Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-05-08

srt We practised constantly together
He taught me how to play and sing the
| to me. ] do not wish to dwell on details.
but who does not know how subtle q me.
dunn of love = kindred pursuit and en-.
! joyment of music isf-and Mr.. Lacy had
never cared for music. Then again be
was my perpetual companion. Al
breakfast his clear eyes and welcoming
J voice opened the day, and after its long
; hours Of delightful intercourse his hand
, was the last I clasped at night. No At.
tempt was made to put any restraint
!, upon this dangerous compani0nship. My
father looked upon us Is brother and sis.
{ ter. Besides, the fact of my engagement
was known. and he had the most i'm
plicit confidence in his nephew's honor.
: He never considered my danger, yet il
; was the greater. He might be strong,
but / was weak. In short, / loved
frank.
A letter announcing the probable day
of Mr.. Lacy's return reused me to the
conviction of the truth. / carried il
up to my room, locked the door, and fell
on my knees. What should / do? Should
III keep my scored and sin against my
own soul by marrying one / did not
l0ye3 Surely that were the worst crime
Of the two. What wss left. me, then,
but 10 wound q noble heart, belle my
promise, inculpate my father. 1t seemed
. dreadful alternative. After many
hours o; agonized casuistry ! could not
decide, but determined to leave the issue
to chance. Did Frank love me? Strange
that / took that fact for granted, tortur-
ing myself with the idea OF what he
would sufier-he, with his young, strong
capacity for sorrow! This is not to be a
long story, 30 / must not stay to analyze
the state of my mind during the interval
that elapsed befoee Mr.. Lacy's return.
A criminal awaiting Q sure condemna-
ton, and that, approved by his own ach-
ing conscience, would understand my
feeling.
The evening came ON which we expect
ed him. Never before had u draw
ing room worn a o happy, home-like
character. My father read the news
paper at ease in his ample chair, my
handsome, lively aunt pei petually inter
rupting him with irrelevant remarks. /
sat near the tea-table, for a certain hour
had been fixed, and we waited for our
guest before we began our ~favorite meal.
/ held a book to hide the changes of my
countenance. Had / doubted my cousins
love before, l should have doubted it no
longer; how earnestly and searchingly
he looked at mellow grave and sad he
appeared.
The rap came. 1t was natural I
should start; but it was hard to smile
naturally at my aunt's pleasant raillery.
Mr.. Lacy came in; he was one of those
whose ~self-governed, serene manner, pre-
cludes flutter or embarrassment in 9TH
ers. The gentle f~riendhness of his greet
ing treasured me for the moment; un-
der it ! could imagine the strong, passion
ate current to exist that sometimes
broke its bounds
The evening passed smoothly and
pleasantly to all externals. MIR. Lacy
was very grave, but then it was to be ex-
pected of a con who had just left his
fathers deathbed; and my aunt's ami
mated tongue filled up the intervals
when conversation would have tagged.
Frank and l sang at my fathers request,
for l feared to seem unwilling; besides,
it precluded the necessity Of my exert.
ing myself to talk. Frank was very
serious, and, / thought, averse to sing
with me, but at the same time had never
suns, to more advantage.
The ordeal was over at last. Mr.. Lacy
took his leave without anything in hi.
manner t. make me fear or perhaps hops
tina. nv secret was discovered. A week
passed; he was constantly with us, show
ing me the same tenderness as ever
somewhat graver, but as certainly more
gentle. He seemet, too, to make a point
Of seeking Franks society, and spoke Of
him in high terms to my father. Oh
what q heavy heart l carried during tina
period. Looking in my glass l though
with wonder of the change six month
can work in mind and body. At the en-,
/ of those seven days / came to q resolu
ton that nerved me with something lik
: strength. / thought I would rave
direct interview with Mr.. Lacy, tell hin
the whole truth. and throw myself OF
| his generosity. Let him but release NJ
from ali engagement that became ever,
: hour more intolerable to contemplate
and l would consent to enter on no other
Let him bat free me, and l would liv
| unmarried forever; yes, though ! mus
: take labor and poverty az companions
It was the very evening of the day
, had come to this decision that l chance,
to meet Mr.. Lacy on the stairs at tn
hour of his usual arrival. Here was tn
/ desired opportunity, but ! trembled :
avail myself of it. He forestalled me
"Give me a quarter of an hour alone
Mildred, in the library" he said; +"
have wished to have a few words wit
t with you for days"
We went in; he placed me a chat
Y near the fire and closed the door, the
: came up to me, standing before me as b
. said:
"This, day, six months ago, Mildred
I | made a promise 1 am going to redeem
If you are not happy, l said, ! will fire
you from your engagement you mad
with me. You are not happy. / su,
{ pected the truth from your letters
{ those painful letters-and / saw it cor
firmed the first night of my arrivaI
I. The expression Of your face, the tone Q
your voice when you spoke to you
Z cousin, would have set the strongef
: doubts at rest, crushed the most pei
: tinacious hope" He paused q momen,
then went on as calmly as before: "
| acquit you of all blame, Mildred; it wa
: / that acted the unworthy part, takin,
unmanly advantage of my power to hel
: your father and your untried child
heart. If l were not now the only sui
ferer, / could scarcely bear the retro
spect;, but l am, thank God! As fo
{ your father, our fears magnifed his dar
: ger; the little help I was able to Civ
has re-~established his position as firml
5 ~ before. He will repay me; you ow
me nothing. I have had q wild dream
but am awake At last-awake cnoug
to see it wal = FOOLS idea that a man lik
, me could win 4 young girls heart"
!. He was calm no longer; but he turn
! ed abruptly away to hide his emotion:
! the conflict Of my love, II would fain d
. right. ! have a deep esteem. for you
: l." broke of. "Give me q littl