Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-08-04

ehtered his ears without effort. She sat
opposite to him rs they drove home
ward, and he was aware of something
harmonious and soothing about her
movements, her touch, her presence.
Mrs. Urquhart was confined to her
couch for some weary weeks, and Sir
Joseph called every day to inquire and
condole, and discuss the weather, and
talk to Miss Lacy, who was in constant
attendance upon her suffering patiens.
You have made a conquest" said
that lively little lady. "What do you
say, my dear? I'm afraid he'd last a
little under fostering care. Be sure
and have q handsome settlement"
linen Miss Lacy told her secret-tne
secret which was fretting her inwardly.
81 shall do BETTER" said she, eff 1 can
marry Derwent Percival."
She poured out the foolish woman's
story, with all the glamour and exag-
geratlon Of a woman's fancy; and Mrs.
Urquhart listened and keenly sympa-
| thizeu Is her friend revealed the
troubles, passions, hopes and doubts
that were POISONING; her life.
CHE loves me,"said Miss Lacy. HIt
is the odious gossips of Penny Royal
that keeps us apart. His sensitive shy
ness is unequaled. Oh, 1 know him!
I have studied him." She shed q tear
or two.
"You are certain you are not de-
ceivedP" said Mrs. Urquhart, with
Deceived! Quite impossible! He
made me an offer one day which 1
should have accepted, but Just at the
critical moment Septimus came in
provoking Ncreature!-and we have
never had another opportunity. He
has misinterpreted something. I
should awe been happy woman, and
should have made him happy. The last
time I! saw him his wistful look went
to my heart. The atmosphere at Penny
Royal is full of hooking laughter.
That MI. Scattherd has TESTED away my
happiness l am convinced. All! if
Perciva were only here in this graceful
paradise everything would be settled
directly.
"Shall I ask him to Gomez" said
Mrs. Urquhart.
"Oh! no, no; do not think Of it." But
Mrs. Urquhart did think of it. She
unused and pondered, and at last she
boldly plunged into the rescue of two
perishing parted lovers, and resolved
on a gallant effort to save all. She sat
down and wrote to Mr.. Percival, she
flattered herself, skillfully.
IL know you are an angler" scrib-
bled she. "What do yon say to a week
at Sanneton? The Mayfy is out and
the river in splendid condition. Perhaps
it may be an inducement to you if I say
our mutual friend, Miss Lacy, is here,
invaluable to me. 1 have heard from
her at last, dear Mr.. Percival, all the
troubles and difficulties of your court
ship-of the proposal you made,
which she was never able to answer.
Need 1 say what sincere pleasure it
would give me if 1 could aid in anv way
to bring about the explanation you mu-
tually desire. She does not know 1 am
writing to you. Do not betray me, but
give me the intense pleasure of knowing
l have been instrumental in making
two people happy"
She posted her letter and waited. In
two days she received her answer:
DEAR MRS. U%RouHART: I am exceedingly
v~itation to Sanction. My holiday is arranged
elsewhere. Your letter has sorely perplexed
me; I can only be explicit. Miss Lacy is, I
lucination; I certainly never have enter
tanned for her any sentiments beyond a sincere
respect and cordial liking. l have never in
marriage, and it is, perhaps, better to say at
once that my affections have been long en-
gagged in another quarter. Leaving you to
with sincerest gratitude to yourself. for your
most friendly though mistaken attempt to
promote my happiness, believe me, very
faithfully yours, PERC1vAL.
Mrs. Urquhart sat perfectly still. She
she had ever been in her life. That she
should have been duped, and that Miss
Lacy should have been capable of such
folly, awakened the bitterest sentiments.
Shame, vexation and perplexity took
hold of her and shook her like a storm.
Had Miss Lacy been deceived? or was
she a deceiver? There were women
who fancied every man was in love with
them, but Miss Lacy was no fool. ''She
is coquetting o with that old man,"
she said to herself, and lost self-com-
mand in a paroxysm Of wounded pride
and Indignation. The little woman
was in a towering passion. 1t was un-
der the influence Of this vehement re-
coil that her next interview with Miss
Lacy took place. Its result bore testi-
mony Of the ruinous nature of a breach
between bosom friends. Shocked and
Inundated by the final overthrow of her
castle in the air, and embittered by the
bitterness of her friend, Miss Lacy yet
emerged from the ruins with some
measure of dignity. She made an eff
fort to appease and recapture her friend,
but Mrs. Urquhart's wrath burned too
fiercely, and her epithets stung. At
the insufferable word Degradation"
Miss Lacy stood up, restored to her nor
NAL attitude of easy nonchalance. 81
make allowance for your excitement .
she said, ''butyouwill soon ecover Only
your vanity is wounded, Mrs. Urqu-
hart. My deeper hurt is naturally of
secondary moment. will leave you to
get cool. We have Numbered all
around" she added, with supreme i'm
pertinence.
"We have blundred!' cried Mrs.
Urquhart, with flashing eyes. 1t was
the last word ever exchanged between
these women, who never forgave each