Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-12-18
TWAS ALL A JOKE.

LUIS ilclu du Opeu lcttSE
her small. fair hand, and read it over
and over again before showing it to
her brother. Then, unable to answer
1t herself, she went into an adjoining
room, where young man sat paint
ING.
He looked up as she entered. and
laying aside his brushes. said:
Something you want, Loisp All
letter.
Yes" she answered. handing it to
him; Il wonder if | ought to GO"
We should very much like to ave you
c.Iu,c, and Rose will be at the station Satur-
d ~ night, SO do not disappoint her Your
loving aunt. JESSIE.
Inc young man read it over, then,
turning to his sister again. said quick
":
Yes, Lois. go and enjoy yourself
| declare you are looking ghostly of
ate" then looking to his work, Lois
cd. down to read her letter again.
'Saturday-do you think you can
spare me. Tom? Oh. how lonesome it
Will be for YOU" she said. rising and
sanding behind his chair.
he looked up at her and smiled kind
Never mind me, sis. l shall have
y work to keep me busy. l have a
great deal to do now, so perhaps when
10 return | will be rich man"
Oh. Tom, it seems hard for me to
enjoying myself and you working
- hard Yes, I'll 60" and she left the
room.
1t was Tuesday night. and on the
ney. She and her brother sat together
in the little parlor. she finishing some
sewing and he looking over some
papers and orders. After few min
utes he drew out cabinet photograph,
and handing it to his sister, said,
laughingiy:
Here. Lois. is something for you to
treasure"
She took it and blushed. 1t was
photograph of young man, whose
dark. laughing eyes peered up into her
own, and whose smiling face caused
her to blush.
oh, Tom, this is the copy you were
painting from! Did you finish the
painting?"
Yes, | sent it to him to-day. l
should have liked it better if he had
come and sat for the picture. ] don't
like to copy photographs. However, |
think did it we'll"
1T seems a hard face to paint. Was
it, Tom?' she asked, holding the photo
graph at a distance.
No, not very. IT seems to me,
Lois. that you admire that face very
much. | wish you could see the
original"
$50 do l." she answered quickly.
Did you ever see himP'
No. | never did. Better take the
picture with you and play the part of
the Prince in Cinderela-find the
original" and Tom laughed merrily as
; ) blushed again.
May | have it, Temp | must con-
less like his face. 1t always cheers
ne. I'll take it with me, and if |
should get lonesome and cross I'll just
take peek at this picture" and giving
hr" Lro:her a miscAievous look she
c, inued her work.
"All right. take it. It is no further
use. suppose you will meet the new
professor out there. l heard Cousin
Rose speak about young professor"
and not waiting for a reply, he went to
his room, while Lois sewed on until
midnight.
so you have come, dear. Oh. what
splendid times we will have. | was
afraid that you'd disappoint me-" and
two girls embraced each other atfec-
tionately.
Lois Langford surveyed her cousin
with much interest. and what she saw
was a slim. gIrlish figure wrapped in
furs, small, baby face and pair of
large black eyes looking up into her
own. and Rose Thorne admired her
cousin also.
Come, the sleigh is waiting over
arm, and they were soon on their way
home.
l wish the professor were here"
said Rose one evening. as she and Lois
sat alone by the glowing fire in the
drawing room.
we should not be so quiet fear. :"
Lois looked inquisitive
Professor Stone, | mean. He is
away now-in New York. I believe
Perhaps you have met him?"
Lois shook her head.
Il will tell you something ii YOU
choose to liSten?"
Lois did CHOOSE to listen, and soon
learned that Professor Stone was her
cousins lover. aud that they were soon
to be married.
You will meet him. dear. He is to
be back this week. | believe"
Luis would be pleased to meet him.
Have you lover. Loi>?" asked
Rose, and Lois bluShed and smiled.
Not i real er-but-but-yes, |
cave. will show you his picture"
10 Milling and blushing. she ran tc
her room to find the unknown photo
graph. The handsome ewes once more
| looked into her face and seemed TO De
| laughing with her.
She hurried down TO show it to Rose
her pretty face flushed with excite
| ulent.
What fun it would be to tell her and
make her believe that this handsome
man vas her loveri
Here is his picture" she said.
proutiy, as she handed it TO her cousin.
| Rose took the photograph. and hold.
ing it down where the light of the fire
| fell full upon it. she looked oHce. then
grew deathly pale.
us this your lover. Lois?r she asked.
family. Lois bowed her head. not no