The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-12-02


Il was thinking of the picnic to-
to go, and | wondered if l must stay at
home after all. That momentous ques-
ton so occupied my thoughts that |
had forgotten my evening duties"
Twill you go with me, Cecile? 1t is
on mothers account that | have not
asked you before. But as l was stroll
ing past, half inclined to give it all up.
] saw you,a and that settled my doubts
as to what to do"
There was n tender light in the young
mans eyes as he spoke. and the pretty
pink color flushed into Cecile's cheek.
'Of course | will go, Jack. Why al
low her dislike to spoil our pleasure?
She will forgive me some day"
so it is settled? You will come with
me?"
"IeS, Jack"
Well pleased, the young man went
on his way.
The cause of Mrs Newton's dislike to
Cccilc was a trivial one.
When She was q little girl CecIle's
father had given her the deed of a
picturesque bit of land, called the west
pasture, which lay between the New
ton farm and hat of Mr.. Grey.
Two years before our story opens
Mrs. Newton had made Cecile IN offer
for the land. II would complete her
east pasture, she said, and fill in the
corner, thus making her acres form al
most 4 square.
She had set her heart on having the
pasture, but Cccile loved the place, and
would not sell it Mrs. Newton tried
by coaxing and liberal offers to gain
her point. but TIE girl was determined.
At last, flying into n passion, the elder
lady rated the younger soundly for "a
conceited mink, who thought herself
never get her Jack, for whom she had
Set her cap"
And, having thus relieved her mind,
She went ZONE.
For two years she had not entered
the Grey farmhouse unless she knew
the only daughter was absent. Good,
motherly Mrs. Grey overlooked the
feud, welcomed Jack cordially when
ever he called, paid little neighborly
visits to Mrs. Newton, and in every way
tried to mend the breach which Jacks
mother Ike pit fresh by daily repinings-
Cecile, when Jack had gone, went
about her duties with n light step and
a lighter heart When. at last, every
thing was done, she sought her pretty
room, which enthusiastically adorned by
her own hands, and, sitting by the win
dow, looked out over the hills and Won
dered if the morrow would bring the
fair weather the night promised.
Meanwhile Mrs. Newton. her face
red with anger, stood listening to Jack,
who, with his bedroom lamp in his
hand, had turned as he reached the
door, and said: II must be up early in
the morning, mother. for / am going to
the picnic. Cecile has promised to &C.
company me. | intend to ask her to he
my wife," he went on, in some con-
fusion. 'tShe will make you a good
daughter, mother; you know you have
always longed for one"
Put not such a one as you want to
give me" exclaimed Mrs. Newton. mo,
Jack; | will never welcome her to this
house! If it had been anyone else
but Cecile Grey, never"
Mother" said Jack, firmly, why
cannot you overcome this foolish preju-
dice? shall marry Cecile if she will
have me: better accept the inevitable"
And he left the room.
Mrs. Newton was taken by SUR
prise. After awhile she cooled down a
little.
After ALL" she thought, IF he does
marry her that west pasture will come
to us. But | will never give in, not
even for that Jack shall lose the farm
if he marries Cecile Grey"
That night, Cecile, in her pretty
white bed. dreamed of Jack. At first
her dreams were peaceful, but as the
night wore on they became disturbed,
and at last she awoke with the strange
feeling that her lover was in danger.
Mechanically she arose, and having
donned wrapper and slippers went to
the window. As she threw up the slsh
and leaned out across the sill, she saw
that a cloudy sky had taken the place
of the starry one she had gazed at ear
lier in the night.
The wind had risen, and blew in fit
full gusts around the corners of the
house.
A troubled thought of the pleasure
she had anticipated came to Cecile, and
then all at once, as a stronger gust CT
wind came to her, she smelled a faint
odor of smoke.
Looking quickly at the barn and
other buildings she could see nothing
unusual. She raised her eyes and looked
anxiously in the direction of Jacks
house.
What was that red glow spreading
above the tree tops?" she wondered.
And then she realized that the New
ton farmhouse was on fire.
Running downstairs she reused her
father. then out of the door, and away
through the darkness she sped in the
direction of the burning building.
All was quiet when she reached the
gate, which was locked. What should
she do? She looked up at the high pick
cts with their cruelty sharp points, and
then began to climb rasolutely up, Bal