Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1895-12-31

and thought of r.. Clifton.
What would her mother say if she
knew it all-that Paul Clifton loved her
that he was coming to ask for her at
the maternal hands the vely next day
1t will be of 10 use," she thought
sadly. "Mother will say no. She de-
sires me to marry Squire Sedley, who
is bald and deaf and twice my age, and
who only wants me because his house.
keeper has struck for higher wages and
he thinks wife would be better econo-
my. But we can wait, Paul and I. We
will wait.''
And then they ran up alongside the
tall, spectral cylinder of the lighthouse,
for the tide was high and landing was
comparatively easy, and Muriel sprang
lightly out Of the boat, looking up at
the fiery eye in the lantern above
"Givo me the bag and the basket,
Tommy" said she. "Steady with the
boat now! I'll be back in one minute. -
So the orange glow had burned down
into deep red radiance, and the dusk
shadows off the New Years eve were
creeping over all the CLASSY surface of
the sea.
Aunt Dora was at home. In fact,
Aunt Dora never was anywhere e]se
Her own society, little as other people
cared for it, was all sufficient for her
self.
"Oh, it's you, is it?' said Aunt Dora,
as unconcerned as if she lived on dry
in fl,0 loh ~
company every hour in the day. She
was darning stockings by her own espe-
cial little lamp, and the teapot already
simmered Oh the hob for her tea. Any
thing the matter? Because I couldn t
leave the light if it was ever so''-
mo, nothing is the matter,' said
Murlel. II have brought you % note
from my mother. Something about the
pattern of bedquilt, I believe And
some chickens and apples and y bag Of
fresh hickory nuts
Aunt Dora read the note once, twice,
three times over Then she regarded
Muriel in sinister fashion from under
her thick, black brows, while the girl
played ,unconsciously with the cat.
"Humph!'' said she. eyes, I'll go
and get the pattern!'
She was gone some time--half an
hour, at least, as it seemed to Murie],
and when she came back, the girl start
ed up.
cit is nearly dark" she said II
must make haste home
"Well you needn't be in such fur
ry'' said Aunt Dora, with a grim
chrcklc. "I've sent the pattern by Tom
my Jenkins. He's half way to shore by
this time
Muriel uttered little shrek.
"And how am to get home?' she
cried.
"You amt to get home at al, " said
Aunt Dora. "You're to- stay and spend
the New Year with me- That's what
your mother said in her note
But shall not" exclaimed Muriel,
stamping her foot vehemently. II must
go home! Iexpect company tomorrow -
"Sit down and be easy-don said
Aunt Dora. Must is for the king. I'd
like to know how on earth you re to get
home, with only one boat at the steps,
and that padlocked tight, with the key
snug at the bottom of my pocket!'
And Aunt Dora laughed Il hard, dis
sonant laugh that was like the .croak of
raven.
For a moment Muriel gazed wildly
around like newly Gagged bird, then
she burst into tears and sobs
"It is all stratagem of mother p
she cried, wringing her hands. 81
might have known i'll I might have
known it!''
AND that night at the White Reefs
lighthouse, with the melancholy sea
tapping the foot of the tower and the
wind whistling around the steady glow
of the beacon, was the dreariest that
Muriel ever spent in her life.
"You amt good company tonight,
said Aunt Dora, g]ancing at her niece
ever and anon between tho stitches of
her darning.
because you have deceived me!'
cried Muriel. "You and mother!'
"Humphl' said Aunt Dora. Its all
for your own good. You II thank US one
of these days. Girls oughtn't to have
their own way
But Muriel only wept on and refused
to be comforted.
She went down to the foot of the
tower, the next day, and sat there, her
cloak wrapped about her shoulders, list
lessly gazing out on the sparkling floor
Of the deep.
lis that IL boat coming?' she asked
herself. with one man in it? Is it
coming here, wonder?"
Nearer and nearer came the boat,
rocking lightly Oh the surface Of the
waves, and presently Muriel started up,
with cry Of joy.
For it was Paul Clifton waving his
hand to her, as he came ever nearer and
nearer
"A happy New Year, sweet Muriel!'
he called out, as the boat touched the
stone steps. II am the enchanted knight
come to rescue you from the prison tow
er!''
''How did you know was here?'
said Muriel, with sparkling eyes and
velvety cheeks dyed with crimson.
Your mother was entirely noncom-
INITIAL said Clifton gayly. II could
learn nothing whatsoever from her ex-
cept that you were we'll and were not
receiving company. But Twas fortunate
enough to meet Tommy Jenkins, who,
for the consideration of silver quarter,
ignolniniously Turned states evidence.
And here I am, my sweetheart! Will
you come with me?''
"Of course l will,'' said Muriel,
springing lightly into the boat. "But