The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-03-02
BELLS OF FOLLY.

ing. The grassy slope shClycd down In
to the valley, where tho wood lay black
and still. DaffOdils nodded and COW
slips bowed as she passed on her way.
A lark got up ard rose, singing to
heaven. She sped out Of the shadow and
into the sunlight, and the sound Of her
young laughter floatcd down the val
ley. Echoes Joined it there, and the lit
tie rayinc gurgled with mer1imcnt. Mi
randa stopped. with her chin III the
air, and listened. Was it all the echo
of her own delight, or was it something
more? The peal Of her mockcry died in
to the somh"r Copse, and out of it, fresh
and clear, a voice trll!ed mCrrily on its
upward way Miranda stood and wait
ed.
He came W tho bank Of wild flowers,
his face bright with the love Of life and
laughter, and at the sight Of her he
paused. The two faced each other for
awhile in silence, and then a smile ran
round Miranda's lips, and the young
mans eyes sparkled with merriment.
Il took your laughter for Il signal"
said he, making his beaming salutations,
''but | reckoned little upon so charming
an designation"
1T was but a signal Of the spring,
sir, " says she, with a dainty bow.
Nay" be replied. II make no such
distinctions between the seasons |
laugh the whole year through. 1t is the
manner of the wise. You will perceive
.-,.l l,-,,- F,,r ,,,isfrn-s Pc
lieve me, it's not the whim Of an hnur
contrived by the guilcs Of a spring
morning, but q very settled disposition
of the mind. | am broad based upon
gayety."
"Ah, to be gay" cried Miranda. ITO
be gay is to live.
'Life is at our feet" said the merry
youth. Il take an infinite pleasure III
it's complexities. Believe me, nothing
should matter, save the ~twinkling of an
eye or the dimpling of a cheek
You are right, !" said Miranda. smil-
ing. How can one have enough OF
laughter"
I'VE are of one mind" he answered
pleasantly Let Us 20 into our corner
and be merry together.
why not:" says Miranda. why
mott"
There are 10, 900 pleasures III this
silly world" he went on, land, for
myself, | have not yet exhausted the
tenth part of them. Count my years,
then, and make threcScOre and ten the
dividend, and what remains: Pack them
into the hours never so neatly, and you
will not exhaust the store. And that Is
why | am a spcndthritt of pleasures. |
exc not out my delights. | would burn
20 in a straw hat out of sheer caprice
and toss "a dozen to the ducks upOn the
lake for pity
Eyes, yes" agreed Miranda.
Time" he continued, with fine
scorn, time has discovered Us a con-
spiracy Of the ages to iMthrone this mch
ancholy. Dut we are 10 traitors to Our
rightful being, you and !, u We Will
clap a crown upon the head of laughter,
and lay the usnrper Ey the heels i'll his
proper dungeon.
He were better there, - replied Mi
randa ~thoughtfully.
There is never "a care, " he resumed,
upon which we may not tramplc, not
a trouble which we may not forget.
What a fool is he who would nurse hi,
sorrow and not bury it in the deepest
grave
What n foolr' murmured Miranda
dreamily.
"Shnuld one lose a friend? a fig 70,
friendship Quoth he. DOES ono cas-
a lover: y snap for u hundred lovers
What has hecn remains, and what i
shall l.'
Miranda said nothing.
"Subt.~ct love trom life" said tn,
Young man. and life remains. | woulC
have the world know that love is
pleasant eli Aur, al amiabIc and enter
tanning mOUd. and that he is left whcl
love Is lost. There j. no love. II wor,
more truly writ in the plural and spell
ed with q small letter.
Miranda turned upon him swiftly
. "Fie! Fie'' said size, and the ligh
flashed in her eyes. II know nothing
of this love, bat | dare swear there b
things that matter. Take these frol
life, and what will rest over: l. thcT
not sorrow, ana Is there nor pam: |
there not ramorse, II is there lnC
the thing called sin? | know nothing {
these. | am too young to the worlC
But there they stand, sir, i%mpoftunin
at our doors with outstretehed arms
and one has only TO lift the latch to ],
them in. You would deny the very pull,
of human mature when you ignore the.
evils. You would forswear the vel
weaknesses which have composed fl
you your sentiments"
In the excitement of her retort NJ
randa's face flushed and grew brigh
Wide eyed the young man stared at b.
and forgot to laugh. and when she hs
done his head dropped, and he sighed
"Ah," she said. lyon sigh. "
Yourself have felt and suffered. Y.