Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-09-21

Martinssu. in . low tone. did voc
say you never saw your unels's
guestsr'
walt a minute: ] am going to tell
you. she replied. when l vas be-
tween sixteen and seventeen q change
came about in my world. The OLD
schoo'nss'er died. There was q pauss
In tue regular routine OF my days. Lefs
enafeiS 10 my own devices. ! used 70
wander all over the upper parts Of tbs
mouse In one OF the a,ties l found Q
box iul! Of books. Some were dull and
unints'esting. but some weFe-weil. ]
DO NOT think you. can have any idea
OF whst II was to ne to become ae-
quaihisi with Sir Waller Scott. Thsek-
cray sas Lord Lytton. Ny brain a.
most reeied with an accumulation OF
new IDEAS ! wondered how In the
world ! could have remained where !
Was SO long In helpless. stupid ignor-
anee OF life. ! soon resolved that !
would lear IL no longer. ] would
brave ny uRele: would demand my
freedom; ] would ask why ! was
mewed ap thus in \ corner. away from
all conpanionship.
i reasmber that nigh, yiyiaiy. II
was August. suitry and still. and both
atmosphere and sky Sers beautifully
clear. had spent the afternoon un-
der the willows by the brook, sloa,-
Ing over my novel iii the facing iigh,
compelled me TO close the book. Tho
pastures. as ! walked linsrfinkiy back
10 tho house. were heavy with dew.
and diseolored the hem OF my phite
cotton dress. mus, have been .
strange looking s!rl: my hair noa,ed
all over my shoulders and down my
back below my waist: nobody had
ever told me that ! vas growing up.
and tina; my locks should DO arranged
more neatly. ! came with SLOW x,epa
round the corner o! the house. brushing
my hand softly along the thick dark
box trees: my lishtiy-shod feet made
no noise on the gravel as I turned
the corner Of the elump OF thick bushes
which stood at each side o: tho en-
trance. and advanced toward tho heavy
white columns o. the porch.
Then started back and paused
irreholuisly. for ihcr. was a stranger
standing by the door young man
with bare head and folded arms. !
beg your pardon. Mr. Mart!ncau. did
siarile you!'
Not In tho least. thanks. You-yeu
can't ,hink how you in;crcs, n.
Please don't pause
1t seems n strange thin. that up TO
that nigh, had never encountered
any o! my uneic's guests. but Il IL
nevertheless quite true. As he turned
and cnush, sight o. me. hc uttered an
exclamation OF surprise.
"'You startled me- he said.
s'You startled nc. too answered
vaguely. as looked At him. there came
floating Into my mind "reminiscences
Of tho romaneca with which had lato-
ly fiicd my head. though; OF the firsi
meeting between Ivanhoc aud Rcbceca
rs I looked up n, him. lie spog my
hand. drew me TO his side. aad paitcd
my hair kindly.
"'whosc dear little girl arc your
he said.
Il felt cruelty wounded and hurt!
There was every excuse for him-you
see how small ! an. no taller than q
child. my hair was Nil down my back.
md the l!Eh; was FADING! Ba, never
thought OF that. Plciusc to yogrsci!
n girl. with n mind jus; awakened to
a consciousness Of womaaho9i aad It's
possibilities. brought face to face wi;h
the first young man CHE had eyc= met,
and greeted Us I was greeted then! lie
must have thought me mad ! burs,
into Indignant tears. and tore myself
away from him.
"'How dare you-oh. how dare you
speak to me like that?" cried. I
can't think how you can insul, me SOL
II think he saw then that he had
made a mistake. for he said. by
George. I beg your pardon!' But /
would no: stay another moment. ran
upstairs to my own room. There I
cried rs II my heart would break. ]
had deeply realized how neglected .
was. and there was no ono to help me
to gain redress!"
ITO be continued.)