The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-09-13

looked round for Daoust to carry his
baggage up to Labelle's as in days Of
yore. But old D1oust was dead and
therefore could not come.
Millette put the heavy trunk on
truck sleigh and began to trot along the
wooden wharf Then, when Millette
paused for breath, Greene pushed the
old man aside and took hold of the truck.
Say, Millette, I'll wheel this up for so
cents for you," he said.
Millette ran painting alongside. "Ah-h,
re droll monsieur. 1t will provide for re
christening"
Greene stopped short. What, an
other.' he said in pretended amaZement.
How many?' he asked briefly.
"Twenty-seven," rejoined Millette,
with i'll dissembled pride.
Greene stopped again and carefully
counted out % cents. Here's a cent,each
for your children, Millette. Don't stand
still any longer or you'll get frost bitten.
i dare not run the risk of having to pro-
vide for 81 orphans"
Millette took the money with profuse
thanks and hurried off, leaving Greene
to go on to Labelle's hotel with the huge
truck sleigh. By the time Jasper reached
the postoffice a procession gradually
formed on the sidewalk to welcome him
back from Montreal. When Lily Labelle
saw him, she came ont and promptly
gave the children holiday for the rest
of the day. Then she joined him at the
head Of the procession. When they
reached the veranda, the children gave
three cheers for Jasper and called for a
speech.
He waited for the crowd to disperse
before he approached Lily, who stood
leaning against the veranda, an amused
look in her dark eyes.
Are you glad to see me?' he asked.
Come in to dinner" she said. I'm
answer your questions-some of them
afterward."
Mrs. Labelle greeted him with kiss
on both cheeks. while her husband bow.
ed with grave politeness.
Lily seated herself at the upper table
Jasper at once took possession of Lily
and held his prize against all corners
especially the cashier of the Four Corner.
bank. The latter was not easily discon
certed, but prepared to demolish Jasper
Miller, the cashier, asked her to go fol
a sleigh ride that afternoon.
$50 sorry" d7awled Jasper. miss
Labelle has been engaged to me for s
sleigh ride for a year"
The cashier. without waiting for a re
ply, went angrily out.
Lily raised her eyes from her plate
why are you week before your time
Jasper she asked.
That's the reason" said Jasper, indi
eating with fragment of mince pie or
his fork the retreatine form OF the cash
ier. If I'm only allowed one sleigl
ride q year. don't see why that fellow
should get ahead of me and have thrc
Il week.
But your work, Jasper?"
''Oh, McQuire's looking after that TO
me. explained to him that it was rath
er important % clear up matters here
and SO came"
Lily had not expected her coquetry +
become known. 1t is so dull" she sait
In extenuation.
Jasper commenced another nince pie
Don't be afraid of its being dul
while I'm here" he said, with sublim
self confidence. You promised me on
wanted it. and I guess I'll take thi
years today"
Lily pouted. Jasper smiled and rum
Piled his yellow hair.
You'd better own up," he said, wit
unabated cheerfulness. "How soon ca
you be ready?"
Lily was cowed. "Oh, in half an hour,
and ran away to get her things on.
When Lily came down arrayed in he
most becoming furs, Jasper smiled az
provingly. 'You only want some flow
ers to T. perfect" he said.
Lily gave little cry. "Ah, flower
But they are impossible"
Not at all, said Jasper, taking bo
from his pocket. Nothing .impossib
if you want it badly enough
Lily opened the box and gave anotht
cry. Orange blossoms!" she said.
Yes" answered Jasper. From Flo
ida. People there stick the ends in D
tato to keep them fresh. Capital dodg
isn't it." 80
He took out the orange blossoms, thre
away the potato and pinned them to h
jacket
Now we're ready to start. Stop
momentg' and he drew her back behir
the curtain as the cashier drove past {
his way to the schoolhouse
Lily began to laugh. "It's very wickt
of You, Jasper" )
THAI viii teach him to go sleighii
with my sweetheart" said Jasper calr
y.
Lily protested: you've no right
say that, Jasper. only promised You
sleighride once year for seven year
and then ii liked you well enough
then perhaps might marry YOU"
Jasper was drawing on his sealsk
gloves. That's all very we'll" he sal
'sbut we haven't the time to waste whi
those old Biblical people had. In sew
years time expect to be in the ca
net"
Lily followed him to the door only
wecoil in dismay. 'Thats" was all Z
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