Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-08-30


tragIcally cntangled in the lnaZes Of
her own. Could she but have had one
glimpse Of the swift-comng future,
with what horror would the simple
country girl have started back ana
struggled against the first suspicion
Of disaster!
The silence was presently broken
by four mellow, slowly falling strokes
from the gray belfry OF Chalkburne;
then all was still again, and Alma be
gan TO pick up her parcels. Suddenly
she heard the sound OF hoofs and
wheels, and, dropping her packages,
turned once more to the gate, and
appeared very statue of contem-
platlon by the time Il dog cart, drawn
by " housekeeping chestnut, and
driven by spick and span groom,
falr-haired and well,featured, drew up
beside her, and tho groom sprung
lightly to the ground,
Come, Alma" he said, approaching
tho pensiye figure. which appeared UNI
/ conscious OF him, you won't say no
now? You look dog tired"
Il shall say exactly what | please,
Mr.. Judkins" she replied.
Then say yes, and jump up. Chest
nut Is going like Il bird, and will have
you ut Swaynestone in no time. DO
/ say yes, do now"
"Thank you, | intend 70 walk"
Just think what walk 1t IS to
Swaynestonc, and you 80 tired"
II am not tired"
"rhcn, why are you leaning on that
there gateY
~ am admlrlng the view, since you
are 80 very inqulstiye."
"Oh, Lord! the view! There's a deal
more view to be seen from the seat
of this here cart, and It's pleasant fly
Ing along like Il bird. Come now,
Alma, let me help you up"
"Mr. Judkins, will you have the Kind.
ness to drive on? said In Oldport
that | intended to walk. It's very
hard person mayn't do as she plcascs
without all this worry" replied Alma,
, impatiently.
"Wlllful woman nun have her way"
murmurcd the young fellow, ruefully.
well, let me carry them parcels
home at least"
II intond to carry them myself,
thank you. Good afternoon" and
Alma turned her back upon the mortl-
fled youth and appeared lost in the
charms OF landscape.
well, darn 1t! If you won't come,
lpnn't. ihni'o Int
man exclaimed, angrly. This is your
nasty pride, Miss Alma; but, mind
YOU, pride goes before Il fall" he
added, sprinSing to his perch, and
sending the high stopper flying along
the level down-road like the wind,
with many expressions OF anger and
disappointment, and sunday backward
chances at Alma, who gazed with UNI
rnillcd stcadlness ON the fields,
II wonder she unused, why Il per
son always hates person who makes
love To them? liked Charlie Julkins
we'll enough before he took on with
this love nonsense"
And she did not know that by de
clning that brief drive she had re-
fused the ono chance of escaping all
the subsequent tragedy, and that her
fate was even now approaching in
the growing gloom,
But what Is this fairy music ascend
Ing from the direction OF Chalkburnc,
aud growing clearer and louder every
moment? Sweet. mrlodlous, drowSily
CHEEKY, ring out five tiny merry peas
of bells, each peal accurately matched
with the other, and consisting of five
tones The music comes tumhling
, down in sweet confusion, peal upon
peal, chime breaking into chime, in a
, through all which II certain Irregular
rhythm Is preserved, which keeps the
blending harmonics from degrnerating
, into disSonancc. With Il sweep and n
clash and mingling of sleepy rapture,
! the cliiu music filled all the quiet hazy
! air around Alma. and inspired her
! with vague pleasure rs she turned her
head listening in the direction of The
dulcct sounds, and diScerurd their
origin In the noddiug head of large
Silk-coatcd cart horse looming through
the haze.
ile was Il handsome powerful fel-
low, stepping firmly up the Hill with
/ the happy consciousness of doing good
service which seems to animate all
, willing, wcll.hchaycd horses, and
emerging into full Wow at the head
of four gallant comrades, each nodding
and stepping as chccrily as himself,
+ with Il pondcrouS wagon behind them.
! Each horse wore his name In love.
locks. combed over his eyes, the hair
on tho massive neck being tied here
and there with bows of bright WOODEN
ribbon Each tail was carefully plait.
ed at It's spring from the powerful
launches for Il few inches; then ii
was tied with another bright knot
beneath which the remainder Of tho
tail swept In untrammelcd abundance
almost down to the pasterns. the latter
hidden by long fringes coming TO the
ground The poudcrous harness Shonr
brightly on the broad, shining brown
bodies, and rs each horse carried \
Iva Iin,y pnin th{pkly studded with