Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-10-29


the meadow with the letter read and
crumpled in her pocket while her
thoughts were half pleasant, half terri
flying, il the varying expression OF her
face told tales.
The saw min was deserted, dusk
was gathering. and 1t was q o'clock nc
the Blue Front \ hand ear was being
lifted from the track, upon which Il
crowd of railroad builders had come
from work. Light Strcamed from the
two half windows, and inside the larry
est room Jen was busy placing steam
ins dishes on the long oil-cloth covered
tables while in the kitchen on one side
her mother was dishlnc up the food.
With his chair tipped against the
wall the landlord enlvened the scene
with ill-natured wit In years past he
had been a good mechanic but pas
sion for drink and gambling gave his
mind a bent toward wandering, SO his
wife and step-daughter must needs 20
with him 20 make his fortune IN the far
West. According to his idea. board
mS-house was the surest way, and
easy-for him. He was a selfish, des-
pouc creature, using his wife's hard
earning to play poker and speculate
in land as he termed bullduziug hon
ester men ont OF their ranches and
claims,
Going to the dance. boys?" he ask
ed condeScendingly as he entered the
dining-room.
"That we be, Better come yourself,
landlord. Wen take the ladies ON the
hand-car"
Best place for thems at home,
/ with a malicious glance at Jen.
I'm feeling too old for dancing to-
| night said his wife, with tired sigh.
"Humph! DO you good to be walked
up bit Wen go Jen can stay and
clear up
Very well, John, but we can get all
| done so Jennie can go" meekly.
TOO much galiyauting already"
( growled the landlord. Here it is to he
/ feared Miss Jen made a face, for the
men at the table were heard to mutter
something emphatic With Pm. get
ready ut once" the landlord departed
/ to more cOngcnial spirits
Yes, mother, tA up, and III clear
I up in time to do your hair" said Jcn
In ten minutes her mother came into
the room dressed in plain dark
WOODEN suit which Jen cnliyened 10y a
touch of ribbon at the throat
There, ma, YOU look quite young and
pretty" said the girl as she handed
her hat and cloak.
"Good-by dear; l wish you were go
ing instead and with a kiss she stepp-
ed from the door
Jen watched the hand-car crowded
with the few families of the little ham
let and the railroad men, till it diSap-
peared up the track, then hu1iedly
cleared and washed the dishes, rest the
table. and ground coffee for next morn
ing's breakfast
Il do hope Jim won't come down
when mother tells him / couldn't
come" thought Jen, how can l help
IL If he does care too much? The land
lord is only trying 20 get his timber
claim, but / won't help, with toss
Of her head Il know he's good natur-
ed, but Jim's like the other boys,
gambling and drinking and caring for
nothing but a dance now and then"
Then the color rose in the girls face
as she finished sweeping, mt the thought
Of one who wasn't like the other
boys He's been all over the coast
murmured Jeu proudly, "and III show
them he does love me-
Suddenly the sound of a shrill boat
whistle came from the river Jen
dropped the dust-pan and ran hastily
to her little room. and graspcd a small
satchel secretly packed with a few
treasures Hastily she donned hat aud
jacket and hurried through the rooms
with a parting, halfaffectionate glance
mt the bare board walls Of what HAD
been her home With quick-bcatiug T.
heart, she crossed the track and hurried I.
down to the landing, while through /
the river fog Il light cleaned nearer /
and nearer. 1t reached tn wharf. A /
sound Of bells, n gangplank thrown
out and up it sprang a tall dark-eyed /
man in captains uniform,
Jennie lie cried, eagerly.
oh, Fred hurry" with a half-sob; |
the car is coming down the track"
Taking her hand, he led her quickly /
aboard, the gang-plank was drawn in, /
more bells, and the steamer was or, /
just rs Jim Stewart, with a stern, /
white face, reached the landing. The 4
headlight Of the Oseola shone fun upon F.
him as she turned, and Capt Fred, /
standing with Jennie beside him at
the pilot house window, shouted: Tel I
the landlord when the Oseola makes F..
the landing tomorrow the captains f.
wife will be pleased to see her friends
aboard"
DIANA LOOSE IN ARGYLE PARK |