Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-06-05
A MISUNDERSTANDING
Why Sylvia Told Her Escort She
Loved Another.

bOH GSt0udlH ADAAE1-
who are you taking?
sylvia Merigoid.
OH said Reuben Bassett.
The single word was uteered so de-
spondently that Benham looked up &C
his cousin In manner half question
ing, half quizzieal
Blushiug ike a girl Reuben met the
glance
You seem 10 have all the luck, Bob"
Il don't think its 50 much luck as
pluck, averred young Benham with
laugh.
The mirth Of Christmas was over. Tho
milder exhilaration Of New Years Day
was also a thing Of the past. January
was contemplating abdication in favor
Of February. The day was bitter and
brilliant. The glitter of the frozen
snow and the intense and cloudless
blue Of the sky made ones eyes ache.
1t was Saturday, and the main street Of
tho little country town was crowded
with teams, saddle-horses and ponder
Gus farm wagons
just outside the post-ofice- which
was also a general store Bonham and
Bassost had met They were typical
young Western farmers, high-booted,
slouch-hatted, roayhlg-c.ad. But their
attire beliod their prosperity. They
were singularly alike in appearance.
Both were tali ana heavily built. Botb
were beardless. and lad the same reg
ular, ii rather heavy features. And
both spoke in the same deep, quiet
voice. But while Remnants whole man
ner and expression indicated jaunty
self-conddenee, Bassett's were gentle to
the verge Of tjmidity.
Look here, Bob, said the latter, sud
denly, are you in earnest in that quar-
ter2"
Why
only this had an idea you were
engaged 10 Lille Dix, that pretty little
schoolmarm back in Illinois.
''Yes" answered Bob, simply and
squarely u am.
Then why, demanded Reuben, in
quick evaporation, are you taking
Sylvia Merigold around2'
For several reasons" av0wed Ben
ham. promptly In the first place she
is nice little girl; in the 5econd, the
MeriEolds are our nearest ne- ghbors: in
the third, she has no one but me 10 take
her anywhere Her folks don want her
to 90 out witch the Corey boys, and she
likes amusement. Sol take her ButIm
not in love with her and she's notin love
with me
Reuben looked relieved, but not con-
vinced
Does she know about Lillie2'
No, but Id just as soon she did. I'm
to be married in the spring.
That so?a cried Reuben, with a de-
lighted smile.
They shook hands heartily.
$50 YOU needn't trouble yourself to be
Jealous OF me- declared Bob. nodding
pleasantly Why in the world don t
You ask her to 90 to meeting and to the
literary with you? ! shan't stand in
your way.
..Oh, She woaldn IL
How 10 you know?"
she never has word to say to ne.
s.As far as I've seen, you never have a
word is say to her You are dumba an
oyster VII, n you meet her. And l notice
you hardly ever ask her to dance. What
YOU need, Ruhe, is nerve.
Reuben laughed, thrusting his hands
deep down in his overcoat pockets.
Perhaps So"
Tell you what, said Bob, suddenly
struck with an inspiration 'y9p go to
the literary tonight and take Sylvia
II with gasp.
YOU We can fix in this way: III
cali and tell her that have to 60 70
Grassland tonight. and that you viii
take her n my stead. How's that?'
Reuben rad grown radiant.
..Grand for me But she. stammer-
| ing sadly. she wouldn't like II.
! Try. suggested Benham. dryly
/ some further conversation they had
/ on the subject Then they separated.
And Reubens heart was lighter and
more houefu} than It bad been for many
day.
Tie crowd melted away. the town
4 street was deserted nark aad cold the
nirht closed III When capped. coated
ana muMed Reuben Bassetc jumped
/ inty his cutter ana 3ro> oa in ghc dl
! reCTE8W Ot ts4a AlcIiSaiA9 tts9 tt@t'ef' 49,
beating rapidly. How would She re
| ceive him. Would she be angry and re
fuse to go2
But sylvia. calmlydressing in herowr
little nest Of room up under the cave
Of the old farmhouse, had ne thy ght Q
being angry and no intention q refus
ing 10 20.
jingle, sangle' jingle.
She was JUS, completing her toile
when she heard the CHEEKY sound Sh'
stood on tip-toe and glanced at hersel
in the mirror, a blackboard and ancien
piece of furniture, which, truth t. tell
gave back a rather distorted reflection
Of the pretty young face consulting il
But sylvia was acquainted with It
peeuliarities and never unre>ervediy az
cepted lis verdict Now she nod3e
caylv tothe wavy countenanee confront
ing her.
You lock very nice. sylvia, -
said.
She was trim ana ~I50 and 6arl