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

NOT what, were I in his place, would
have satisfied me; but that is the form q
woman caprice takes with you, l have
concluded. As for not loving him al
bottom, l don't dare 90 to impugn my
noble cousins heart and understanding
/ ran ono more to the solitude of my
chamber. ! felt ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
/ flung myself on the bed in a transport
of despair. Why, / had lost all! Had
been 50 criminal that my punishment,
was so heavy3 "Ah, Frank" / cried
chow l have loved %you-what life
might have been!" Then / reflected, il
Mr.. Lacy loved me as I loved my cousin,
what q fine spirit and nature he had
shown; what a rare gift such a hear,
was! Miserable a. l was, it was deeper
misery to think l was the cause of his.
l wa very i'll after thase events, and
fears for my health quite absorbed any
anger my father might have felt at the
disappointment of q cherished desire, OF
perhaps Mr.. Lacy, by his representations,
had shielded me against it. When / re.
covered, people said l was very much
altered; and 80 l was. The flush OF
youth was passed; l was not 20, but
nothing of the childishness of a few
months back was left. Frank was mar
ried; and Mr.. Lacy we never saw-at
least l never saw him. Disappointment
had made life an earnest thing to me
and taught ly its discipline the character
OF my former love rose in dignity in my
eyes
How was it that what l had thought
would be a lifelong regret-my love for
my cousin.-secmed a transient emotion,
of which the traces grew daily feebler?
Had l sacrificed my happiness to a pass
ing fancy? Or YVES it that at my age one
cannot long cling to the impossible!
Little signiied the contrariety of my
heart; for the fact remained-if | had
never loved Mr.. Lacy before, l loved him
now, l thought p~erpetua]ly of the incl
dents of our brief engagement-every
word of endearment, every embrace had
its hold on my memory. l recalled his
opinions, framing my own stringsntly by
them, and followed his public career so
far as ] was able, aided by my deep
knowledge of the high principles and
motives that actuated it.
My chance came at last. At a large
dinner party l Unexpectedly met MIR.
Lacy. He came to me at once, spoke
kindly and gently, as in long past time
but there was nothing to lead to the
idea that he still loved me-no hesitation
in the well-known voice, no latent ten
derness in the searching eyes. 1 could
not bear it, and wish he would leave mt
to myself and not torture nae with that
cruel friendship. At my first opportu
nifty l turned from him and engaged my
self in conversation with a gentleman
who was well known to be one of my
suitors. 1t appeared like coquetry, bu'
it was the eagerness of self-instinct
That evening seemed very long and in
supportably painful. | had not known
how tenaciously l had chung to hop
until it failed me. When Mr.. Lac,
came forward to help me to my carriag'
I felt l could hardly receive the ordinar,
civility from him without betraying my
self.
l was surprised when he begged me t
turn into an empty room we passed OF
way to the hall. Mildred" he said
81 was going to ask you, when we frs
met tonight, whether l might resum
my old relations in your family. Nearl,
two years have passed since we last met
and l thought 1 could bring you bacl
the calm heart Of a friend. But yo
have so studiously stunned me, that t
ask permission now seems superhuou'
What am / to think? Have you nc
forgiven me yet for the misery l cos
you"
/ was silent. If I could have falle
at his feet and sobbed out the truth,
might have been blessed for life, but tha
would have been too great a sacrifice fe
even love to exact from a woman's prid'
elf the deepest sympathy in you
| disappointment could entitle me to Il
character of a friend"-Mr. Lacy pause
-"you would give me your hand willin
ly. Pardon me, Mildred, for what ms
seem an unmanly allusion, but it is Il
best to make tiff there is any chance
future friendship between us. 1t W
hard work to give you up; harder still
think the sacrifice had been in val
Had you been happily married, l cou
have returned to you sooner; but SUITE
ing, and to feel l had no power to sootl
-
This generosity was too much for m
l roSe up hastily from the seat | h,
taken. II cannot bear it," l said rashl
"the past has been cruel enough, b
this is worse than all. Oh, / am mise
able! Friends we a never be-let Il
go home!" / spoke with the fretfulne
of q child; he looked amazed.
cam l again deceived?" he aske
81 was told that the gentleman | s.
with you this evening, Mr.. Rranson W
your accepted lover. l know him we
he deserves you Mildred. l rejoiced
see you h and animated, as you us
to be, in his society-tO think there W
no blight on the future for you at lea
What can you mean? You will n
risk, surely, the happiness of bothf Fl
don me-" he added, ~coloring, al forge
l have not even a friends right to warn
On the brink of ones fate, to delibera
lie to lose all.
"Mr. Branson is nothing to me-"
said, white and trembling, "and W
never be more; the past will not
itself be 30 forgotten" My tone SEEM
to excite him.
"Mildredv he exclaimed p~assionatel
did you, then, love him SO much? A
had mine been the power!" He drew
long breath and fixed for q moment
gaze on my face that solved my Ia
doubt, broke down the last barrier.
Crank has long been forgotten"
said, and instinctively / held out n
hand. "That was q child's love. VIII
l want OF the future is to be what Il
past once promised, Mr.. Lacy"
I had stood erect and spoken audib
up to this point; but here my he'
dropped, my cheeks burned, yet fro
no ignoble shame. One quick glance
searching establishment, one rapture
exclamation, and I was folded in
arms.
Mildred, forgive my doubt. Y
have regretted me-you love me-"
Beyond what you have asked"
stammered, hiding my face on his sho,
der, "beyond friendship, l feel / ha
found my ark of refuge"