Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-03-14

| ror ut the charming vision It reflected,
at the face men called beautiful. at the
exquisite figure whose every curve was
define ted by the Partisan toilet donned
tonight in all its first freshness, it was
small wonder that. at the improbability
! of the latter. an incredulOus smile touch
ed the red lips.
1t still rested there when Mr.. Des.
mond relieved her Of his charge, and
drew her arm within his own.
I've have not had much practice 10
| gcther, Miss Cole" he said, as he led
! her to the further end of the room; "but
/ l rather think no one will bs wiser save
ourselves.
ii should imagine you danced well" )"
she replied. inditlerently; land | can
! essiy give YOU the figures Mr. Railings
and had decided upon; or should be
happy to receive instruction in any new
ones Ut your hands,"
''fou have not asked No why have
not been to see you" he said, D little
later. as they kept time to = charming
waltz.
her little hand rested on his sleeve; his
eyes for a moment met hers, but their
laughter had gone, and in its stead was
q born tenderness.
She strove to answer lightly, but the
words refused to come.
Il dared not come" he whispered.
A little later she could have laughed
at the singular influence the simple ut
terance had possessed over her. Was
not this man acting part, and did she
not know it? 1t WAS she who must hold
sway, not he; but even as she thus de-
cided she felt that she was toying with
fame which might scorch all who APP
preached it, and yet burn on calmly and
undimmed.
Il have a message for you from
Frank" she said when he bade her good
night "Will you come tomorrow to
hear it?"
He bowed assent. She had put his
coming in such form that refusal was
impossible. The next day he was in
her presence. 1t was but forerunner
of the many days to follow. But they
no longer spoke or limited Of danger to
either. They talked Of themselves, the
past, the present. On the future they
rarely touched. and then with but the
passing lghtness of birds wing.
Three weeks had passed and Mr.. Des-
mond spoke Of leaving them. On the
evening of the day fixed for his depart.
ure he came to bid Sydney good-by.
"You have made me break the first
promise I've ever broken, Miss Cole"
he said to her. Il had promised Frank
to be the best man at his wedding; but
,elegraphed Yesterday to have pass
age taken for me in the steamer which
sails for Europe fortnight from to.
day"
''You are going to Europe?" she said.
''For how long?'
Until have conquered myself" he
answered. lie sprang to his feet and
said. lightly, "Good-by. Miss SYDNEY. -
God bless you and dear old Frank in
your new life"
She, too, stood up and strove to
make reply. Tears were not common
visitors to the deep blue eyes; but now,
now that she would fain drive them back
they came yelling MP from some secret
fountain, falling 50 thick and fast she
could not wipe them away as they fell.
nor check the sobs which racked the
slender 5Tame.
Ineiinctively he opened his arms and
drHw her to his heart. She felt il mad
riy beat, as in hoarse tones. but in very
fond, enlearing accents. he murmured
her name. Suddenly she wrenched her
self away. The tears were checked. She
stood pale aud trembling before him,
bur with the liked light Of resolve in her
besutiful eyes.
n heard that no woman had ever
touched your heart" she said. IL de-
termined to try--you see the result. For
you is scored another victory-for me
defeat. l wish my humiliation to be
complete therefore | make unnecessary
confession. Now good-by; but do not
add the blessing; | do not deserve that
--ah. no!''
You tried to touch my hearth" he
answered. "For once, Sydney, let me
speak the truth. The first hour saw
you it passed forever into your keeping.
Honor, Loyalty to my absent friend. have
led me to play my poor part At Disguise;
but you have wrung my pitifully kept
secret. Sydney, it is our fault TINT we
have thus learned loves lesson? Nv
darling, my love, what is all the werid
If it debars us from each other?'
lit is not of the world We have to
think" she said. ut is of Frank
Shall he be made the sacrifice upon our
altar? No. no. Jack! Lee. us be true to
him, and SO true to ourselves. We will
utter no sOphistries,. The way is clear.
Life will never be quite dark. dear. now
l know that yoa, too, have loved and
lost. But Frank shall not be the one 10
suffer from a girls wanton experiment.
This j swear"
On the girls pale face as she spoke
was something Of the expression which
the ancient martyrs might have worn.
go" she added. II am not very
strong. Leave me my faith in myself,
and in that in you that wooed and won
me Should you stay. You would not be
the man to whom l gave my heart, but
another, base aud ignoble. from whom
would withdraw it. Hush! do not speak
a single word! Leave me my dream"'
she entreated.
A shudder shook his fame; he stoop-
ed from his great height and let his lips
q moment touch her uplifted brow.
The next minute she was alone alone
henceforth. through the long, weary
time to come-alone even ns. three
months later, on the eve preceding hel
wedding. she sat by her lovers side and
listened while he told her of the morrow
and the bright future Of which it was to
be the threshold.
''Too bad Jack disappointed me-" he
added. presently. 'Do you know, fan
cied YOU and he did not quite hit it to-
gether? You wrote me something about
an interesting experiment, but you for
got 10 tell me the result"
''lt is not worth the telling" she an
swered with q little laugh, which sound
ed strangely to the mans keen ear, As
though it held in it the ring Of uushed
tears. ''Or-perhaps was worsted in
the fray. Will you promise to heal my
broken heart. Frank, dear?'
He thought she jested. as he bent and
hushed tho red lips TO silence with his
Ii tSs,t oh l,o a. 81. sa.A