Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-10-20
admire. Yes, I found il described in

admire. Yes, I found il described in
Edmond About's Maitre Pierre. Listen.
In the Landes a sutton presents himself
before the peasant girl he wishes to
marry. Her parents understand tho
object of his visit without any irksome
discussions about marriage settlements
and a mutual alteration. He does not
criticise the bride-elect, nor seek to
remodel her on the pattern of tho
women of other countries, because no
finds her perfect. l have reason to be-
lieve he eve alludes to Paris toilets
and the manners of London society.
The sutton and his friends are politely
received, and invited to remain to sup
per. The bride-elect has the right to
place . covered dish in the center of the
table. At the close of supper she reveals
the contents 10 all the world. If the
dish contains nuts, and she offers them
to the sutton, she rejects him, and he
departs. What a charming form of
congo, giving the mitten! All explana-
tions are avoided. You are right, Cow
per; some foreign fashions are worthy
of imitation"
Iris uncovered the dish in the middle
of the table. 1t was filled with nuts. A
sudden stiffness pervaded the room.
"Cowper, l offer you some nuts, after
the custom of Les Landes," she said,
and her face grew cold, severe.
Cowper stared in st%upefaction. Iris
heaped his plate with the nuts by a
quick movement.
"My dear girl, I do not wish it," ha
finally expostulated.
stRI1t 7 w;sh ;%1,3 che ro+,r+od :u,~o,:
ously.
"You mean to throw me over, Iris?"
"Now you are a mere commonplace
American. Cowper. I offer you a
dish of nuts in the fashion of Les
Landes."
Cowper redeemed; he understood
even in his bewilderment. Sour parents
desired our marriage" stif1y.
sour parents did not require us to be
unhappy. Marry Lydia Welch, whose
photograph and letter, dated last week..
l found on the floor in your room this
morning."
"She would not have me-" he x
claimed. 'She is a tremendous heiress
and an awful coquette. Travelled with
her party. You are Jealous, that is
all. l much prefer YOU"
"Thank you," said Iris, haughtily.
Mrs. Bemrose sat blinking like an
owl in direst CONSERVATION. John had
escaped by the window. Half an hour
later a white-robed form glided to his
side and a tender face looked up into
| his.
"Was the farce well played? Cowper
was even unfaithful to me; but I forgive
| him BECAUSE
sln Heavens name, what does it all
mean?" cried John, hoarse with passion
and doubt.
"Are you going alone to the infant
city in the wilderness, Johnp" she
whispered, TREMENDOUSLY.
"'Will you go with me?-share my
done to deserve such Joy? Now I know
why. you were named Iris in your era
de-" replied the young man, in vibra-
ting tone, full of tenderness.
Mrs. Bemrose and Cowper appeared
in the open doorway.
"Dear friends, we have decided to de-
sert the old nest, and found a new Cor
donville in the far West" said Iris, plac-
ing her hand within the arm of John
Cleaver, and always with that tinge of
mockery in her voice. 1--WE were made
for pioneers, and not to adorn society,
perhaps"
A flood of EXPLANATIONS, questions,
and tears on the part of Mrs. Bemrose.
A hand-shake, intended to be magnani-
nous. on the part of Cowper Deben-
ham, who felt the breath of that cold
night wind which had chilled the heart
of Iris Gordon on the day of his return
home, and earlier had swept the parents
away. What was the cable wrought by
Thomas Debenham and Henry Gordon
but a rope of sand, after alp Mrs.
Bemrose, shorn lamb, otherwise COM
Portable widow, alone beheld the solace
of the situation as guardian of the old
house in the future.-Harper's Weekly.