Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-08-08
The next day brought my suspense

The next day brought my suspense
10 an end. 1t was Wednosday-our
half-holiday. The girls had gone out
with their mother, and l was free for a
hours. l took my book out into
the garden, but l could not read. The
click of the gate startled me. l leaned
forward to see who it was, and hehefd
Mr.. Clitheroe. Oh, how my heart beat,
and how | trembled as he approached!
GLOW do you do, Miss Morlcy?" he
said. II am glad to be able to speak
say and to explain"
| stole a glance at his face. He
looked flushed and agitated. He sat
down, and there was a minute of
8 lence, which grew almost ln,upporta-
BILE to me. Why did he not SPEAK or
take my hand?: Oh, could have sunk
at his feet and hidden nv blushing
lace,
Miss Morley" he, continued, 81 re-
ceived a letter from you yesterday"
YES, yes" | said hurricdly. at
was a stupid letter, l know; but you
surprised me so. never dared believe
you could love me,n | stammered, and
hid my glowing face in my hands.
'When did you get the letter you an
swered?'" ne asked, gently.
THE day before yesterday" l an
swered; and in my nervousness l drew
it from my pocket.
He put out his hand and took it. He
read it through, and then he took my
hand.
"Miss Morley" he said, gravaly and
Kindly, "bel;eve me, you can not know
now highly | respect and esteem you,
and how difficult l find it to tel you
that l never wrote that letter at a!l.o
.'Never wrote it," I echoed, stupe-
fed.
"No," replied he; 'there is some mis-
take here, some cruel jest. / never
penned it; it is not my writing, though
a close imitation. Had l meant so to
address you, | trust l should have
trea,ed SO high and holy a theme in a
more dlgnitied manner. l could not
write to you like that, Miss Morley"
II thought, l felt" l mutterrd. "8ut
you never wrote it? You did not, you
10 not
Aud then the real nature of my
mise!ub'e situation dashed upon me.
IL was all a mistake; he did not love
me.
II do not love you, Miss Morley, as
that letter says" he continued. SFor-
g We me: but I feel it best and wisest to
ne frank with YOU. I have never yet
dreamt OF marriage. l haveno present
mean. ami have been too busy with
my profession to think as yet Of any
love. | bitterly deplore that some--I
fear wilful mistake has exposed you
to this unpleasalness."
| listened as in a dream, my head was
buried in my hands, and my heart was
faint. Oh, tile shame, tho humiliation,
the misery Of having let him so openly
see my love, which nov came back to
me re, ected! 1 longed to fly, to escape
my intolerable position. He had tried
to take my hand, but had waved him
off.
go away, go away" was all l could
saw.
l heard his step die away; and then
my tears came. For a long time l sat
on thus, crushed and stunned by this
cruel blow. At last l rose to 20 in.
The bl:ssful hours of freedom were
drawing to q close, and instinct taught
me to hide my wound from others. ]
was startled to behold Mr.. Clitheroe
still in the garden, apparently examin-
ing some plants. He heard me move,
and hurried up to me before I could
escape.
IL can not let you go like this, Miss
Morley" he said. ''Will you forgive
me for being the innocent cause of this
cruel annoyance??'
"Oh, yes muttered. "i'ut I am
so ashamed my letter.
"Miss Morley" he said, 81 respect
you more than ever. Younlctter and
your words shall be forgotten by
me; they shall be as though they
had not been. Trust me, / have
forgotten already all that you would
have me forget. | must hope to merit
your good opinion of me by my discre-
ton; and l shall only try to find out
who could have so insulted you. Have
you any suspicion?"
"No.'' I replied; 81 have not thought
about it. Please don't try to find out.
Please let it alone. and let me 20 in
now.n
Heraised his hat, andsa vi "Good-by."
[ was alone,-more alone than ever.
Ny bright castles were shattered; and
the letter that had been q knocking
phantom to me = he had never written it.
HIS STORY.
l have been in at the death OF many a
fox. shot many an innocent bird and
beast as a young man, and have said
many cruel words in my time, but
never felt such a barbarian before that
day. And yet it was not my fault.
was obliged to do it. Truth and honor
demanded it.
Poor little Marion Morley I had
often noticed her sad face, and longed
to be of use to her, and had ever TT ed
to make her think | would befriend he,
if she needed it. l had often preached
at her the hard lesson, in whatsoever
state she was, Herewith to be content
but l had never dreamed OF love, ] had
never tried to win her affection. AS
told her, marriage lay very far in the
dim future with me-. AS far, in fact, a:
the living that i hoped would ultimately
fall to my lot. 1t crossed my
widest fancy that she would have taken