The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-08-31
TOO SURE OF HIM.

1t was IN exquisite little piece of b.
jOatertc. of small size and most perfect
oval form, with just that rare dainty
tint of pink that one so seldom sees and
always admircS in coral.
Across il. on one side, were narrow
bands of yellow gold; on the reverse
side. an acknowledgements monogram
of beautiful design--..W. W."--of tiny
diamonds.
Harry Arlington looked tenderly at
the lockct rs il lay on his palm, his
grand earnest face wearing an express
sion of unwon,ed passion rs he exam
ined the initial letters of the girl who
was dearest of all the far women on
earth To hlm-tle fair gentle girl whose
lovely face and winning WAYS had
touched his heart SD accurately, and
gave him to feel the strength of his own
manhood, that he had surely come TO
believe, in thirty-iive wears of cold in.
difference To woman, : charms, was new
Or To respond To loves demands.
Winnie! Winnier'
Tie repeated the sweet name caress-
ingly, eagerly, and then replaced the
gift he intended for her in its blue silk
en- nest.
If | were not such cowardr' he
thought. rs he walked down the shady,
quiet avenue. rs he waited with digni-
fled patience in the cool parlor of the
mansion where this girl lived.
Above stairs he heard the occasional
fall OF light feet; then Il rustling of soft
feathery drapery; then heraldry of
wood violets, and then his heart rave
great bounds rs Winnie came into his
presence-a royalty magnificent girl,
who carried her nineteen years of maid
enhood rs = duchess wears her straw
berry leaves-a girl with clear. pale
white complexion, whose ivory pure
ness was only relieved by warm scarlet
lips. curved in conscious hauteur that
belied the tender sweetness of her inner
nature, with dark shiny hair coiffed i'm
soft low Greciau knot ut the base of
her classic head, with eyes like dusky
stars. and heavy arching brows of soft
est ebon.
Arlington arose reverently
"Miss WARREN!
She gave him her hand in unstudied
welcome.
"fhis is good of you, Mr.. Arlington.
l was wondering whether you would 90
away without a word"
''DO you think that would have been
possible? Or, Miss Winnie, am to be
judged even by your doubts. Us capable
OF doing what you might do under the
same circumstances"
She smiled.
She was radiant when she parted her
proud lips, and allowed the pearly
teeth to display themselves, and one
deep dimple nestled in the pale fairness
of her cheek.
Il certainly hope should not have
denied Your congo, especially rs your
absence will be SO prolonged"
I'VE shall miss YOU sadly, Mr.. Ar
lingtOn. do wonder who in the world
l shall dance the redowa with? Our
steps were so perfectly matched"
A thrill of pain seized him.
Could she really be regretful of his
departure when she entertained such
ideas?
His face grew graver, and the hopes
that for moment had grown SO raptur-
iOusly in his heart died again.
''Believe me, think regret my sep
aration from-from my friends more
than | can express"
From you. Miss Winnie. particularly
so much that think that | shall lay
claim to continuance of our friend
ship by begging you to accept a little
token of remembrance"
II me had only dared say what was al
most crying out for utterance!
If he only dared to pour out ut her
gracious feet all the love that was surg
ing SO madlv through his veins.
But her quiet, unrespOnsive face, her
faint surprised smile, froZe the confess
sion awaiting birth on his lips.
His hand trembled ever so slightly as
he handed her the locket, half hiding
its tender pinkness among the blue
cushions. Her artist eyes caught the
perfect contrast of tints. and she
reached her hand almost eagerly for it.
This for me? M. how exquisite,
how perfect! Surely, Mr.. Arlington,
this is too costly for me towearr'
Ii she had only given him one glance,
# her clear voice had only quivered a
note! But no; there was no chance for
him to assure her that all the world
were too mean to lay ut her feet.
You will wear it for my sake?"
He ventured SO far. frowning down
any passion that would have leapcd in
10 his voice, half alarmed lest she should
refuse the gift on account of those very
words.
Il thank you very much. | will wear
4 r. 81
.on. Will you fasten it to my watch
chain, please?"
Only that for answer nothing more.
His dearest hopes crushed by Winnie's
quiet conventional tones, her quiet con-
Ventional words.
He bowed his handsome head as he
the charm to her chain, think
ng, the while, how foolish, how pre-
he had been to think this
girl was for him, to dare suppose for n
moment she could love such Il one as
then swearing to his own heart
70 crush its sweet secret out before it
had time to grow stronger.
And Winnie, struggling with all her
strength to regulate the hurried beating
Of her unruly heart, rs she looked shy
" ut Harry ArlingtOn's handsome head.
with its glory of close-cut. half-curling
nair of shadowy brown. at his large,
white hands. asked her in
mad anguish if he never would love
her, never take her in the arms she fair
" hungered to feel clasped around her.
And thus, rs he gave the locket the
final attachment, she hastily winked
away the hot tears that had rebelliously |
In her eyes. lest he should see
through her mask of pride and stateli-
ness the hopeless passion that burned
beneath.
at is beautiful! THANK you. Must
you go?"
For he had gone towards the door,
feeling how useless further tarrying
was.
II must 60. Goodbye in its fullest |
sense, Miss Winnie, until return"
He bowed, gave her his hand, and
was gone for twelve long, long months.
And Winnie, with the rebellious tears |
rushing into open mutiny now, kissed |
he unconscious bond that united them,
Is she would have kissed him who gave it. |
He wished me goodbye in its fullest |
,ense,-my darling! And it means a