Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-09-06

quite well aware that my senseless de.
light had transformed me TO a ridiculous
idiot.
Whatever ails you, Minnie ?" inter.
rogated my lady one day. "You are
absolutely laughing at nothing; and for
the last week ! should say that you
have neither sse nor slept, nor sat still
! lam really getting anxious about you
But, Minnie, I should like you to go to
Wrenhurst for mel have a message
for Mr.. st. Victor"
All, how well l remember with wha,
expectancy hurried along the fa,nilia,
way to Wrenhurst! The snowy sweet
hriar bloom in the hedges was still
jeweled with dew; little brook fol
lowed the winding path and danced and
babbled in the amber sunshine. An
empty hammock swayed under q big
green tree in the garden.
Before the curtained glass door of
the library stopped suddenly, and /
could feel the riotous blood plunging
h9tly into my cheeks with every sufio-
eating throb of my foolish heart.
Suppose that my dream was some
mystery of psychology - the occult
power of mind upon mind? Suppose 1
had concentrated the whole power and
strength of my mind and emotions with
such intensity upon this man that had
compelled his soul to mine--would he
not, by the same subtle potency divine,
the truth, and perhaps hate me even
while he could not resist me? Assum-
ing the reality of any psychologist in
fluence, must inevitably and strongly
have impressed him in manner-either
agreeably or unfavorably.
! Hotter and hotter waxed the shamed
scarlet of my cheeks; / had become
weak and shivery; and / meditated an
unceremonious retreat with my errand
undoue.
But then the door was hastily thrown
open by somebody passing out, and 1
saw Mr.. st. Victor standing with a
group OF gentlemen with whom he was
vivaciously conversing.
He seemed not to observe me as / adj
vanced, although he instantly turned
| and came slowly toward me.
well, Miss Clyde!" he enunciated,
coldly-oh, so coldly his lips unsmil-
ing, his eyes averted.
How made known to him the wiches
of my patroness / have never clearly
remembered. But do not forget with
what frigid indifference-with what an
icy exaggeration of unavoidable courte-
sy, he summoned an assistant and then
turned quickly away, going back to his
companions with whom he readily
enough resumed his smiles and jests.
My heart dropped, chill and heavy as
iron, in my bosom. / could only sur
mise that he had affected this unwonted
department to discourage the prefer
ence that,he coniectured had for him.
Surely that silly dream had quite dis
tracted my silly head!
left the library with less grace than
haste, am convinced. / felt decidedly
small, and rapidly crossed the odorous
old garden and entered the pretty home
ward path.
Unfortunately, my nature was prone
to extremes, was either elated or de-
spondent-eit in q rapture of delight
or a madness of melancholy! Just then
nv mood was one of irrational agita-
tion.
On the confines of Wrenhurst was a
shady nook among thick, low trees,
where the moss was like floor of gold
en- velvet, and where the sunbeams
never came Into this green covert i
plunged dizzily, and, finging myself
down on the cool, sweet sward, wept
like punished child. Iloathed myself;
/ was wroth with the whole world; l
hated Mr.. st. Victor, and like child /
sobbed myself to sleep.
must have slept for hours, and 1
was awakened by a sharp sound, groan
of pain and the trampling of hurrying
feet.
| sprang up bewildered. 1t would
seem that my dream was being fulfilled.
was encompassed in darkness, and be-
yond me the path was marked by dim
and ruddy light; but some one rushing
up tho walk carried quaint lantern OF
duly red glass. As in my dream, my
dress was stained with blood, and l was
barely conscious Of great terror and
perplexity, when the arm OF Mr.. 81
Victor sustained me. "You have nothing
10 fear, Minnie" said the tender voice
of nv dream, and AS he spoke he bent
and kissed me- kissed me as man
kisses the one woman he loves when he
would calm her fears by the assurance
If his protecting affection.
As he led me back to the Wrenhurst
mansion, he explained how he and an
other were coming up the path just at
tbe moment when n thievish and desper-
ate straggler was securing my watch
and guard that were handsome and
valuable,