Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-04-15


ever put that silly idea into your
head? OF course saw the raven and
| heard the wren, but neither of them
spoke to me of love, that audaoious
piece Of assurance was left for you
to do my bonny boy. That | have
liked you from our first meeting as
children, will not deny, we have
been as brother and sister to each
other so long, 1 can hardly think Of
any other relation"
That is all right in it's way, Fran
ces, but you are dearer to me at this
moment than any sister could be to
a brother, no matter how much they
loved one another, will you not prom
Use me that?"--
Whatever the promise he desired
might have been, must be left to the
imagination of the reader, for his
words were suddenly cut short by
Toice which seemed to be carried
toward them from the direction of
he twin springs. Jesse was plainly
annoyed at the unwelcome Interrupt
ton, just as you, my young reader
would certainly be under like cir
cumstances, but as there was a some
thing in the voice that commanded
attention, he was compelled to wait
with whatever patience he might be
able to summon, until some more ia
yorable opportunity offered for the
much desired promise, just as many
another both before and since his
day have been obliged to do. They
listened intently for several minutes
for the sound was quite distant at
first, then as it came nearer their
faces lighted with pleasure, for they
knew to whom it belonged.
No foot of land do / possess;
No cottage in the wilderness;
A poor wayfaring man.
1T is the preacher, Mr.. Gray
ling, how happy he always seems to
be-" said Frances.
He is good man and has made
many friends since he came to this
part OF the country, your father es-
teens him very highly, Frances, l
don't know why it is but somehow
he has an attraction for me that |
cannot account for. / feel drawn
toward him as to no other man l ever
met, with the single exception of
your father"
MY father often says we were for
tunate in having him come among
US; for my part like him very much
he has such courtly ways, he is a
polished gentleman if ever there was
one. l don't understand what it was
that brought him to this country to
endure the hardships of the frontier.
Evidently he was fitted for very
different life."
"Ah! good evening, my young
friends, you seem to be making the
most of this pleasant evening, well,
1t surely is day to be enjoyed" was
the greeting Of the minister who ap-
preached the young people on horse
back.
oh! by the way Jesse, may
have word with you for a moment?
You will excuse him, won't you Miss
Frances?
Certainly Mr.. Grayling 1 will do
so with pleasure"
"Jesse!" began the minister, when
they were alone, Il just wanted to
wnisper word of caution in your
ear, to warn you against a young
man i take to be your enemy, he
seems bent on doing you harm and
from what / heard him say, he Is
only waiting for a favorable oppor-
tunity, Cobb believe he is called
james Cobb"
| "Oh yes! / know him very we'll,
he and had some trouble when we
were mere children, and ever since
then he has tried to injure me, so far
have escaped him however; how did
you find out that he had it in for me
as he calls his desire for revenge?'
1T was in this way, / was rid
ing up the ravine yonder on my way
to town, and as my custom is, tar.
ried moment at the brewery-why!
what are you smiling at Jesse?-tc
water my nag at the horse-trough
when l accidentally overheard this
young Cobb, who was inside the
building, vehemently denouncine
you, declaring to a companion that
he would get you yet. On hearing
your name l was at once interested
and did not fail to hear what they
said. think, my boy, it would be
we'll for you to have a care when you
are alone, especially at night.
thought l would just let you know
what was in the wind, so that you
could be on your guard"
Il am greatly Obliged IN vou cir