Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-08-24

Pa GLADDEN. was so anxious his little
feet danced up and down in the snow
"Oh, We want you real bad next
week, Angelina! We've been waiting
and expecting till we're set on it spe
cial, Do say you viii come"
Il b'lieye pail burst, If you don't
come, Angelina" said his wife, che
gets so set on anything"
well, / WILL" assented the widow
| used 10 have good times at your
house when l was girl. never have
forgotten them"
Pa went through an expressive pan
temime behind her.
"And pail fetch you on Sunday
afternoon went on Mrs. GLADDEN. IF
the snow don't stay on he'll fetch you
in the buggy"
Aftcrward Mrs. GLADDEN. declared
that pa spent the happiest week of his
life getting ready for that couple to be
reunited. 1t never struck his warm
and innocent heart that anything could
go amiss He piled up special wood
for the parlor, he lowered around the
two bedrooms, he actually had his
fingers in every pie and cake baked
He went to the village store alone once
or twice, and after the last visit wore
an air of the deepest mystery.
Mrs. GLADDEN. stood this until the
hour Of retiring.
"Asahel!' she exclaimed, with a
break in her voice "Asahel. you never
had a secret from me in all your life
did your"
The rosy man looked as guilty as IL
detected in crime, He saw her kind
eyes and his voice quavered
Never before, he whispered, but
I'm so afeared you can't hold this one
over Sunday meetin' I'm bound not to
breathe it,
One dry sob brought him to terms.
at air. he whispered, tiptoeing over
to her, ''it air that ! telegraphed to
Devy to git here on the Sunday after
noon express"
Mrs. Gladden's attitude toward The
world on Sunday morning was the
gossip of the neighborhood for weeks
She suddenly assumed an air of funeral
dignity; would converse with no one,
and stalked silently out after meeting
and climbed into the sleigh triumph
antly.
You've done it," whispered her hus-
band, delighted II didn't credit you
with it,.
After dinner the parlor fire was it,
the table spread for company tea, and
Pa GLADDEN. wrapped himself up to go
for Angelina He was so happy his
wife's heart trembled.
PA, she said, don't you set too
much store by it. Deyah may have
other intentions, and Angeline may
not agree
you don't think It'll" declared pa.
tier than she war; Deyy air man;
that settles it ALL Now do your part.
I've told you jest what to say to her
Leave Devy to me, Men understand
men"
He brought Angelina and her valises
back in an hour Mrs. GLADDEN. re-
joiced in her womanly Beauty She
kissed her as tenderly as If she had
been young girl when she helped her
in. Angeline's face beamed.
How nice you've made everything
for mel" she cried. cts like a home
coming" Her face grew thoughtful
at makes me think of old times-old
friends"
"Well, just settle down and make
yourself at home, said pa, coming in
81 have to be gone an hour or two.
You and ma can have a good old talk"
Awhile later he was stamping off the
falling snow on the platform of the
station. The express stopped, usual
proceeding A tall, bron2ed man
alighted and pa met HIM, so eager ne
almost cried over him as he shook
hands.
Alas, alas! All pas fnesse and sub
tie phrases we're forgotten He was es
nervous as woman. Finally he
refined in Dolly, almost in sight of the
house
"Deyy," he quayered, Il always felt
so sorrowful bout you an Angelina
Porter's break-oif You war so happy
together when you was young. Devy,
I've got Angelina here She air a Wild
ow; she air a finer woman n you could
see in a days travel. 1t air the desire
Of my heart to bring you two to-
gether."
The man beside him grew pale and
gasped; then he wrung the mittened
hand.
Good Ma GLADDEN. came out to the
sleigh. She, too, had forgotten her
part She had been crying and broke
down.
please 'scuse Angelina" she said,
brokenly; she Is there in the parlor.
Don; you want TO go in. Devah? I
guess you needn't be afeared"
The tall man strobe past her, his
own eyes misty. The welded couple
left on the steps were not ashamed TO
kiss each other with tears and smiles.