Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-12-25
CHAPTER x.
THE LETTER.

But after this ] watched Annie good
deal. and | soon discovered she had q great
AMI growing trouble on her mind. She was
restless and i'll at ease, and once or twice,
while l Observed her quietly, | saw tears sud-
denly start to her eyes.
Her mother and father noticed this, too;
but they attributed the change t. quite an
other cause. They We're good, honest folk,
who could Only consider one project at a
time: and as for several months past their
minds had been occupied solely with the
i,!ea Of a marriage between Annie and my
self, they naturally assumed GiSagreementS
between us two to be the cause Of their
daughters depression.
had not the heart to undeceive them. I
determined, however, to speak to Annie
again, and ask for some further explanation
OF this mystery.
One afternoon, about three days after our
former Interview, | was standing at the
mouth of the mine, thinking things, when
was startled by the sudden appearance {of
my aunt. She looked pale, rather alarmed;
but ready to become very angry.
Hugh" she said, before I had time to
open my lips, ''where be AWnie?"
Had been able at that moment to pro-
duce my cousin, she would certainly have
been }ated very somdIy; whereas, I shook
my head and said, - don't know p the ris-
ing anger entirely disappeared, and her face
grew paler.
But yOu'm seen her to-day" she contin-
ued
No. When left this morning you were
all ;-bed.''
At this my aunt fairly broke down, and
| moaned between her sobs "Oh, Hugh! she's
gone, gomez
l was fairly stunned, and all [ could do
just then was to comfort my aunt, who was
weeping bitterly. When she was more com
posed. | asked for an explanation of what
had taken place, and she gave it. The facts
were simple enough. After my uncle and L
had left for the mine, my aunt rose, expect
ing to find the kitchen fire alight as usual,
and Annie busy making things neat for the
day. To her establishment, the kitchen was
empty, the ashes in the CRATE were gray, and
all was in disorder as it had been on the
night before. She called Annie, but got no
answer, she searched the cottage, but failed
to find her; then, concluding that she had
gone to the village on some eTand, she set
about doing the work herself. Several hours
passed away; and, as there was still no sign
OF the missing girl, my aunt began to grow
extremely alarmed. She had searched
through and around the house with no effect.
She now went down to the village and made
several inquiries but with no result Annie
had not been seen by any one that day.
Seriously alarmed by this time, she return
ed 10 the house, and looked again in Annie's
room. Suddenly her attention was attract
ed to the bed she looked at it, and found
that, although it was in disorder, it had not
been slept in that nj ht.
Having told her tale, my aunt looked at
me, hoping that [ might be able to say her
fears for her child were unfounded. Icould
not; the utmost l could do was to counsel 81
lence, and to Try to buoy her up with hope,
This | did.
1t may be all right, aunt" | said; there
fore it will be much better to keep our fears
to ourselves. Don't say anything 20 my uncle;
there Will be time enough to 90 that when
our last hope is gone.
After some little difficulty. she consented
to follow my advice, and persuaded her to
return home. But the day was finished for
me. After my aunt was gone, | could do
nothing but think of Annie; the worst fears
struggled TO take possession of me. but dill
gently thrust them away. I would not be-
lieve i'll of my cousin.