Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-09-05
MABEL JOYCE.
by M. Il. w.


age The front parlor OF the widow
]eyces cottage was lighted by single
lamp turned low. Mrs. Joyce, her
daughter Mabel, and the latter's ac-
copied sutton, John Andrews, We're dis
cussing what they should do the follow
ing day. After an interval OF silence
Mrs. Joyce stopped her mechanical
work of knitting and remarked:
WELL have you two made up your
minds what you are going to do?"
No." replied John, II can't get
Mabel to say what she desires. We
could go up the river to my mothers,
but she thinks rowing so stupid"
And 90 it u.s." remarked Mabel; cit
is slow and poky."
Now the fact of the matter was that
John had proposed the trip, and Mabel
did not care to give in at once.
She had an idea if she held out for o
time, and then appeared to relent. that
John would think all the more of her
condescension.
Mabel was an only daughter. She
had been reared by an indulgcnt
mother, her father having died during
her childhood. A loving mother had
gratified Mabels every wnim, Of which
she had many. She was the acknowl-
edged belle of Woodlawn, and many
were the admirers she had snubbed,
until The rising young physician paid her
attention, then she sobered down some
what, but still she liked to exhibit her
powers, which usually consisted of
making the doctor the victim Of some
caprice. He had often argued with her
on the folly of her conduct, but she al
ways laughingly turned it off.
"Ah, folks exclaimed voice at the
open window, what are you incoming
about in the dark ?"
Good evening, Mr.. Maxwell" said
Mrs. Joyce; won't you step imp"
Why, George, when did you roll
into town." exclaimed John.
Mabel, shaking hands with the new
conner, asked. "How's Fanny?"
ooh, she's about the same; in fact, it
was she who sent me in. She wants
morrow. There is to be church pic
mic in the morning, and circus got in
tonight, and gives a performance to-
morrow afternoon and evening. take
the 9:15 train for home; what shall
<ell my sister,"
Tell her we will come by all means,
exclaimed Mabel; "just the thing"
The next day the three went over by
train to Trevor, the town where the
Alaxwells lived. Mrs. Joyce and Mrs.
Maxwell were old school friends and
they concluded to stay home, while the
young folks went to the picnic.
Mabel was more capricious than
visual this day. She nearly drove her
Poor john, as she called him, insane.
The church picnic and bazaar was a
success; that is, very little was sold
FOR great amount of money; the
church leaders were satisfied, and they
supposed everybody else was in the
same condition.
In the afternoon George Maxwell, his
sister Fanny, John and Mabel attended
the circus. They gazed with awe at
the stuffed mermaid and regarded the
Zulu chief and spotted boy with admira-
ton.
Toward the end of the performance
the great "Hazak" was announced in
his wonderful feat of handling his
family of venomous cobras. Mabel
was at once interested in this yellow
faced. son of the East, and loudly APP
plauded his dexterity in avoiding the
stroke Of his serpents' fangs. She be-
came SO enthusiastic in regard to the
fellows bravery that George said jok-
lngly she ought to marry snake
,charmer.
and that's just what l intend to do, y
replied Mabel, "for am sure that John
will go into that glass cage and do what
Hazak does. Will you, John?" she
asked. as she turned toward him.
"Do understand that you wish me
to handle those deadly snakes?" ex.
claimed John.
Eyes, does it surprise you?"
sWell, must confess that it does"
'You ought to have as much courage
as Hindoo," said Mabel, who seemed
to be put out at her lover failing to
promptly comply with her latest whim.
80 do what you ask me would not
be proof of courage on my part; it
would simply be ridiculous. I would