Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1892-05-20


But if the two inmates of this abode
were snow-bound, that fact troubled
them little. They were all in all to each
other, this mother and daughter, whose
kingdom was their home, so they could
afford to laugh at the vagaries of the
weather.
They were very companionable: for
whether through the influence of Mil.
cred Vicars's healthful flow of spirits, or
the still unqucnched fire of the mothers
youth, the years had passed lightly over
the older woman's head. Her figure
still retained its graceful outlines, her
soft skin was unwrinkled, her glossy
black hair scarcely showed silver thread.
a woman, one could see, who had care
fully husbanded the best years OF her
hfe, so now at the harvest time there
were no disappointing tares among the
golden grain. The mother was in the
fullness and perfection of maturity, and
the daughter in that sweet first glow of
youth-fair of face and joyous by nature
as girl of nineteen should be.
Briar Lodge was fitting bower for
two such charming women. 1t was the
home of Mrs. Vicars's girlhood, where, as
Madeline Hunt, she had made it the
most attractive place on the hillside.
The Prince came at last, invaded
Briar Lodge and took Madeline captive !;
but he died in the flush of happiness.
Little Mildred gave warmth to he.
mothers life, urging her to cast off the
blighting influence of her sorrow; and
Madeline's nature blossomed afresh, all
the better and stronger for its crucial
test. Though many Of the old suitors
again surrounded her, the beautiful
lonely woman only twined her affections
more closely about her little daughter.
After longer stay than usual, the
snow was beginning to melt, and one
bright afternoon Mildred Wears armed
herself with a light snow shovel, aud
sailed forth to aid the sun in his work.
From beneath her jaunty seal-skin cap
her bright face glowed with the stirring
exercise. and snatches of song rose To her
lips, hoa;ing on the clear thin air down
among the frozen hollows and ont upon
the broad stretch of moorand. Her eyes
were often turned in this direction. until
u certain dark spot on the horizon took
more definite shape. Then the eolcr
deepcned IN her che eks, aud she bent Ia
her voluntary labor as if her daily bread
depended upon 1t. Nearer and nearer
came the hurrying figure Of a young man,
whose steps were bearing directly down
upon l'riar Lodge. Reaching the priekly
hedge he called scftly, "hIildtcl! Mil
dred!h
The gi'l dropped her shovel aud turned
quickly around, meeting a pair OF ardent
eyes that caused hes own 10 fall in some
confusion.
IL am gud 20 see you home, Her
bert. When did you arrive; As she
spoke she eame Slowly up TO the hedge
that divided them, agd reached over her
little gloyed hand in greeting to the new
eomer, who caught and kissed It passion
ately before he released il.
"pidnt you know / was coming to.
dayf' he asked reproaehmlly. III am
snre you expected me, Mildred. Answer
me truly. ! cannot believe that You
have forgotten.
"Forgollen oh, not" returned Mil.
dFed quickly. ~ thought imagined
well Il you must have it'll did look
for you to-day,
Herbert oyerton's face grow radiant,
"fiaye you no NarneF welcome fog
ne, Mas | not como inf" he ask ol Al
tee vain altempt o. tepossess himself
ul heF hand, aefaAs the Intervening bar.
Tler
eyes" she yentured slowly, uand
and mo1heF says sou may slaY 10 sea Il
yua Ike.
There sas Q tfemoF Ia the soft voice
bat AlldFet sha' 4 rpgulsh look AZ hlm
lfeia uni-f bee long lashes, and tho
lpuhg nal waited Zoe no seaond tll-
aths, Another momeal and he WAS he
'la. hgfi sf1splag bota bands, aad ~
sag - fesi ihr pretty downeasl l.ee.
" What aq I - understand Id this,
MildFehf' b. demanded Ia iaa, esgeg
feue,
she dii noI withdraw hef haais, bal
witt aa lmpplfiya m4semfut sha nfsilr
elossf te hls siil. 4ad aasselel almal
z. shisHei Aha ssel fea aiah, is4l
llefheIt
Then ties ln.l slgAt q "a aai place
aad lell g alaHaaa lssif IS. o. Hals
.5AH 80.