just dotes
on the place; don't you, Ralph?'
The young gentleman appealed to
smiled across at his vivacious sis
ter and answered in the afirma-
frmative. without having understood
her remark. He was holding a seri-
ously important conversation with
Aunt Lucinda's companion, a quiet
girl with large, soft eyes, and they
were standing in one of the deep win
dows, far removed from the rest. He
was just saying:
Il know that you are content with
your situation, Leila, but I do not
think you would be unhappy with the
one have to Offer" Then, more
seriously: 20 Leila, forget your
scruples, and be my wife now. You
have said that you love me-"
She laid one fir, shapely hand on
his arm, and lifted her earnest young
face, all a~quiVer with tenderness, to
bis as she replied:
believe me, Ralph, I am fully con-
vinced that it is best for us to wait a
year or two until you have established
good practice
~ did not know you were so mer-
cenary; thought you loved me for
myself" he said, a tride irritably; and
While be had no intention of permit
ting his light words to sound as if they
were seriously meant, still there was
an undertone of displeasure he failed
to disguise.
A grieved look swept across her
face.
II think it is BEST" she replied.
soberly, ''and believe me, Ralph, I am
only thinking of you in my decision.
You have never known want, and YOU
can not anticipate correctly all of it's
pricks and stings. You do not know
how tedious will be the hill you must
climb unaided. Your fathers recent
failure makes it necessary for you to
put your shoulder to the wheel and
taru the bread you eat I know what