Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-02-28

Ana Cnen Ms carryingS-on with the
girl up at the 'Mitre.' and-but there.
that doesn't matter now, I'll tell you
what, though; don't believe a word
about this fortune Of his. He's not
the sort Of chap to put money by
it's easy come and easy go with him,
to my way Of thinking"
Mr.. Marsden did not trouble to ar
que the point with his wife; but, like
the good.natured man he was, allowed
her to have the last word.
"Hetty" he cried. Come here, Het-
ty, want you"
She came into the kitchen at his
call, her face as white as a sheet Of
paper.
"Why, Lord sake alive! whatever
afls the child?" exclaimed her mother,
you look as though you'd seen
ghost. What's the matter with you?"
With knowledge born Of long ex-
perience, Hetty threw herself down
on the rug at her fathers feet, mum
bling words to the effect that her head
was aching, and the good man with
frown and shake of the finger at his
wife, put his mouth down close to the
girls ear and whispered:
'Have you heard the news. Hetty?
Young Harry Morton's come home"
He had expected to see her raise her
head and bright sparkle to come
into her eyes; but he was grievously
disappointed, for she obstinately kept
her face averted and uttered merely
a mechanical:
ooh, has he?
eyes, and he's come back as rich as
a-as rich as "a"
"Oh, fudgev' interpolated the prac
teal Mrs. Marsden; "don't you believe
what he's saying, Hetty-it's only idle
village talk"
But he is really backY hazarded
Hetty, feeling that some remark from
her was called for. isn't he?"
'Back7 Yes" cried her mother,
"and-well, bless my heart If that
isn't his knock-I should know it in
a thousand"
She ran and opened the back door
the front one was only used on state
and ceremonial occasions returning
half minute later followed by Harry
Morton.
Hetty had risen hurriedly from her
seat upon the floor, as red now as she
had been white before, and stood
shrunk back into the shadow until the
congratulations between her parents
and the visitor were over. Then
there was no help for it-she adj
vanced timidly, yet with a certain air
Of defiance, and put out her hand.
He took it quietly, with a quick
look into her eyes and a sudden flush
ing Of color into his bronzed cheeks.
You haven't changed bit, Hetty."
he said; and she, laughing now, as
sured him that if his name had not
been announced she would never have
recognized him at all.
His three years of rough life had
certainly wrought a wondrous change
in him, and there were now a decis-
ion and manliness in his bearing, a
firmness in his strong mouth, and a
will and purpose in his keen, gray
eyes which contrasted favorably with
his self as she had formerly known it.
Hetty had not as yet trusted herself
to take a full and comprehensive view
of him, her s4delong glance having
been sufficient to cause her heart to
beat rapidly and her eyes to become
dim and misty.
What a little fool she had been not
to accept his offer Of three years ago,
when they stood together that night
at the gate of the farm.
Il have always loved you, Hetty,
darllngw he had said-and, oh, how
low and tender his voice had been!-
land if only you could love me in re-
turn just little bit
And she had swept his declaration
aside with laugh, spurning the offer,
even at the very moment when her
own heart was palpitating with pas
sion. Another word from him and she
would have confessed her love; but he
had turned angrily upon his heel, and