Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-01-19
CHAPTER !.

trains never are punctual. Two spots
OF snow throw the whole system into
confusion and our station Is the worst
manteau coming up the lane, they are
sent into fits of nervous incapability.
Accidents! wonder they don't have
an accident every hour shouldn't be
at all surprised--oh, no, don't mean
that papa! but why don't she conner
DO you think the horses have fallen
down, or Ia 1t only because that horrid
train is later even than usual?"
And Carrie Dalton turns from the
open window at which she had been
standing, with flushed, impatient face,
and Indignantly questioning eyes.
1t Is the face Of child--a girl,
rather In her sixteenth year; just two
years older by the bye, than the un.
fortunate Miss Juliet Capulet, OF
Verona, when she married Slgnor
Romeo Montague OF the same town
awkward, angelic sixteen.
The individual addressed as papa is
an elderly man, short In stature,
stumpy of figure, red Of face, and--as
commonplace as an English tradesmon
possibly could be.
"Eh-what2 2" he says, opening his
eyes, drawing the red silk bandana
from his bald head, and turning un.
easily IL the capacious armchair, In
which he has been having n comfort.
able but by no means silent nap.
What did you say, Carrie? ] was
--ahem--just dropping off to sleep |
think"
Papa" is the quiet and scornful re-
tort, you have been snoring for the
last hour ! was saying that this
beastly--I mean horrid train is later
than ever 1t is half past eight. and
May was to have been her ut Ave min.
utes to, 1t Is hameful-smply
shameful"
Mr.. Dalton arises slowly, blows n
loud and prolonged blast in the ban.
dana, takes out watch Of tho most
pronounced fryingpan type, and slow.
~ compares It with the enormous gilt
monstrosIty which stands like tho
model Of gaudy mausoleum on the
elaborate carved mantelplece.
"Uumph this clocks Ave minutes
slow. wish James or Joseph, or one
of them, would keep It right. Some.
body Will lose their train some day.
May late, III she. All yes"--another
blast In the bandana-"is that window
open Carrie? There's fearful
drunght COMMUNICATIVE caught an.
other cold. Carrie, shut the door my
dear"
But he appeals to unheoding ears.
The girl has heard the sound of an mp
preaching carriage, and with fiery
golden hair streaming like u meteor be.
hind her, she is flying down the steps
and around to the front drive.
Mr., Daton goes and shuts tho win.
dow, takes up the Times, gances at
tho market lists, lays tho paper down
again, and stands before the porcelain
crate. with his hands behind his back,
and that expression on his face with
which he awaits an interview In the
private room behind his warehouses
In Criticized Frars.
Meanwhile, Carrie bounds along the
winding path, and gains the front
steps, just as n carriage, shining dag
zllngly in all the glory of varnlsh,
polished brass, now hammer.cloths,
and brilliant liveros, turns the corner
and dashes up to the front
With scientific exaetness the wlgged
coachman pulls up the restless bays
tho long.coated footman drops down
and opens the door, and Carrie darts
forward With crimson face aud dane
ing eyes.
ooh, May, is It YOU at last?" she OK,
claims, painting
"Yes. dear, what's left of me" says
a light, musical voice from amid the
silk Innings, and the next moment the
late arrival steps out and takes the OK
pectaut girl to her bosom.
ooh, May, I'm 80 glad, so glad you've
come It seems such long--long
while; and how late you are! And
was there an accident and how did
you like the carriage and-oh, May,
how beautiful you've grown!"
DIV hlNlh0 VII PANNNhANt lNhilllN
back TO stare with almost awed admir-.
alton at the face above, just above
her.
May Dalton. for she Is Samuel Dal-
tons eldest daughter, laughs. and
stoops to kiss the fair, flushed face
And how long you've grown, dear
DO you wear stills In this part Of the
country? Let me look Mt your feet.
oh, nearly long dress, Good gracl.
Gus and | have been calling up the
vision Of little girl in pinafore and
pigtail waiting to see me. Carrie, It
strikes me it's wicked to grow SO
fast"
"Rut--but I'm almost sure you have
grown" responds Carrie, clinging
hanging on to her arm, as they enter
the hall 'Pm--l'm sure you havel
And, oh! May, what do you think OF II
all?"