Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-10

49, = kOAaAo tSvlS = 81
1t seemed to cheer him up. He o.dn.t
fret so much about it TO me afCsrwaro, +,
but he kept asking me if I Thought 1
could. l always said: yes
INow, mother, if | marry Willy no1a,; ,
NOBODY knows what's going to be to
my keeping my promise to
father. Willy amt got anything laid
up, and he amt very strong. Be-
sides. he's got his sister and mother to
do for. Hattie's justbeginning to help
herself q little, but she can't do much
for her mother yet. Mrs. Lintield amt
able to work. and WHY'S got to look
out for her. Then I've got you. And
there might be more still to do for in
the course Of two or three years: no.
body knows. I'll marry Willy now, [ I
shall never pay of that mortgage that
1 promised poor father 1 would, and 1
ain't going to do it. It'll take Just
three years to pay it every cent; and
then Ill marry him, if he's willing to
wait. If the mortgage was Just for
me, 1 wouldn't care, though / don't
think it would be very wise, anyway.
But its for father"
Mrs, Morse was crying. II know
you're Jest right about the mortgage,
Inez," she sobbed; but you'll lose your
beau as sure as preachin'."
Nevertheless, it seemed for a long
time as if she would not. Willy kept
faithful. He was a good sort Of young
fellow. and very fond Of Inez, though
he hardly entered into her feelings
about the mortgage. There was at
times a perfect agony Of pity in her
heart over her father. 1t made no
difference to her that all his earthly
troubles were over for him now. When
she thought over how he had toiled and
worried and denied himself for the
sake Of owning their little farm clear,
and then had to die without seeing it
accomplished, it seemed as if she could
not bear it. The pitiful spectacle of
her poor dull father working all his life
for such a small aim in such small ways
in am haunted her,
During the next three years she
strained everv nerve. She denied her
self even more than she had formerly.
Sometimes she used to think her clothes
were hardly fit for her to appear in be-
side Willy, he always looked so nice:
But she thought he knew why she
dress d so poorly, and would not mind.
cit brings the time when we can eat
our honey nearer" she said.
Willy vas faithful for a long time;:
but the last six months of the third
year he began to drop off a little.
One in awhile he would miss a Sunday
night. Inez fretted over it a little; but
she did not really think of doubling
him, he had been constant to her SO
long. Besides there was only one more
payment to be made on the mortgage,
and she was so jubilant over that that
she was hopeful about everything else.
Still, it was not with an altogether
light heart that she went to the law
yer's Office n afternoon and made the
last payment; she was not as happy as
she had anticipated. Willy had not
been near her for three weeks now.
She had not seen him even in church.
Still, she went straight to his house
from the lawyers Office; that had been
the old laughing bargain betwee1 them:
She was to go and tell him the good
news: then he was to go home with
her, and help eat the festive supper O.
biscuit and honey.
She walked right in at the side door
and entered the sitting-room. She was
familiar with the place. In the sitting.
room sat WHY'S mother and sister.
They both started when they saw her,
ooh, mother, here she isl" cried Hat
tie, without speaking to Inez.
Inez's heart heart sank, but she tried
sNWhere's Wiliy?" asked she. .He's
home from the shop, amt he? I've
made the last payment on the mort
oaoe, and I've come to tell him."
The mother and daughter made NJ
reply, Gut gazed at each other in sileni
distress.
.Oh, Inez!" cried Hattie at length
as. if she had nothing else to say
"Come into the parlor a minute will
me, Inez." she added, after a little.
Inez followed her trembling.
Hattie shut the door, and threw hel
arms around Inez. ''Oh, Inez." she
cried again, and began weeping; :.
don't know how to tell you. Willy ha'
treated YOU awfully NEAR We've al
talked to him, but it didn't do all,
. pood. Oh, Inez, 1 can't tell you! He,
ooone over to West Dorset this after
noon-to get married! "Oh, Inez!"
.sWho is he going to marry??'
..Her names Tower-Minnie Tower
! ..Oh, Inez, we're SO awful sorry! H
hasn't known her long. We neve
dreamed of such a thing"
..Neyer mind" said lnez, quietly
"Don't take on so, Hattie. Perhap
it's all for the best"
, .Why, don't you care, Inez?'
There was q pitiful calm on lnez'
: dull face. "There's no use frettin
over what can't be helped" said she
81 don't think Willy has acted bad.
j; ade him wait a long time" p
That was the trouble, Inez."
F., 81 couldn't help it. l should do
over again
Inez took it SO calmly that the othe
= Girl frightened. She had felt frigh
ened and distressed e this, but ST
L had not a very deep nature.
}, ..Inez," said she, hesitatlngly, whe
she made a motion to 60, ''they've g
" d room fixed upstairs, you know; wou]
" you like to see it? 1t looks real pre-
ty."
~ Inez shuddered. This fine sts
II served to pierce the deepest, thong
she knew the girl meant all right.
NO, thank you, Hattie, l wor
! stop"