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

pretty girl. scarce numbering twen-
tv summers, in a dainty room, sur
rounded by all her owu dainty belong.
ings, is the scene on which our curtain
rises.
The small. jewelled fingers hold a
card on which are pencillcd these words.
introducing my friend. Jack Des-
mond.n Below is the writer's own
name --FraAk Mnton-this in the en-
graver's best form; but the latter name
is written elsewhere as well, on no less
spot than Sydney Coles heart, for she
is Frank Minton's betrothed wife.
How often she had heard him speak
of his friend who now awaited her COM
ing in her fathers drawing-roOm.
"A royal fellow among men, but ut
terly imgregnabe among women-court-
ing danger always; always escaping
himself"
This SO often had been the burden Of
her lovers strain. and now she was
ready to see and Judge for herself.
What wonder that her heart beat a
little faster, or that, snatching up a
fragrant bunch of red roses from her
toilet. she fastened them at her waist.
making the only spot of color on the
white cashmere gown, and giving the
one finishing touch needed to make her
look as though she had stepped out Of
picture frame?
Evidently some such thought as this
crossed the mans mind, who started 10
his feet as the radiant vision met his
view.
Yes. he is dangerous" was Svdney's
inward comment, MS she glanced up in
to the handsome. bearded face. and rec
ognz d the power which might lie in
those laughing brown eyes, should
their laughter turn to earnest tender
ness.
Dangcre Yes; but not to her. Wrap.
ped in Franks love, surely she was in.
vincib!e. Suppose-suppose she tried
the experiment of making him feel?
Had the thought really given itself
definite shape? She hardly recognized
it; vet with her hard clasped one mo-
ment in strong. warm grasp, her ear
catching n few nlurmured words of
courteous pleasure at the meeting. she
felt as does the war-horse shifting the
scent of battle from afar and eager fer
the fray.
Nv Nou Nu'Ws itCl NISi'oI SVit 10
he rose to take his leave. at the end Of
an hour, AS marked ty the clock
scarce half that time SydLey would have
said had she been asked-.'do you know
no Longer wonder at Mnton's anxiety
70 turn Bene'iict9 VIII you pardon me
when l I'D that a little curiosity
prompte my desire to see you to-day,
and ~ learn how strong must be the
termination to forego bachelorhood?
r" 1--WE must tempt you to followFrank's
example," she answered with a bl:sh.
Had he not set it, should have
been more tempted" was the reply.
Five minutes later she was alone
Mr.. Desmond was to be guest in the
city fortnight; during that time she
should see him often. Already she an
ticipated it with pleasure. That night
she wrote her betrOthed:.
81 have seen your friend: he presented your
card to-day. wonder did you paint me to
him In the glowing cOlors you have so often
painted his portrait TO me- and II he, as ],
laughing ~ your enthusiasm. found the reality
brighter than the picturer fear not. fear
,nme n me be must have been disappointed: hut in
him am not only not so, but no longer won
der at your strange love for him. But one
thing 1. wanting; his heart is sleeping. Al!
] tempted "rS to make n him single me ouas % ieei Feel
tempted to rouse the sleeping lion from his
lair. Shall try. Frankl 1t would be all inter-
esing experiment"
Three days later she wrote again:
"You were quite right. dear in your delinea-
| tion Of your friends character Do you know
/ fancied that l hal made upon him a slightly
favuiable impres -ion, sufficient for him 10 re-
turn and have II deepened-at least, sufficient
psting experiment Of which las, wrote your
But evidently his latent di-trus, of the ser .ias
auakened have not seen i'm since hie hrst
ed twenty minutes IL length. All my hopes
| of causing you TO suffer from the pangs Of the
grcen-cyed monster have ts'd. lie refused to
They were light words, lightly writ
ten, but none the less, Sydney felt
deep disappointment that she would not
| acknowledge to herself even rs she
wrote them. 1t left no outward trace.
however. as few minutes later she
stood before her mirror dressed for Mrs.
| Crosby's german, which she was en-
gagged to lead with Guy Railings, the
best dancer in all her set.
She need not fear tonight that she
| would not hear sweet nothings whisper
| ed in her ear. Guy Railings had been
one of her adorers since he had doffed
his roundabouts, and never showed him
self openly disconsolate that hero
from another city should have borne of
the coveted prize. But even this balm
to her wounded vanity was not to be
forthcoming tonight.
Before leaving the house note was
brought her, in which Mr.. Railing's
greatest regrets. for sudden sprain to
his ankle. arose from the fact that he
must be deprived Of pleasure which
| he had SO long been eagerly anticipat-
ing in feeling himself, for one night at
least, the envy of all the men in the
room, ETC., to the end Of the chapter.
But. entering Mrs Crosby's dressing
room her vexation vanished as her host
ess, rapturously greeting her. having
followed her hurriedly up the stairs,
| met her with the announcement that.
having heard of Mr.. Railings's accident
she had supplied substitute-one she
was quite sure would do equally well.
and would possess the charm Of novelty
Ia friend Of her husband. MIR. Jack
| Desmond.
Then she retreated to her guests, leav-
ing Sydney to follow, not noticing. the
anick, crimson stain on the lovely cheek
which had fiaunted itself at her words.
II might have spared him." thought
/ the girl. snow. to do 90. only one
thing will be wanting. and that u nv