Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-12-11

feelings, and mistake friendship tor love.
Robert HtOnOr and Miss Chaaedane have
grown up together-have been like
brother and sisSer."
Frequently they met after that. II
was IN unusually gay season at Spahcld,
and entertainments abounded according
~. In the morning drinking the water,
or making believe to drink it; in the If.
ternoon aauntering in the gardens, or on
the parade; In the evening ut the rooms
or at private parties; two or three times
did Mr.. Edbury and Miss Chasdane
meet, and linger together, and converse
with each other. Robert Edbury's time
was his own, and he staid on. He could
have staid forever. The two or three
weeks soiournhe had intended had more
than doubled itself. For he had learned
to love her passionately; and all the
world might see it for aught he cared.
She, too, might see it, If she chose; but
whether abe did or MT, he could not tell,
judging from the grave and sweet digni-
~ with which she met and bore back his
eager attentions.
At length there came an evening when
he was determined TO put his fate to the
test; to 90 on in this uncertainty was
worse than torment. They had not been
much disturbed by Robert Stoner; a
paroxysm of his complaint had confined
that gentleman to his own home.
And 10 Robert Edbury went up to the
old gabled house, before which his horse
had halted that first night, and sought
interview with Miss Chassdane. She
vas quite alone. The long French win
dow by which she sat was flung wide
open, and the low red sunlight streaming
in over her, lighted up her fair, gold
hair and the roses in her dress.
"How beautiful she isl" he thought,
he took her hand in his. "What il
should not win her after all? But l will
make a hard fight for it."
Jessie looked up inquiringly into his
face. "You are very SILENT" she said
and then, catching the earnest look in
his eyes, she blushed violently and drew
away her hand.
81 love you," he passionately broke
forth in a low tremulous tone, breaking
his emotional silence. II have come to
you this evening to risk my fate by say.
ing this, to win or lose all. Jessie, you
must know how l love you; how l have
loved you all along, from that very first
night that l spoke to you, neither of us
knowing the other. viii you not give
me some hope Of love in returnf Do not
send me from you an utterly broken and
discouraged manW
Jessie was silent for q monochrome
long, cruel moment TO Robert Edbury-
then the small, sweet face was turned to
him with gentle dignity. He knew mis-
doom beforehand, ere che spoke the
words.
"You must know how useless it was
to speak to me of this" she said. "You
knew, surely you must have known,
that was engaged to my cousin, Robert
Stonor."
Engaged to himf"
Eyes. We are engaged"
Neither spoke for q time. The scent
Of the flowers, blooming in the lonely
grounds on this side of the house, away
the dusty and busy highway,
seemed to mock them with its sweet
ness; the clustering shrubs and trees
waved gently in the summer evening
He could not speak at once; the sense
If his bitter loss was too great. The
sun streamed in upon him, light
ng up his distressed face, 1t seemed to
Tim that the great old-fashioned clock
n the hall licked out the jeering words
"Losti Lost!! Lost!!!"
Engaged" he said, at length, with
long-drawn breath. ~ did not know
t. But engagements, where no love is,
been broken many times before
"Hushin cried Jessie. Do not
speak like that again. 1t would kin
mimi You do not know what you are
saying"
elf he heard it, meant. He says he
me-"
"And you are sacrificing Yourself for
a fancy! Hear the truth,
Jessie. You car not for Mr.. Stonor,
except rs a cousin or q brother. Elk.
anime your own heart, and it will tell
you that you do not. You care for me.
You love me. Many a half word, q half
look has betrayed it to me. Yes, my
darling, it is Robert Edbury you have
learned to love, not Robert Stonor.
Your bushes, my love, are b~etraying it
now. You"
"What was that?" shrieked Jessie.
A low, smothcred sound, half groan,
half cry, had come in from the open
window. 1t was 80 full of pain that
man would not care to hear it twice in 6
lifetime. Before either could rush out
Robert etonor stood in the opening.
1t was a figure never to be forgotten
His handsome fair face was distorted
with either pain or anger; his pale lip
trembled; his left hand was pressed will
the old familiar gesture, upon his heart
"False, false that you arel" broke a
length from his bloodless lips, as he seize,
Jessie with his right hand. "You tol,
me you did not care for Robert Edbury
You told me"
A pause, a stagger; and with a fright
full shiver he fell on the carpet. Rober
Edbury broke the fall partially, but wa
not quick enough to quite save him fror
it. Jessie few from the room for assist
ance.
Robert StOnOr hereP" cried Mr.
Chassdane. al thought he was con6ne
to his chamber at home"
He had been confined to his chamber
but, alas. he had crept out of it tbs
evening, and come up to the house to DC
Jessie. With the fond hope Of surpri
ing her in the usual evening room, b
had gone round the ahrubbery, inten.
ing to enter by the window, and hs
heard all.
On the floor, there az he lay, his hea
raised on a cushion by the hands of Rol
srt Edbury, he died. The medical me
laid he could not, in any case, have live
many months, il weeks, but that th
agitation had killed him.
1t was many long days after tina
when she had risen from the sick bed I
which this shock of sudden death ha
brought her, that Robert Ebury cam
to say farewell to Miss Chassdane.
The interview was brief, studied
brief, for, with the shadow of that dea
man lying between them, speech va
difficult to both.
Goodbye" she cried, reaching on
to him an attenuated hand. II hop