The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-03-17

ana now the snow plows We're out, and
1ne first really good sleighing of the
winter would begin.
The great fields lay in unbroken
~hiteness. The woods along the banks
of the Iowa river were pillows Of snow.
The large farm houses and the num-
Der and size of the barns, and other
outlying buildings, gave evidences of
the richness of the soil that lay buried
and resting for another harvest.
Judge Hilton's house had the dis
tinction of being built of brick There
was a dignity in its solidity, over the
usual white frame houses on the sur
rounding farms that well became the
dignity of the judge.
The judge was New England born
and bred. There is a veneration for
Puritan ancestry in the entirely west
ern soul, that the Puritan mind still
clings to, for good old English blood
Isabel Hilton was her fathers house
Keeper and only child. The mother
had died while She was baby, and
she had ruled the house and been ruled
by her father since that time.
She had all her fathers reserve and
pride of family, and at the same time
his happy nature and gracious manner
that won her friends when she desired
TO make friends. Those who found it
impossible to win their way into her
favor called this reserve in Isabel her
down east airs There was a dis
couraging belief among the young men
in the country around, some of whose
fathers owned farms and herds Of cat
tie large enough TO divide and estab
1ish them in envious beginnings, that
if the judge thought any of them
worthy to win his daughters love there
would never be an opportunity to gain
the consent of the young lady.
The judge had theories against Isa-
bets entertaining young gentlemen,
nor would he permit her to go with
any escort but himself.
The privilege of spending the even
ing with Isabel, in the protecting pres
ence Of her father, was considered
mark of distinction and held the one
so honored on the wave Of hope.
IF a fellow had the backbone TO out
sit the judge some night, he might pro-
pose to the daughter" was the COM
ment Mr.. .Holderman made to his son
one day. Clint Holderman had been
one Of IsabeTs most persistent admir-
erS.
THE trouble of all of you is you go
there shaking in your boots and talk
TO the judge, and come away with the
big head because you dared do that,
but 1 tell you if I was a young fellow
I'd out-sit him if L sat till the break of
day. It's some such pluck as that the
judge is looking for. He raised her
and he knows her value, and she amt
going cheap to none Of you. If you
can get in ahead of the other fellows
and tow her in, I'll give you $4,000 and
deed you a section of land. Come,
now, let's see what you're made Of
In some way this lordly promise got
Adrift the current of count gossip,
and reused the admirers OF Isabel one
nd oil RI ir1fp in "a
Large stories were told Of the late
hours the judge kept that winter with
1sabel's suitors.
Clint Holderman drove over to the
brick house early on the evening that
he had set his mind, with f1int-like de-
termination, to give his fathers ad-
vice a trial.
1t was a cold night, and as he sped
along in his new cutter, drawn by a
handsome span of black horses, and
we'll tucked in with buffalo robes, his
heart was warm with hope.
He had spent many evenings Of the
winter playing chess with the judge,
s. he was sure of his welcome; but to-
hight he looked beyond all this. He
thought of the hour when at last with
his heart and understanding touched,
the judge would bid them good night
and he should be left alone with Isabel. |
There was no handsomer young man
none who danced better or who drove
better horses, but more than all this, |
the judge had repeatedly told him that
he had never known man who played |
a better hand at chess.
This was an encouragement, indeed, |
fer If the judge had a weakness it was
for chess and it would be decidedly
pleasant to have son-in-law who
could be TO him such a ready source |
of entertainment. AS he drove into
the yard, the judge came out on the
side piazza.
"Good evening" he called out, ''just
drive on to the barn; the man will put
up your horses"
One of the farm hands came out of /
the stable as he spoke, and Clint threw
him the reins and followed the judge
into the house.
Swapping cold, but splendid sleigh
ing" the judge said, while Clint was
pulling off his overcoat in the hall.
Yes, 1 believe my ears are touched, %
Clint answered, rubbing them.
Isabel is popping some corn. She'll
be glad you happened over to help eat
It."
He led the way into the long sitting
room at the end of the hall.
isabel was on her knees before an
open wood fire shaking a corn-popper.
The white kernels snapped and ex-
panded with a pleasant sound.
The lamp mad not been lit, but the
freight made the room light and cozy
Isabel, here is Mr.. Holderman, my
dear.
She sprang up.
81 didn't hear you come in. Good
evening. Come over here by the fire
Why it's Ciintw she said as he came
into the glow. Il thought father meant
your father. / never think Of you as
Mr. Holdermani Have some corn"
She held the pepper open before him.
I'm sure ] never think of you as Miss
Hilton" he said, plunging his hand
into the corn, and laughing. ''That
would be a little too much like strang-
ers, as long as we've known each
other"
The judge cleared his throat
''I have always decidedly disliked the
informally OF country people in call
Jlames,' he said. 'It leaves no degree
in intimacy. But I suppose it is i'm
possible to know where to draw the
line"
Isabel went back and knelt before
the fire again.
ooh, 1 don't know" she said, shak-
ing the pepper vigorously. CAS- long as
it is a custom, 1 don't think anyone
feels it a mark of special intimacy, and
so the custom is protected by being
custom"
The young man sat awkwardly in his
chair, and was silent.
They seemed to be closing the doors
against any thought he might have
OF closer intimacy with the family.