Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1901-02-27
A CHANGE OF HEART.

son in his charge. This son was Harry
Unkum, youth Of greet promise and Of
glowing anticipations.
The widow was Mrs. Mary Folger. In
the other years she had not only been a
warm personal friend of the Unkums, but
her estate joined the Unkum estate, and
she also owned large share of the Fol
gerville mills, left her by her husband,
while the rest Of that valuable property
had descended to Harry.
1t had been the earnest desire Of the
Unkum now deceased that his son should
wed with the daughter of his near and
dear friend.
81 am satisfied" pursued Mrs. Folger,
"that Harry will never marry my child.
The very fact that his father and have
had the moose so long prepared for him
inclines him to avoid it. And yet doubt
IL he will find better wife. Lizzie is a
good girl"
"She's an angel" cried Uncle Tim,
"and vastly too good for the graceless
scampw
81 should not care so much," said the
widow feelingly, ''only that Lizzie has
regarded Harry as the man who was to
be her husband, and she has learned to
love him."
"And," added Uncle Tim emphatically,
II am sure that Harry loves her, only he
will not bring himself to acknowledge it.
Mrs. Folger, if you and Lizzie will come
and spend week at my house, l think
can bring Master Harry to his s-ases."
''Now, Master Harry" said Uncle Tim
In an abrupt manner, 81 want one thing
distinctly understood. Mrs. Folger and
her daughter will arrive this evening, and
I would know if you have any claim upon
Lizzie Folger's hand or hearth
''No, sir" answered the nephew.
'"That is all. We shall now know how
TO receive and entertain our guests"
Toward evening Mrs. Folger and her
daughter arrived.
Harry greeted her as an old playmate,
and after tea he sang with her and talked
Of the bygone schooldays. But Lizzie
was not over and above sociable, and when
In the bright moonlight of the August
evening they walked out upon the piazza
she took his uncle's arm instead Of his,
and he was forced to offer his arm to the
mother.
On the following day Uncle Tim caused
his span of grays to be hitched to the
ligh. buggy, and as the team appeared at
the door Lizzie came out arrayed for q
ride. Uncle Tim calamity handed her to
her seat, and, having placed himself by
her side, he took the reins and drove off.
1t was late in the afternoon when the
grays, upon their return, came prancing
TO the door. Uncle Tim leaped out with
wonderful agility, and, having handed
Lizzie to the piazza, he kissed her upon
her dimpled cheek, exclaiming in a most
exuberant manner as he did so:
"Bless you, my darling! You are an
angelw
And Lizzie looked up and smiled and
patted him upon the cheek in return.
Harry had been standing upon the pi-
azza, and he muttered something very
far from blessing.
During the forenoon Of the third day
Uncle Tim met his nephew in the hall
and called him into the library.
"Harry, my boy" he said, with glow
ing face, 81 have deemed it my duty 70
let you know that there is soon to be a
change in our household. l am ging to
give it mistress"
81 don't understand"
Haven't you got eyes? What dye
suppose / brought Lizzie Folger hers
for?"
"Do you mean that-that you are going
to make her your wife?"
"And what do you find wonderful in
that?"
"At your ageYs
"At my age! What dye mean by that?
At my age! I am only 52-in the prime
Of life. / was never younger in health
and vigor. Confound your impudence! A
girl of sense looks for a supporter and
protector in husband"
Harry began to open his eyes to the
true state of his own heart. The thing
which he had regarded as set apart espe-
cially for him and which he might take
into possession at any time he had not
been anxious to claim, but now that he
saw the prize in the hands Of another he
was startled into a new estimate Of the
value of the boon he had sighted.
In the evening Harry followed Lizzie
into the garden. He had resolved to do
desperate thing and was prepared to be
plain and outspoken. He urged her to sit
down, and as he took seat by her side
he found her trembling.
"Has my uncle asked you for your
handT'
"He has"
"And have you given him favorable
answerY ~
"My answer has not been unfavora-
ble.'
"Oh, Lizzie! had not thought this Of
you"
"How? Not thought what?"
"That you could thus slight me-"
"Slight you? / do not understand"
"Yes-you do nderstand-no-don't go
away-don't leave me! have loved you,
Lizzie!'
"You-you loved me-"
'Yes. Here on my knees I confess it."
''Indeed, Harry, you must not. YOU
you
He was eloquent and impassioned, so
much that ere long Lizzie's head was pill
lowed upon his bosom and one of her
arms twined about his neck.
"And you will not give your hand to
my uncle"
''He never asked it for himself, Har-
ry."
''What, not for HIMSELF"
mo; he asked me for my hand, but II
was for you he wanted it."
"But," gasped the lover, what did he
mean by telling me that he was going to
make you mistress of his house?"
she told me-" answered Lizzie, that
II ever became your wife ! should have
this old mansion"
IL all hscc