Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-09-16
LGnDy'S mistake.
BY Clio Stanley.

A sunny afternoon in May, with
green leaves blowing hither and
tnither, and the frolicsome little
winds climbing up the frail ladders
of the vines over the doorway, MAX
ing them all a-tremble. There was
sweet chorus of robins in the maple
tree, and blithe bits of melody falling
from the children's lips over the way.
There was sunshine on the graveled
garden walk, and it's yellow splendors
had stolen in through the Wide-open
door, and were caressing the backs
of the two gray kittens rolled up in
soft little balls at Lenny Towards
feet.
But Lenny was in one Of her I'M
happy moods that afternoon, and cared
nothing at all for the blessing OF the
spring sounds stealing in from the
Ieafy outdoor world There was a
cloud on her young face that the
sunlight could not Danish.
Dear me; I do wish Belle would
come back! She has been gone long
enou Oh to do forty errands, I am
sure; and she knows l am alone, and
tied to this hateful chair"
Two days before, at grand picnic
on the mountainside, Lenny Howard
had fallen and twisted her foot, so
that she would not be able, the doctor
said, to step on it for week; and
as she was a restless little mortal,
who Kept still ten minutes at time
unless she was asleep, the enforced
quiet was a terrible punishment; all
the more uncomfortable because Belle
Fairfax, who had promised to stay
with her all that dreadful week, had
gone out for half an hour, and had
already been gone two hours.
cts too bad!" she exclaimed again,
when another ten minutes passed
without bringing Belle. "Get out of
my way!" she exclaimed, pushing
the two gray kittens off the cushion;
''I'm tired of seeing you so still"
The kittens went rolling and roll
licking after each other across the
floor in a sudden spasm Of merriment,
and at the same moment Belle stood
in the doorway, laughing at their
pranks.
Even Lenny, vexed as she was,
could not help thinking what pref
ty picture Belle made, framed by the
old doorway. Such bright, laughing
face it was; nut-brown hair above,
nut-brown eyes below, both just
touched with a glimmer of gold;
cheeks the color of pink rose, and
lips still redder and sweeter; and I'M
der all a dainty chin with dimple
in it. But, then, Belle had been cruel,
and Lenny didn't mean to fiatter her.
you've been away two hours" she
began, with a doleful face.
II know it," said Belle, tossing her
hat on sofa, and sitting down in a
low chair by the window; "but then
you know l haven't been out for two
days, and it has been sucA perfect
afternoon. Besides"
Besides what?" asked Lenny, at
length; for Belle had picked up the
kittens and was playing with them,
apparently forgetful of the fact that
she had left her sentence unfinished.
A rose-fiush crept to her face at
Lenny's question, and she hesitated
a moment for an answer.
But the proud head was lifted at
last and the bright eyes fixed bravely
on Lenny's face.
Il met Frank just as | was coming
home, and as 1 wanted-I mean we
had something to say to each other
we walked back little distance.
am afraid Lenny, we really forgot
YOU. But you'll forgive me, and
won't leave you once tomorrow"
But Lenny looked at Bellies brig1
face. and hardened her heart against
her friend.
Had she not acknowledged tina
thew had forgotten her? and had mo-
Frank Maxwell been her devoted Low
er for six months? Only that day a
the picnic he had begged her to sa!
when she would be his wife, and nov
he had quite forgotten her in stroll
with Belle! 1t was certainly NOR
than any woman could be expected t.
bear with good nature, so she turned
her back on Belle, and refused to sa.
a word.
'Leuny," said Belle, with a littl
tremo4, In her voice, won't you LOO