Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-07-26

choose to carry his heart on his sleeve
for every clerk to peck at. II Mr.. Ster-
ling was fascinated by Helen, it was no
fault Of hers many man had been be-
witched by her before this elderly Con-
gresham, only Theodore forgot that
they had all been needy suitors-and as
for Helen, he felt as sure of her as of the
seedtime and harvest.
On one occasion he left his work early
and hastened to see fer: a cloud of ugly
rumors had assailed him and interfered
with his tasks she should brush all the
ccbwebs out of his heaven. He met her
coming down the staircase in a white
evening dress, with flowers in her hand
costly exotics, such as wealthy lovers
send their sweethearts, such as he had
never dared to buy.
"Where did they come from ?" he de-
manded.
"They grew, I 'spects-like Topsy,"
answered Helen, laughing uneasily.
"Where did you get them, Helen2"
"You are inqaisitive, Mr.. Van Week.
They were sent me-"
"By Mr.. Sterliag?"
"You do credit to your nationality |;
you're q capital Yankee. Yes, by Mr..
Sterling, of course"
"Helen," he cried beneath his breath
-" Helen, are you going to marry Mr..
Sterlingp"
X "I-I believe am" she said, drop
ping her eyes.
Theodore never knew exactly how he
found his way out of the house ne was
vaguely aware of brushing against
stout gentleman in a fur-trimmed ulster
rs he shot into the street; of a stately
carriage and pair standing at the door,
and dark-browed lady leaning out to
look after him.
The next day he resigned his position
in the postoffice, drew his savings from
the bank and left Washington. 1t were
We J, perhaps. II he could put deserts
and seas and mountain ranges between
Helen and himself. 1t seemed to him
as il the earth had reeled from its orbit.
and il required time for him to readiust
himself to the situation. His idea was
all that was left to him he put into it
all his earnings he devoted his heart
and soul to its development, and he
finally forgot himself and Helen Hi-
dreth in his work and its success.
1t was seven or eight years later that
they met, oddly enough, on the Mount
Vernon boat. Her vivacity was no
longer the spontaneous effervescence of
youth and hope she was trihe passee,
perhaps.
wealth and splendor have not proved
all her fancy painted them, he thought,
as their eyes met. "Mr. Van Week, I"
she cried, "who would have dreamed Of
meeting you here?'' Was the pleasure
which frightened her eyes and deepened
her somewhat exaggerated dimples q
reminiscence of her power, or was Mrs.
Sterling a married flirt, he wondered.
eve have heard Of you SO often, to be
sure," she purred. "The newspapers
have not been silent concerning you and
your great invention. I've always felt
an ownership in that invention, do you
know2 I felt as if 1 were behind the
scenes, let into the secret before the rest
Of the outside world, when il was only
dream. I've resented every infringe
ment-"
"I am fattered that you remember
nv small affairs" said Theodore, hum
bly,.
Remember" she repeated, with .
lingering accent, 81 have nothing else
to do"
"I come down mere Sometimes" she
pursued, after brief pause, "when we
have holiday, for the sake Of auld lang
syne and try to believe I am seven years
younger and the world before me where
to choose. 1 like to come when the
peach trees are in bloom, as they were
that day when we built our castles in
the air. Mine have crumbled into
dust"
"Mrs. Sterling, I am sorry to hear
you speak So"
She stared at him an instant, blushed
and dropped her eyes in the old effect
i've way. Haven't you heard?' she
raid i" I didn't marry Mr.. Sterling"
Perhaps she expected Theodore to
beam with sudden happiness AID re-
besrse the old story she had refused to
hear once before.
"Yop left no address, you know" de-
tending herself from the reproaches she
anticipated. Mr.. Sterling died before
the wedding-day was set thought