The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1883-12-01

the Wnlte castle race, at 6lgnC nun
dred a year, and a cottage found, If
| you'd only been here on the spot. Pa
used to know the cid agent, and could
have recommended you!"
Jerome smiled.
"White CASTER" said he. That's the
big house on the hill, where we chill
dren used to peep at the roses and
white grapes through the glass sides Of
the great greenhouse. A grand place,
as | remember it."
"And the position of agent is most re-
sponsibIe, and highly considered"
broke in Bessie.
Jerome Clay went away feeling rather
| depressed.
it is not the lot of every man TO be
thrice rejected in n evening.
"They think l am n failure in iife,"
| said he, half smiling, halfsighing. "Well
perhaps they are not wrong. Peoples
ideas differ"
Aurillia Haven, the old farmers
daughter, had been q wild hoyden ofa
SCHOOLGIRL when Jerome Claw went
south. She was a silent pale woman OF
three and thirty now, who did the
"tailoress'' work of the neighborhood,
and had hard work TO get along.
But her dark brown eyes lighted up
! when Mr.. Clay spoke of his far-of home
and her cheek glowed scarlet when MI.
| Sewell chuckled out:
80 the three old maids wouldn't
have nothing to say to you? Ha, ha,
hal"
"Do you blame them2" said Jerome.
"WelI, no." confessed the old man.
"Gals naturally want TO better them
selves nowadays. If you'd come back
with your pockets full of gold, they'd
sing a different song, you'd see."
Aurilla looked pitying.y at Jerome
Clay. She, too, had found life a failure,
and in her quiet way did all that she
could to comfort the tall, quiet man,
who had hired the spare chamber In
| her fathers house for a few weeks, since
his cousins had altogether omitted to
invite hin as their guest at the old
place.
She was not pretty-never had BEEN
but she had q sweet, oval face, with
fringed eyes, and q mild, wistful express
sion, which Jerome Clay liked.
And n day she spoke out what was
in her heart.
"Mr. Clay" she said, II can't help
less children of yours. If you bring
tAlSD1 LULU \ II buhO N0lO "a AhO hAs i "a
ways liked children, and it shall cost
you nothing. Father will let me have
the big north bed room for a nursery,
and their board won't signify. They
can 90 TO the publit school, and I'll
make their clothes, if you'll buy the ma
terial."
"Aurilla, you are a genuine womanP
said Mr.. Clay, earnestly. "Eone of my
ooV,a;na he W. u~nyaEN IN mo EHn thIo
"Perhaps-perhaps they didn't think
Of itp' faltered Aurilla.
POSSIBLY, dryly remarked Mr.. Clay.
But, Aurllla," gently retaining her
hand, sis it of my children only that
you think? Have you no tender, plying
feeling-the sweet sensation that is akin
to love, you know-for me2 Aurilla will
you be my wife?"
And Aurilla did not refuse.
Now that you have promised TO mar
~ me-" said Jerome Clay, 81 will tell
you all my plans, Aurilla. I have
bought q house here
Here, Jerome2"
Yes, here. Will you come with me
to look at it?"
II will go wherever you wish, Je-
rome" said the bTide-elect, in a sort of
innocent pewllderment.
Mr.. Clay put her into q little carriage
at the door, and drove her upthe oun
tain.side. through the huge, stone gate
way of White Castle, to the velvet lawns
in front of the colonnad<I portico,
where statues Of Ceres and Proserpina
stood in dazzling marble on either side,
and an antique sun-dial marked the
golden footsteps of the God of Day.
"Its a beautiful PLACED" said Aurilla,"
he answered quietly, cit is our home
"Yoa mean to tell me, DEAR" cried
fortunate enough to receive the agency
| thought Mr.. Wright"
"Mr. Wright is the agent STILL" said
Clay.
what I mean is that l have bought
White Castle and its ground. This fine
old house is to be your home hencefor-
ward, Aurilla."
"But, Jerome, | thought you were a
poor rhan2"
"Did I ever tell you soa" he laughing
ly retorted. ibid / ever tell anyone SO?
If the good people in Elm Mountain
choose to believe nj q pauper is it fair
TO hold me responsible for
their rash consciousness? No. Aurillal
In money, I am rich-rich beyond my
widest aspirations. But when first |
came to Elm Mountain, j believed
myself bankrupt, indeed. in the sweet
coin of love and human kindness. Sweet.
heart, it is so with me now. 1t was your
hand that unlocked the gate of happi-
ness to me-; it shall be your hand that is
to reap the rich reward"
He bent, and kissed her forehead lem
derby.
"But the children?" she cried
"The children are with their.maternal
aunt, at the Windsor hotel in New
York, he answered. "The boy is sooD
engaged to be married to southern gen
tlemen, and after q brief visit there will
return to New Orleans with their aunt.
SO, my darling, your tender s0licitude
was not required after allp'
Aurilla sighed softly. She had DIR