Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-12-30
YOUNG LOVES AWAKENING,
1t Came Just In Time to Prevent the Step
That Is Not Easily Retraced,

1t Came Jast In Time to Prevent the step
That Is Not Easily Retraced.
Years ago." said Cleveland
man, II made long stay in an
English county. visited one of my
relatives, who owned a small estate
near a big manufacturing town,
and, being a young fellow with
plenty of time on my hands, staid
on much longer than I originally
intended. l made number of ac-
quaintances, and among them a
family named Jerrold, father, moth
er and daughter. They had a neat
little place few miles from where
was stopping, and became quite
we'll acquainted with them. So
well, in fact, that fell in love with
the daughter. She was a fine, big
girl, with very black hair and very
red cheeks and voice that could be
heard across ten acre field. She
could ride like the wind and walk 20
miles without murmur.
"Well, she sort of carried me
away with her impetuosity. 1 be-
came frequent visitor at their
home and everybody made me well
come. One day had fairly made
up my mind to pop the momentous
question. Miss Laura was more fas-
cinating than ever, despite her bois-
ferrous ways, that l never could
quite forgive, and the day was one
of those lovely ones in early May,
when nature seems at her very best.
1t was just little chilly, but the
sunshine tempered the raw edge of
the atmosphere delightfully."-. Laura
and went out for a walk. When
we came back, left her in the house
and went out to look for her father.
l had fully determined to ask him
for her hand.
Laura told me I would probably
find him at the stables, and started
in that direction. 1 had left my
light top coat in the hall, and as
started across the big lawn felt
chilly and turned back to get the
coat. l made no noise in entering,
and was just taking down the gar
ment when heard my name called.
The speaker was Laura, and she
was in the morning room, as they
called it, just back of the hall.
Lauras voice was so penetrating
that could not help hearing every
word she said. I should not have
listened, but for the life of me
couldn't help it.
Yes l heard her say, I've
bagged him sure. He's out to the
stables now, looking for you, pop
per, and when he gets your reluc-
tant consent he'll see me. Now,
what are you going to offer him as
my wedding portiona'
There was murmur of words
that / coildn' t catch, and then Lau-
ia laughed.
Going to turn over the BUNDLE
comb calling stock, are youi Well,
you are sly old pepper. Never
mind, he won't know the difference.
And are you sure that the letters
you received are all straight
There was more talk that could
not understand, and then Laura
spoke again:
Rich daddy, eh, and nice town
house and society relatives. That's
all right. Anyway, it's better than
genteel poverty over here. Don't
you be afraid. He shan't slip away
II didn't wait to hear any more,
but tiptoed out. didn't try to find
her father, who l suppose was lying
in wait for me on my return from
the stables, but just as soon as I
could decently do so I-rode back to |
my relatives, and a day or two later
started for home. Laura's daddy
was choleric old fellow who had
been in the army, and didn't know
what sort of a row he'd kick up if
he saw me escaping. But got away
safely with loves young dream very
rudely shattered and have always
thought l had very narrow es-
cape. cleveland Plain Dealer.