The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-08-12
AI,LFOR THE BEST.

ALLEVh III IE'ols
''And is this to be the end Of all my
bright dreams, Shclah? Have you
only led me on, making me believe you
cared for me, until you forced from me
a confession of my love, that you might
add another to your long list of con-
quests? I knew you to be selfish and
proud but I did not believe you cap
able of this. But / will not censure
you, if your conscience does not-Il love
;ou too we'll for that
And the speakers eyes rested with a
loving, pitying glance upon the dark:
handsome face by his side.
Shelah Fortescue did not meet this
look, but stood, with downcast eyes,
nervously pulling to pieces Il geranium
leaf she had just plucked.
In average faces the power of cX-
preston is pretty evenly divided among
the leading features, but Shelah Fortes-
cues eyes seemed to monopo)ize it. 1t
would have been hard to find sweeter
mouth when the eyes were smiling; it
would have been difficult to match the
delicate outline of the face, or the ex-
quisite chiscling of every feature
Nothing could be more finished than
the contour and pose of the high-bred
little head, or the wealth of raven hair
by which it was sulmounted. But
from all these the attention was with
drawn when the dark, mysterious eyes
flashed upon the spectator a look in
which all their expressional power was
concentrated. Eyes likethose might sug-
gest that they would express too much
unless they We're under remarkable
control by their owner. But this they
were, for Sllelah Fortescuc could, when
from those dark, dreamy ewes than
most women would in half an hours
conversation. But now those eyes were
hald concealed by the long jet lashcs,
and you could only tell that she heard
the deep: impassioned words addressed
to her by the impatient manner in
which she tossed away the leaf she
held in her hand.
''Shelah;" he said, after waiting in
vain for reply, ''can you give me no
hope-no promise that may serve as a
goal in the race Of life? All, darling,
you, with your cold, proud nature. can
not comprehend how deep and lasting
is my love for you. I know I have lit
tie to offer you now in return for the
love l ask, but can YOU not promise
me that some time in the future, care
not how far distant that time may be,
if should bring name-one which
men honor-to lay'at your feet, you
would then accept my love? l know
my life has been o1>e of idlencss and
folly up to the present time, but it was
because there was nothing to stimulate
me to follow the higher and noblel
walks OF life. and simply followed
where my idle inclinations led. But
with such a prize rs your love in view
there is nothing I would not do OF
dare
And as he ceased speaking, almost
unconsciousIy, he attempted to take
her hand. She drew back hastily, and
for the first time spoke, and her words
came in clear, measured tones "To
say that am surprised would but i'll
differently express what I feel at this
moment, Elmer. When you first men-
toned this subject, I supposed you
were testing, but, since YOU have as
sumed such a tragic style, must either
think you are really in earnest or that
you have been cast for disappointed
lovers part-one of the fierce ones, you
KNOWN some private theatricals, and
that you take this opportunity Of re-
hearsing your part. If I am correct
in my latter surmise, let ME assure YOU
that, if my criticism is worth anything,
the piece will be a complete success az
far as your acting is concerned"
And she laughed low, musical
laugh, as she toyed with chased
gold bracelet upon her shapely wrist
"Shelah, how can you speak SO light
ly of a subject which to ME is the most
serious Of my life? Has not my un-
firing devotion to you for months past
been automatic proof of my lover
eyes, Elmer, your attentions have
been somewhat pointed, and on several
occasions you have been uncommonly
sentimental for one of your matter-of:
fact disposition; but did not suppose
for moment that these little bursts Of
sentiment would eliminate in anything
more serious than your making love to
me in general way, the same as you
did to hundreds of others. Your love
making seemed to please you, and, as
it did not materially inconvenience me
felt some conjunction about depriv.
ing you of the pleasure of occasionally
being sentimental"
''But, shelah. love you-madly, de.