Thomas County cat., 1890-07-24

"But I'd like ter tell yer" said Tom,
going with him to the gate, that Minis
got another feller a-cOmin' ter see her,
and marm mightnt like anyone else ter
come. D. yer understands.
And the newcomer smiled to himself,
and acknowledged that he understood
perfectly.
Minnie" Aunt Frances was saving.
'while you were out 1 had q letter
from Fred, which says that he cannot
be with us today, and it depends much
upon circumstances whether he comes
at all this summer. I am sorry, dear,
but feel quite sure he would not defer
the visit purposely. You do not mind,
1 know, otherwise 1 would regret it
much more than do"
Minnie laughed gayly, "Well, you
needn't mind it at all, auntie. l rather
think we all can live through the sum-
mer without his lordship."
II know how you feel, dear," Aunt
Frances said, with a tender glance at
her niece. perhaps if / were girl l
would resent much that my life has
shown me is best as it is"
"And you see how impossible it is for
me to love this man whom have never
seen, don't you, Auntie?"
AN O. course Min don't mind" said
Tom, thrusting his head in at the door
at this inopportune moment. "She
made out at first that she didn't like
that chap, but 1 know beans when 1
sees 'em."
So Mr.. Frederick Rogers spent much
of his time at the quiet farmhouse and
impressed himself favorably with Aunt
Frances; and the summer passed and
no one else came to disturb the pleas
ant days.
One day in late September Minnie
again stood with Mr.. Rogers beside the
cool, dark pool at the edge of the wood
where she took her first lesson in ''fish-
erman's luck;" but Tom was invisible.
Minnie was looking particularly charm
ing that day. Her face was flushed
her eyes bright as the sparkles on the
surface of the water below them.
Mr.. Rogers had been painting the
scene, and in few swift strokes he had
her there, too; her warm, sweet face,
her merry lips and all. Her arms were
full of late flowers, and one spray of
golden rod swept her face as though to
caress her.
"How did you manage to get me in
so well?" queried Minnie, with swift,
laughing glance up at him. "And this
spray of golden rod is quite perfect"
II got you in because it was you" :"
said Mr.. Rogers, with a forced laugh.
Il have something to say to you, Min
ME. VIII you listen?"
"How can help it ?" queried Minnie
but there was deepened color in her
face that spoke well for his success.
After while Minnie looked up, a
shadow of sadness on her face. 81
ought to confess little Mr. Rogers.
Somehow things have come of them
selves and given me no chance to right.
I'm not a country girl; I'm not Miss
Grey; I'm altogether fraud. I'm not
worthy of your love-of your par
dom
II can best Judge of that Minnie"
"And then the way 1 treated you that
first day-my dreadful rudeness-my
hatefulne. s.
1T was against me, you know"
"Yes."
"And if / am willing to forgive YOU
"But you couldn't forgive me-" she
cried; "it was too much for anyone to
forgive"-
4Not for love-" he said, and there
was silence for a moment.
Then, from behind the hedge, came
a shriil boyish voice quivering with
aughter: "IIi, hi. Min, you've got him
sect you keep him"-and the voice
broke off into peal of smothered
laughter, dying away into the distance
with the muffled sound of footsteps on
the rustling leaves.
While Aunt Frances welI Aunt
Frances was wise woman and said lit
tie, only wishing her niece all happiness
which Minnie understood when, at
her wedding, she learned that she had
married Frederick Rogers Colby!-J. K.
Ludlum in Springfield Homestead.
| UngracIOuSneSS.
UngraciOusness is wholly opposed to
all our ideas of good breeding. Its pos
SCISSOR will never come up to our stand
ard of a true gentleman or gentle
woman, although, possibly, was born
and well educated. The sensation of
| insecurity and of being on the lookout