The McCook tribune., 1890-10-10
A PRETTY GIRLS WHIM.

S6 es and the avenues o.
pink wygelia tn a I
wound irregularly here and there.
1t was July day. A girl lay idly
in a wide luxurious hammock, her
bright head OH the soft tinted cush
ions, her deep brown eyes appraised
to the whispering leaves above.
She looked the ideal of happy con-
tent as she lay there in pretty lazi
ness, one slim hand dropping over
the hammock's edge. A great New
foundland dog lay on the grass be-
side her as she swayed gently to and
fro, toying afectionately with the
dogs great, noble head.
Sometimes he would open his al
most human eyes and look up at her
silently, with happy content that
matched her own.
1t was very pleasant there. The
book she had been reading had drop
ped upon the grass and lay with
crumpled leaves. A rosebud marked
the place.
Wilma Pierce, whose summers were
spent at her grandmother's quaint
old country home, had come here a
few days since, tired out in bodysand
brain as only a young, hard working
teacher can be.
Already the soothing quiet of the
lovely place had done her good. and
the brightness of complexion and
the litheness of form. which had been
impaired by the last years hard work,
were returning to her.
A silvery haired, sweet faced old
lady came out of the the wide hall
door with a light wrap in her hand.
She approached the hammock with
anxious solicitude in her kind, old
face.
''Child, it is cool for thee here, thee
must be more prudent with thyself." ="
She wrapped the soft, gray shawl
about the girls shoulders with loving,
motherly hands. Wilma looked up
and smiled protestingly.
at ISM 'tchilly, grandmamma, dear
but / submit -
She took the wrinkIed old hand
in hers and held it gently against
her warm cheek.
The old Quakeress bent her state
ly form and left a soft, swift kiss up
on the girls forehead.
Il must go in, dear Ieart: thee
had best fall asleep for little if thee
can."
The soft, gray gown swept away
across the grass, and the wearer
stopped beside the door to pull n
sweet. white rose that stretched
temptingly toward her.
She went in, and the girl and her
dumb companion were again alone.
By and by she fell asleep. The
roses at her bare. white throat rose
and fell with a gentle regularity as
her breath came and went. 1t was
a pretty picture. Ronald Mitchell,
coming across the garden, thought
SO as he caught sight of it, and paus.
ed involuntarily.
The dog raised his great. shaggy
head and looked silent welcome
from his brown eyes. They were old
friends-Ronald the young farmer,
and Rebecca Northfeld's dog Don.
The young man stood breathless u
moment looking at the sleeper, then
with softer light in his blue eyes
and warmer tinge on his smooth
shaven cheek he went on toward the
house. He entered with the familiar
ity of we'll known and welcome
friend, and sat down easily in a big.
Anticipated rocking chair.
Rebecca Mortified came into the
room, her old face alight with well
come.
She came and laid her small hand
on lis shoulder. Ronald" she said,
"my grandchild. Wilma Pierce, is
come. Perhaps it is not news to thee?
She is good child, Wilma is, but l
fear she loves the world too well.
There is little of the Quaker about
her, Ronald"
He smiled. 81 saw her when l
came through the garden just now.
She is unlike you in her dress, but
her face has a likeness to yours"
They sat together in the quiet
room and talked a little while. All
at once a shadow fell across the
bare, white floor, and they both look
ed up. Wilma stood in the wide
doorway, her face a little flushed
with sleep, her eyes dewy like
child's after a refreshing slumber
She held yellow rose in her hand.
Grandmamma," she said, all TN
conscious of strangers presence,
as she looked half sleepily ut the
flower; s'grandmamma, what a love-
ly rosel just see how
"Wilma," the calm, sweet voice in
terrupted her, "come here. This is