Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-16

Vt seeking another home So it was settled
hat she should stay. As to services, il
she would read to them occasionally, OF
play or sing, and accompany them in THEN
rides, 1t was all they expected, and the
salary would still be the same.
Amy could not say No" She loved
these people. who seemed to take the place
of her parents and was never happier
than when contributing to their hap
piness.
Auguste was travelling, out the fond old
pair kept him in continual remembrance.
Sometimes came little packages filed with
presents for pere and mere. Once an
exquisite little picture was sent to
Amy herself, giving her inexpressioe
delight.
When the summer came round again,
she went over to the resting place of the
two sweet children to place flowers on
their little grave, and it was there, when
Auguste returned one day. that he sur.
prised her. Looking up at the sound OF
footsteps, Amy uttered glad cry and
then drew back, her facessutfus'd with
crimson,
81 wished to see you and they sent me
here, he said ,tf ly, as he held her hand
Sweet Amy, in he presence, 1t may be
of our two angels tell you that love
you; that from the nrst moment | saw you
have loved you; and | want you to be my
wife
Amy stoo. silent and quite unable to
speak, almost overcome with the emoti ms
that crowded upon her heart Love! she
knew now that she had worshipped him;
that every hour of the day, every moment
indeed, that thrilling, empowering con
seriousness had been present with her,
though not acknowledged by herself.
The tall, handsome man standing there
seemed in her eyes a very god. Love
him! how could he stoop to love so small,
80 lonesome, so insignificant creature as
she felt herself to be in that supreme mo-
ment?
you don t speak, Amy?'
The low voice thrilled her.
"What can ! say?"
Say you love me, child; that is all
ask. "
She glanced up, and the next moment
his right arm EMBODIED her, and her face
was hidden on his shoulder.
The old folks were delighted when they
heard the news, and called her all the
sweetest of pet names From that moment
she was looked upon as daughter.
And now the world was very beautiful
to Amy. Sunshine and shadow, clouds
and blue sky, all had significant lowell
ness of their own. The marriage was to
take place in six monChs. and happy Amy
was busy upon the bridal outfit.
what gloomy ring!" she exclaimed
one day Us she turned a large seal-ring up
on Auguste' S little finger.
1t is of some value, nevertheless, he
responded; and his brow clouded slightly
as he looked at it.
How curiously it is shaped. | never
saw stone SO black"
Purple, my Amy, see!' And he turn
ed it to the light.
"Oh, yes, purple; but one would never
think tit looks dead black.
Auguste was silent and thoughtful
After a little while he arose and slowly left
the room. Amy gazed after him, wonder
ing at his woodworking why be had
not kissed her. For several days, al.
though his manner toward her was even
more. tender than before, he seemed lost
III TTUugfTT, TTTU OTTUT I9TT IN TGTtTTEs. 0H1
morning he met her before breakfast
equipped for travel.
Say TO my parents that | am not to be
gone only for a short time-two weeks
at the furthest, che said, taking hold Of
her hand.
"Bnt where are you going, and why IN
this secret manner? Dear Auguste why
are you so c. anged SO silent?'
at is a matter that cannot tell you
10 q
father, and merely say that am going Oh
business.
"And you would have gone without see
ing me- asked Amy, grievingy.
II wrote you, love. You will find the
billet in the book we are reading together
And, now, no more questions my darling
Trust me.
He then kissed her passionately and was
gone.
What can it be-" nurmured the girl
tears filling her eyes ''Why has he gone,
and what has troubled him for for so many
days. Oh, what misfortune can be impend
ing2 My dreams are frightful, anC
luguste is changed"
All that day she moved around listless.
ly. The evening passed more pleasantly.
She sang Auguste's songs, amused the two
old people with her merry chat, begulling
them to sit much beyond their accustomed
hour.
I'VE must see to the fasteniIgs,' said
old Mr.. Laporte ''Auguste has taken
such care of us, that we are growing care
less. Come daughter, go over this floor
with me. The servants will see to the
rooms below"
He went round. Amy following, while
he tested the doors and windows. The
girl could not have told why, but she
shrank at the opening of every door, and
it troubled her to see the shadows. She
had never thought of such things before,
and was thankful when she had received
the goodnight kiss, and retired to her
room at the end of the same passage that
led to the bed-chamber of Mr.. and Mrs.
Lapo1te. There she sat down by the win
dow, and unfastened the heavy coils of her
hair, dreamiIy looking out, and thinking
over the event of the day.
Suddenly, just after the town clock had
struck II, a strange mutfied sound reached
her, which made the blood curdle in her
veins. Leaning forward, she listened in
tently. Again it was repeated ana this
time she was sure the voice came from the
quarter where the old couple slept.
Rising from her seat, her first impulse