Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-10-09
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WILL AND MhUDE

Will was handsome young mau and
his people were wealthy aristocr ats, "
some called them--and we could hardly
blame Maude for falling in love with him.
He had loved her since they were children
together. His grandfather lived Just
across the road from Maude's home, so he
saw her quite often, for he was always 60
ing to see his dear grandpa"
We used to tease him great deal about
| his love for his grandparents, and would
always ask him how they were getting
along. He never failed to give US a
good answer, for he was as sharp as tacks
| Will was sharp His father was one of
our ablest lawyers and could think of
more sharp things TO say than anyone |
chip of the old block, "
Maude was lovely girl and always so
happy. She lad pretty blue eyes and
dark hair, which made her more interest
ing than ever. She had sister Nell, and
they used to be inSeparabe. 1t made no
difference where one was, the other was
sure to be there too, but Nell fell IN love
with Il nice farmer and was now out on
his farm as his wife.
Maude seemed so lonesome when Nell
left, and it was no wonder she got more
attached to Win, for he MADE 1t point
to be great sympathizer at this time;
not day went 10y that he dld not call to
take her for a drive or walk:
Her parents were not wealthy, but
were comfortably well off, and we thought
it would be such good match for Will
and Maude to marry, for 1t would orng
| two nice families into closer friendship.
About the time we thought the happy
! day was set. young man named Len
! Allen who had been out west for some
time, returned home. He had not had
an extra good name before he left, but he
came back so faShioraby dressed
and cut such a dash that the boys took
! right up with him. | could not help feel
ing sorry when | saw Will going around
with him so much. Somet ov could not
feel that Allen was as good as he might
be, and was afraid he would lead VIII
astray, for he was young and full of life
and thought easy to fall In with the
ways of any one he was in company with
1t was but short time until we noticed
Will did not go to see Maude as often as
| he used to, but that he seemed infatuated
with Allen and was with him all the
time.
noticed Maude began to look troubled;
when Will would come too see her she
would seem brighter for while, so !
suppose he had good excuses for not going
to see her oftener. that work or business
matter kept him away-and, of course,
she believed him.
A few weeks more noticed that he did
not call TO see her any more, and that she
was looking so pale and sad, and one day
| | just could not and it any longer, so
asked her to tea and thought could find
out the trouble and DO the best could for
! her.
She said she would come and seemed
pleased to do so, as 1t was change and 1t
took her thoughts off little from my
Will" as she used to call him.
After tea was over we were sitting by
! the door when who should pass but VIII
and Allen.
Hello Maud, fine evening" cried Will
| in rather thick voice, and | saw she but
barely nodded to him, and stepped back
into the room and burst out crying.
| went to her, putting my arms around
! her, and asking her to tell me her trouble
sayIug that would be tue friend and
p, rhapo | could help her.
On, DEAR sobbed she, "it just does
not seem possible that he can be my
| Will of whom ] was so proud and to
think how happy We were until that Allen
came.
But what is the matter with Will and
what has Allen done2' ! asked.
" N know how intimate Will has been
with Allen lately. He stopped coming ~
see me, and oh, how worried about him
but never suspected anything wrong until
one day my father said he had heard that
Allen was gambler and a drinker and
that he was taking W II with him as fast
as lac could and said that he wanted the
engagement broken between us fol he
cotld not allow his daughter to keep com
pany with any such person.
IL asked him it could not try and get
Will to stop-that perhaps he would for
my sake. could not believe that 1T was
SO and wanted TO ask Will. Father saw
that il made me feel so bad so he said If
he saw Will be would tell him to call and
that was 10 Tell him if he did not reform
right away that be would have to stop
coming 10 his house and our engagement
cease.
You know when father makes up his
mind TO ANYTHING il il hard to make him
change it, and If he got right angry at
anyone he would as soon kill him as not.
was afraid Of father and thought strange
that he would even give viii trial. but
guess be was sorry for me and wills
folks.
When viii came that evening ! asked
If it was So He few up in minute and
talked so terribly about father, me and
every one, aud said he could attend to his
own business and wanted me TO attend to
my own. tried TO hush him no and
plead with him but IT did no good, ana
+ told him our engagement would have to
be broken lie did not seem to care and
actually think he was glad knew the
drinking story was 80, for could smell
wLiskay on bis breath, and oh II seemed
nv heart would break, for had been so
proud # him. he is drinking this
evening. FOR ! can tell by the way he look
ed and acted
Poor girl. did uot know What 70 do
for ner. ! wanted 10 advise her but did
rot know how. lut told ber she must not
worry 3D. that she vas looking SICK aud
il sould make her parents feel -
bad. and told her 70 hy 10 Re her old