Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-12-31
THREE IN A GARDEN
~ n the gray stone steps that led
@OS~

m y tHe gray stone steps tnat leo
w from one smooth lawn to another
stood Cynthia. One foot had
sought lower step, the other fingered
above. and the clinging gown of white
out of which peeped shoulders yet
whittier, outlined the slender figure The
expression on the face under the large
hat, bent downward by ribbon tied
daintily beneath the chin, showed rapt
attention to the notes of violin, pro.
ceeding from behind the closely crop
ped hedge.
1t was picture q man might look
upon for all summers day, and then
not have his fill. But l, from my seat
beneath the trees, found no pleasure
In it.
Curse the long-haired, fiddling fell
low! | muttered, and began to walk
across the lawn to Cynthia. But even
when | stood below her, with my hat
DOTTED, l might have been a man in
visible for all the notice | gained.
Good day, Cousin Cynthia" said l.
The music from behind the hedge
sobbed and walled yet louder. my
self could have fancied a tune with
more spirit; something to stir mans
blood-to fill him with the wild mad
ness of the charge-aye, or even a
Tousing song to suit the passage of the
hagon. But it was evidently to the
taste of my cousin, for she still stood
listening, and took no notice of my
Salutation.
1T Is fair morning." said l. at
length, thinking she was not aware
OF my presence, and seeking to at
tract her notice.
J your voice is not in harmony with
these sweet strains, cousin" she re-
piled, not favoring me with even so
much as look.
I'm truth, a crying child would suit
them better" l retorted.
Cynthia deigned no reply, but drew
aside as l assembled the steps, and stood
abreast of her.
You treat me harshly, cousin" said
j. ~
mr -, '"'Sa..
Il did not bid you come"
you go up with meY I In
CURED, pointing to the lawn above us.
NAY, am going down"
ITO him." l added, bitterly. "You
do, indeed, go down."
Cynthia laughed merrlly.
|. "A witty cousin" she cried. "But
possessing little courtesy. as, indeed,
found last night"
Il was angered, and did not pick my
words
Indeed, but you did, cousin; you
picked the most unpleasant"
Perhaps l had occasion"
Perhaps? Or not? 1t Is Of little
consequence" exclaimed Cynthia, rails
ing her white shoulders with great
show of indifference. Good morning,
cousin"
She held out her hand to me, and
touched it lightly with my lips. Then
she ran down the steps, and began to
cross the lawn below.
l have heard it said, and by those
who should know, that none moved
with more grace than my cousin Gym
thia And |, as ! stoou motionless on
the steps, gazing after her, was sud-
denly filled with very passion Of love
and longing. | would go after her
throw myself at her feet, and beg her
to give me back her love, which but a
day since l had thought was mine.
But as my pride and my love fought
within me, Cynthia had reached the
hedge whence came the music. l fan
cied she half turned her head toward
me; certainly she paused a moment. l
ran down the steps.
But then she vanished behind the
hedge; and Immediately the music
ceased. l turned away full of anger
and despair though as yet | failed to
realize how that which had happened
were possible, and how my dream Of
happiness had been shattered in an
hour. For on the previous evening
there had been dancing in the great
house that stood in the midst of the
garden, and /, as a favored sutton, had
many times claimed the hand of the
Lady Cynthia. 1t is true it had been
granted me, and my friends had still
no reason to believe but that was in
possession Of her heart. But l knew
differently, for though her hand was
in mine, her eyes sought continually
the face of young STRIPPING, mem
Der OF the company of musicians hired
to play while we danced. At first l
mistrusted my eyes, refusing to be-
lieve such a thing. Few were more
proud than my cousin, and it seemed
impossible that she, of the highest in
the land, could smile on mere fiddler
from the court. But lovers eyes are
quick; and the truth, hideOus though
it were, forced itself upon me. Then,
lfoolishly, spoke bitter words to her,
and she returned them. l reproached