The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-08-09


him to see, and for . moment she did moi
speak. Them she slipped her small fingers
from the clasp where they still rested, and
looked up. .s..,x.. n. So
Eyes, understand, . she said. very low and
very quietly, THANK you-good night" aud
him alone ia the outer darkness. -
Where's Verriker gomez" was Capt Here
fords morning greeting as Decima appeared at
breakfast II want to settle that trip to the
wish to heaven young people would have some
consideration. But Decirna prudently re-
Trained from all remark At dinner her faith
sr's Indignation was still higher. y ,..s>a'1
"What on earth that young fellows up to nc
one can think !" he growled over his thin soup.
take a guide-only his alpenstock; and naile
ooots, anu TWO DAYS provisions. must % mau-
ness in his family Bah! beastly stuff this;
lake it awav!"
At supper be was cynical ''This comes of
picking up travelling companions! The young
fellow looked a gentleman, but no doubt he's
one of the swell mob-just see if my dressing
case is intact, will you, Decie?-or flying from
his creditors. At all events, one gentleman
does not treat another in this way. Pray, did
be honor you with his plans Decle ?nys, 81
~"No, papa. " said poor Decie, but she could
oSy ~ u1O4O O14X quo huSib r1VuE UUlc
before her window that night, looking up at
the moonlight.
All the next day it was the same; more irri-
tation from her father; more apprehension in
her own heart and sort of sickening feeling
Of unspoken terror People at the hotel began
to wonder, too; to speculate what tho rash young
American could have meant to do-when he
would return; to talk of the folly Of venturing
to climb without guide; to shake their heads.
The hot day had cooled of into another
brilliant night, and again Decima knelt at her
low window in the white moonlight, trying to
soothe fever ISL headache, aud to pray; when
below-some one whom oven that light showed
10 be weary and worn and travel-stained;
an eager voice whispered her name; and,
borne high on the point of tall alpenstock.
something was laid gently down upon the win
dow-ledge at her side No neod to see what it
giving, and while burst of welcome, con-
gratulat'ons and questions burst from the
hotel party below, the pale moonlight shone
upon girls face press ed upon the small hard
pillow Of a narrow bed, and starry white
flower. believed with happy tears: 3.
smoking his cigar upon the deserted shalcony,
Ralph Verriker@ came to him, crumpling IN
envelope in his hand, and looking disturbed
and agitated
''May speak to you on a matter of great i'm
portance?" he asked II have just found
ing me home at once Some one is dangerously
Tilt does not say who, but ! fear it must
be my mother. must start at day
light tomorrow; too much times has been
lost already by the telegram following
me about so. But before I go must
say word to you, sir: don't suppose you
will be much surprised that have learned to
1--we f1anchtar-nn cNn|6 holm if I
should think; and hope-I dare to hope-slc
likes me just little! May write to- herr l
ought to tell you am not rich man ); u have
almost nothing OF my own, for though my
uncle makes me fair allowance, have a
cousin who ia his heiress, and he will leave me
nothing. But am young-I am strong-I can
work will get something to do at once, if
only you will give your consent"
A student Of Lavatdr might have reaped
years Of education from study of Capt Here
ford's face during this address. Surprise, be-
wilderment, CONSERVATION, chased each other
to strange expression, which it was. unfortu-
nately, too dark for Yerriker to observe, or he
might have been . wiser man. To tell the
truth, Decimas father was too self-engrossed
to have noticed Ralph's devotion; and
perhaps even had this sutton been the man of
means his appearance and surroundings had
led Capt Hereford to believe him, it would
have been a sore struggle to consider his
daughters happiness before his own; but as
was, this candid avowal Of poverty, for many
reasons, took away his breath, ana decided the
question on the instant His only thought was
how most plausibly to give an absolute check
to such presumptuous hopes
.i"My Gear. Verriker!' He cleared his throat,
then went on more firmly: "rm very sorry
very. confess never guessed at this
till very recently, but it's out of the question
quite. Not alone the nationality and limited
7 trt1n& f,,.,,
prejudices as any man-but the fact is, my
dear fellow, my daughter is-ah-bum-
already engaged"
sEngaged?" uttered Verriker, in voice of
Mortified incredibly.
Eyes, yes" rejoincd the reprobate, growing
but settled-old friend, you bDow, and ali that
Pom my word I'm sorry, Ve'riker;' and there
was enough shame left in tho old man to make
him blush in the darkness
'But Miss Hereford" stammered poor, be-
Vildered Ralph; IT had Thought had dared
20 hope" and he stopped short.
sYes, yes, I think she feared so. saw it in
1er manner. She's Young. YOU know and
er-hearted; perhaps she seemed too kind.
There, there, Verriker, don't take 1t to heart;;"
md for moment even this villain was touched
with remorse.
md tremble, and steal into the breakfast-room
With downcast eyes and noiseless step, next
Only Ralph's vacant chair stared
lcr in the face, and her father was deep in
yeek-old Times
"Oh, by the way" said he, with an off-hand
air. avoiding her eye, 'sVerriker's gone in
earnest this time He came home late last
hight and found telegram, so he's off for
America early this morning Bore, isn't it?
Didn't even leave you message; but no doubt
re meant me to say everything civil. Can you
start for the Corner Graf to-day? Why, child,
what makes you wear that ugly scrap of edel-
weiss in your brooch ? It is a.beastly plant and
bears as much resemblance to a flower as
;ea-anemone does to an animalp'
All, well 1t is woman's part in me to watch
md wait with pleasant, smiling face and break
ng heart Why should Decima have had
happier Tot than millions of sisters? This
'ort OF trouble does not kill; it only whitens
he hair. and duIls the eyes, and ploughs ugly
ines in smooth young face, and steals away
WY should Decira complain! She had what
What most women hsve-a relic or
wo, torn glove, a shriveled
crap of flower, memory q
Life was not over for her yet. alas! There was
title dreaming, poor child, OF the cruel wrong
Re had done her; and as the months dragged
way, newer, more urgent cares and troubles
'egan to push the old pain into the back |
'round-till there came a day when cooper |
tive company broke, and with it went all the |
{, and they were penniless; abe young
nd strong. and eager to work, if only she |
ould find work to do; and he a weak old man,
trlcken into sa1ldlshness by the blow that took
way his all "the would gladly work. if work
we're only to be found; but every place seemed
liter despair, she called on an old friend,
ace manufacturer, and asked if she might not |
ry some of the lace work Buckingham women |
10 in their OVID housekeeping. mending or
rawing threads from the machine made lace.
Old Mr.. Stacey's gold eyeglasses needed fire. |
Luent polishing, and his handkerchief came
nto constant use, as she talked; but he was too !
hooked at her story to answer anything but |
hat she ought to have better work than that to |
To-; and she was turning rather sadly to 20
Vhen he called her back. .
by the way, Decie,' he said, ''perhaps you |
ould help me. You have been in Switzerland |
70 you know a Swiss flower called the edel-
7eiss?"
Did she know it? Her heart leaped up, but
he assented very quietly.
because Pm at my Wits end An American |
uyer has just come over, and wants to order |
arge amount Of lace with the pattern Of an
delweiss. shall lose the order if can't OK
he design don't know. I've sent right and
eft and can't find even picture of the thing;
~ designers don't even know it by name. You
ont happen to have sketch or specimen of
), do your" 49,
ooh. yes. I have-1 have tlower' |
;ould you-would you mind lending it to me
or few days?"
"Oh, but i believe I could do better than
hat-1 think, with little, help, could de-.
ign you pattern. picked up a little de-
igninE at the School Of Art years ago. and