Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-06-27

| work 1t on Miss Perkins. You never knew
Miss Perkins, did your s'pose you
might, bein In the same business.
| "No," answered Mirabel, II never saw
her"
well, she didn't look much like you
She came from Four Corners, and she wore
spectacles, and when she got mad her frizzes
would slip around over her ear. Do you
whale your boys muchp'
| Mirabel laughed "No, guess not "
she answered. But don't see yet why
you feel so toward the theater. I'm sure
1t would be great deal easier to get your
living by dancing and singing little ev.
cry night than 1t would by grubbing all
day In n nasty old school"
II dunno" Dan shook his head disap-
provingly. "a woman might just as we'll
cut her head of among our folks as to
think of such thing. Once there was
| girl called Flornda Bridges, and she
wanted to go actin, and her father near
; broke his heart about It, 1t was such
disgrace to the family that they oil finally
broke up and moved away. shouldn't
want any Of 'em related to me-"
That ended the matter for the remainder
Of Mirabels stay. She went driving daily
with Dan, and they grew very friendly.
Miranda observed It, but had no objection
except the natural shrinking OF q mother
from giving up her boy. II always want
ed n schoolteacher in the family" she
thought. "Shell do more for Dan than
could. He's q little rough yet And, oh,
II some day should have a grandson, and
he should grow up to be a minister"
Every Sunday the Keenes and their
boarders drove solemnly into town to the
phutn oh hnl oil AaI =
tendency to headache as reason for stay
Ing at home. She liked the silence and
loneliness when all were gone. One Sun.
day morning slight accident occurred on
the way into town, and Dan, leaving the
others, brought back the horses and carry
all for repairs Ho whistled for Mirabel
rs he neared the house, but could not sec
her. So, disappointed, he drove on to the
barn. 1t was closely shut in proper Sab
bath order but as Dan started to push
aside the heavy doors an unusual sound
surprised him. 1t was woman's voice,
singing guy, rhythmic tune and, accom-
panying It, a clashing as Of little silver
bells.
Dan thought he recognized the voice.
He left tho doors and made his way quietly
by some side stairs to the loft. Forgetful
upon the hay and looked down. In the
center OF tho floor stood Mirabel dressed
In fantastic fashion, with a short red skirt
little black jacket, fringed with coins, a
little spangled cap, and In her hand q
round thing, gay with strcamers and bells
Her neck and arms were bare and beauti.
full. She was singing now in low, monot-
onous tone, swaying softly to and fro.
Than tho ,rnalnlu Nhn NJ m bIn
feet could hardly follow the rapid notes
Faster and faster went song and step, At
last, with final crash of the bells, the
singer stopped, and sweeping a low bow to
the oorncrib sank down on heap Of hay.
Dan entranced did not move. Some
calico garments were lying near her. She
picked these up, and after few moments
of energetic tanning put them on over her
other costume She took off her cap and
let down her dark hair in wild, wavy
clond about her pretty head. The gilded
slippers were kicked of and replaced by
coarse black ones. "Ya hahl' rang out
nearly negro laugh, and with a bound the
transformed Topsy began hoedown which
outdid the performance of any plantation
belle. Patter patter, patter clicked her
feet on tho floor. Dan could hardly help
laughing outright, and when she stopped
suddenly, threw back her head and burst
into her va hah hahl'' again he forgot
all caution and joined In In hearty boyish
glee
At tho first sound of his voice Mirabel
stood still and silent. "Oh, it's only me, -
Dan called out to her. swinging himself
down from the loft. "You needn't be
scared Gosh, how you can dance!' With
out knowing exactly why, he took her
hand 1t was tho first woman's hand he
had ever held in that way His cheeks rod
dened, and no was conscious of perfumed
hair and n white arm near enough to kiss.
Mirabel looked up at him, half laughing,
half afraid
"Whoa, there! whoa, toll you Where
can the boy hev got to, leavin the horses
standin here like thisP" 1t was Father
Keenes voice at the barn door and in the
distance screamed the minister's children,
running down tho yard.
Good Lord" whispered Dan dropping
Mirabels hand, "it's the folks come home
from church, and I clean forgot about
'em. How In thunder did they get here?"
Mirabel caught his sleeve. "Oh, what
shall dor They mustn't SEQ me like this.
They'd think was crazy You must hide
mo somewhere, quick" Dan looked
blankly at her, then around the barn.
"There amt any place but the hayloft,
he said.
"Wcll, take mo there, answered Mira
bel, sweeping various garments into u
hasty bundle. Dan caught her up In his
arms and sprang for the ladder, just as
tho barn door slid open they dropped be-
hind tho ridge Of tho hay.
Farmer Keene led In the horses. fol-
lowed by the three children Its mighty
queer" he was tarnation queer |
Dams always been such steady, regular
chap. never knowed him to leave the
horses alone before
The children rummaged around the
grain bins. Suddenly the youngest cried
OUT "Oh, SEQ herei See here. quick"
Mirabcl peered cautiously over the hay,
! "Oh. DAN" she whispered, II dropped my
cap, and they have found it,
Farmer kcene turned to the children In
great excitement. ITS the gypsies, that s
| what It Is. " he exclaimed, holding up the