Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-11-10

low so evidently at home in this garden
by Jacks chosen successor. And then
the two men glare at one another, after
the fashion common to Englishmen
when they meet for the first time, and
are uncertain whether to be on friendly
terms or fly at each others Threats.
"Sir Reginald Vane-Captain-no, it
is Colonel now, surelyp 1 thought 10
Colonel Grahame." And while a stiff
bow is exchanged, she proceeds to pour
out the tea.
Vane renews his attentions to Queenie,
u she, from some perverse instinct of
coquetry, bestows all her favors upon
the Colonel, whose grave aspect would
hardly prove attractive to children in
general. Yet it melts into a kindly
smile as, lifting the little one on his
knee, he g%lances from her face to that
OF the mother, older only by some
eighteen years, and recalls the days
When Nina Forester had sat as contid-
1ngly on the knee of the shy young r
net.
"You will let me scull you up the
river, Mrs. Fairfax?" says Vane, as he
puts down his teacup. IL have not for
gotten (here his voice takes a more
tender infection) .'our last expedition
to Hampton Court"
Mrs. Fairfax looks doubtfully toward
her other guest, who somewhat stifay
observes: "Don't let me be anv him
drance to your plans. Or perhaps YOU
will allow me to take an oar In vo,,r
service?m :
Vane's face darkens, but the widow
claps her hands and answers, gayly:
"Capital! 1t would really have been
hard work for one alone in this heat"
So Queenie runs to fetch her mothers
hat, but at the last moment finds the
charms of a favorite Kittens society
irresistible, and elects to remain on
terra frma herself.
Vane pulls stroke, and the boat
glides smoothly away from the emerald
bank and out into the CLASSY expanse
Of water, amid scores Of others gayly
laden with similar freight, and looking
as il. playing their part in some holiday
scene.
"This has been very hard on me-"
Vane, bending forward, so
that his words are audible to the fair
steerer only: ':My pleasant afternoon
all spoiled, because'-
"Because you are afoolish, self-willed
boy,'' answers the little woman, who,
albeit some four years his junior, some
likes to play at maternal airs.
:" Come, shake off your tit of the blues!
be agreeable, and stay and dine with
u.s."
"With usP are you going" Every low
''to invite that fellow, too?"
"Certainly 1 am. He is one of nv
very Oldest friends'-C.old enough!"
grumbles Vane)-"and have not seen
him for years. We have heaps of
things to say to one another"
"Then you will certainly get through
them better uninterrupted" says Sir
Reginald, in a spiteful soto voice.
Then aloud: II am awfully sorry, Mrs.
Fairfax, but l have just remembered
that | have to dine out tonight. L am
afraid l must ask you to land me at
Surbiton, so that 1 can get home by
train. Steer more to the right, please;
you are running us into that barge"
"What, are you growing nervous?'
and again that sweet, clear laugh rings
out, and Vane grinds his teeth as he
feels, rather than sees, that a grim
smile is overspreading the face behind
him.
When Surbiton is reached at length,
he scarcely attempts to disguise his re-
lief, as he springs ashore.
"Good-by! Many thanks, Mrs Fair
fax. l may come owe again soon?"
IF you like-only it is best to give
me notice beforehand, as I might be in
London for the day. But, yes''-soft-
ening as his face falls ''come when
you like. Any day this week"
The Colonel's heavy mustache has
sustained sundry pulls during this col
and his face is a shade graver
than usual as he steps into the vacant
seat and possesses himself of both oars.
AS with a few vigorous strokes the boat
is once more in motion, the widows eye
for the. first time lights upon the MAIN
ed left hand, and she exclaims, in dis
may:
"When-how-did that happen?"
'In South Africa-long ago. Don't
be afraid. My sculling may be some
what clumsy, but L will promise to get
you safely home in due course of time"
"Oh! L was thinking of myself. But
does it hurt you? I am so sorry 1 did
not know before Sir Reginald left us!
Or stay-could [ help you, l wonderP"
''With those tiny baby hands of yours?
No, no, l am getting OF perfectly well;
but give that steam-launch more space,
OF we shall get a tossing after she has
passed."
A silence followed, during which both
are busy with their own reflections.
When Mrs. Fairfax lifts her eyes to her
companions face it is so grave that she
exclaims in wonder:
II was going to say: "A penny for
your thoughts but from the expression
Of your countenance yours must be
weighty enough to be worth much more.
Won't you be generous and impart them
gratis?"
A long pause, during which she leans
over the side of the boat and idly dab
bles one hand in the water.
"Take care" he says, warningly;
''you will lose your rings"
81 have none on that hand, ex-
cept"-
She takes the little white fingers out
of the water and gazes half-sadly on
the thick gold band-Jack's wedding