Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-11-27

I.
A sense of humor might have eased
the situation. The haste of Cowden,
who was grimly bent on catching the
nOrth-bound train due in an hours
time to pass a town ten miles away !;
the undisturbed tranquility of the
countryman beside him, who had left
his work to drive the stranger from
one town to the other; the old nag,
ambling along, insensible to all urgings
made up a combination not without
the elements of humor, but COwden was
essentially a seriOus-minded young
man.
The business that brought him there
on a flying trip dispatched to his salts
faction, he felt obliged to get back i'm
mediately to the firm with his report,
and to work again. 1t was always
work with COwden. His father, now
dead some years, had often remarked
with pride that there was no foolish
ness about Henry. His young sister,
from her feminine standpoint, declared
with indignation that he was the only
A4dA SIG ChCI hlACM WIZ SOOA0
bury himself In a lot of dry books
when the house was full of pretty girls.
But the girls, poor things, had never
been of more interest to him than so
many playful kittens.
Jogging along through the dust and
heat, Cowden, in the midst of his dis
comfort, became gradually conscious of
an exceeding thirst. He knew they had
no time to spare, and, mOistening his
dry lips, braced himself to bear his suf
ferings like a man; but presently the
sight of farmhouse nearby tempted
him greatly.
my friend" he said feebly, 81 am
dead for drink of water. Do you sup
pose could get one there?"
"Yes," said Jake; "somebody'll be
around; but don't furgit," he admon-
ished, as Cowden hurried off, don't
furgit that you amt got no time to
spare If you ketch that train"
Cowden climbed the hill on a run,
coming at a turn in the lane upon the
house, which he found surrounded by
a garden bright with old-fashioned
flowers. The veranda was covered with
fragrant hOneysuckle, and he became
aware at once that some one was sit
ting behind the vines. A steady thud
and splash reached his ears, and COM
ing nearer, he saw q girl in q blue
print gown at a churn. On seeing him,
she sprang to her feet and came to the
steps. The sleeves of her dress, which
was fresh and spotless, were rolled
above the elbows, revealing a pair of
round. white arms. A large apron was
tied snugly about her slim waist A
pair of very kind, bright eyes looked
straight into his, seeming both to ques-
lion and to SympathiZe with him in the
stress of the moment, while her cheeks
grew pink. Piled high above a smooth
and innocent brow of milky whiteneSs,
her ruddy hair cleaned like a coronet.
Her nOse-Cowden could never quite
recall aftcrward, except that it was
small and dear but the mouth, so SEN
sitive and sweet, smiling nervousiy one
moment to change to a demure gravity
the next-he never forgot her mouth.
"a beg your pardon" he gasped, re
moving his hat and unconsciously star
ing at the vision before him, "but
could you give me a glass of water?
I am in a great hurry, and if you
would be so kind"
Water" she exclaimed pleasantly,
Hof course! I shall be back in a mo-
ment." She turned away and with
2 little run disappeared in the house,
returning in a twinkling, a tumbler of
sparkling water in one hand and one
Of milk in the other.
81 brought some milk, too" she
laughed breathlessly; (which will you
haveT'
But for answer he only reached for
the water, raising it eagerly to his
lips
The girl watched him smilingly as
he drained the glass and returned it
with n deep breath Of satisfaction and
a word of thanks.
''You were thirsty!' she exclaimed.
"Some more?
''No, thank you" said Cowden, be-
ginning to move away. II wish 1
might" he replied, "but 1 must catch
train. / haven't q moment" But
he stood quite still and looked at her.
She made picture for man to carry
in his heart for many q day, standing
I'm the sunlight A kind OF good COM
radeship beamed from her clear, blue
eyes, and there was hint of friendli-
ness, sympathy, and a quick intelli-
gence IN the humorous little smile
which curved her llps-a sweet and
wholesome woman If one ever lived!