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

present time.
1t is an unpretending little cottage
that stands somewhat back from the
public street, its porch surrounded by
clinging honeysuckle vines, whose bios
SONS shed,a delicate aroma upon the
evening air, reminding Elmer Royston,
as he stood leaning against one Of the
pillars of the porch. of that never-to-be-
Forgotten evening long ago, when it
seemed to him that all the light and
Joy of his life had been extinguished
And, as he slowly reviewed the past
and thought how little there was in life
worth living for, it seemed to him that
the fates had been doubly severe in
thus check ering his life with such sor-
rows and then frightening it out when
it seemed that sorrow was unbearable.
Was not an early death, he thought,
prefe rable, to remaining long in career
mingled with sorrow and regret and
growing old in disappointment and
care? Wild, wicked thoughts rose in
his mind-thoughts to which he would
never give tongue-and his face be-
came hard and stern in the gathering
shades of the summer twilight. as he
mutters:
Eyes, men have done it often before:
why should not9 fit were not for
what the world would say, | would not
hesitate; but | know only too well what
the popular verdict is in such cases-I
have heard too often;
"What is it you have heard too Oft
en-, Elm err" asked a low voice just be-
hind him, the tones Of which were as
soft and sweet as those of an -Eolian
harp.
He started and turned hastily toward
the fair girl who had just stepped
from the cottage door out upon the
porch.
"Oh, it is you, ma belle Nina l had
fallen into Il train of thought, alone
here III this romantic twilight, and l
suppose must have unconsciouly been
conversing with myself. Deuced poor
company, thought, 1 assure you. And
beside, you have doubtless heard the
old provcrb which says, He who talks
to himself talks with the devil If such
be the case, his satanic majesty and
myself were in close communication
moment ago"
The cold, hard look had vanished
from his face; and was replaced by
the reckless, deyil-me-carc expression
which he usual v wore.
"And what may have been the sub
ject Of your meditations? Building air
castles, suppose?''
Pardon me but you are wrong. My
castles were all completed and den,olish-
ed long ago was thinking of the vani-
tas vanitatum Of the world i'll general
my life in Particular
"And ! suppose you prefer your own
cynical thoughts to my company. If
So"
"And if 80 you will vanish like a
beautiful dream, [ suppose" he said,
with that old air Of gallantry which was
characteristic of him in years gone by"
Yes of course I'll not stay where my
company is neither wanted nor ap-
Dreciatcd," she replied with a pretty
little pout.
But do appreciate and want your
company, particularly at the present
time; for l am suffering from one Of
those depressions of spirits commonly
known az the 'blucs,' and | know Of
nothing that will so soon dispel my
present attack as an hour Of your COM
pany. The fact is Nina if there is any
good in me it always seems to come
nearer the surface when ] am with you
Wicked though am with every sin in
the calendar on my soul, always seem
better from having been with you. All:
Nina, if all women were as true to
their better natures as you are: there
would be fewer men with lives wrecked
by woman's Inconsistency! He will in
deed be happy man who can some
day win your heart
The gathering shades Of night were
too deep for him to note the glad flush
that spread over her face at the words
of praise, and she only said in reply:
Il am glad you think we'll of me,
Elmer. But pardon me, if you think
me bold or presuming. Why is it that
you, with your advantages and talents,
live the life you do? And why is it that
in your conversation you always speak
of women with bitterness and distrust?
Is there not some woman in this wide
world to make you happy, some one
for whose sake you would give up your
evil ways, turn from the paths of sin
and lead a purer life? Is there no one,
Elmer"
He WAS too deeply absorbed with his
own bitter thoughts to notice with
what eagerness she asked the question.
1t WAS several moments before he spoke
and when he did the words came slow
" and mech anically, as though they
were forced upon him against his will
Nina, years ago / ioved-loyed, did
l say?-I worshiped a woman fair as a
poets dream, and believed her as
truthful, in word and deed, as the
white-robed angels that cluster around
the glittering throne above. Every EN-