Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-08-22
W TWO STOOLS.
CHAPTER I,

CHAPTER I.
81 have something to tell you,
Mary"
Mary Ranley let her work fall into
her lap, and looked up at the speaker.
She was a tall, slim, dark-haired wom-
an of seven or eight and twenty, with
a plain, patient tace, and wistful eyes.
She wore a dress of u quiet gray tint,
and the oon in which she was seated
was furnished with all good taste that
nowadays is consistent with strict
economy. She had not a single claim,
in feature or coloring, to any of the &C
kpowledged forms of prettiness, and
yet something about her would have
compelled a second glance from those
who Lad obtained a first,
Well, Tom, what is it?' Her face
softcned as her glance fell on rom Dan
vcrs. handsome, blue-eyed, %fair-haired
Tom, whom people spoke OF only to
praise They had been playfellows,
these two, who were alike only in years.
They were lovers now, and they would
be husband and wife day; at least
that hope had beautified existence for
IOUll VI tuClA ouLlAS SCtCA yCdLS.
Seven years! 1t is a big slice out of the
best part of the allotted three-score and
ten. though it was only lately that one
of this faithful pair had begun to think
SO. The other had W thought it
yet. .'Wha is it you have to tell me?"
Tom crossed the room, and bent
over her to stroke her HAIR. The move
ment was a caress, and then it enabled
i'm to avoid hereyes.
81 have been offered an appointment
lat Rangoon.'
eat kangoon." She echoed the
words without any information Of sur
prise. ''Ihat is"
"In Burmah. AS if you did not
know that and everything else, my lit
tie scholar; and kangoon is a big place
with openings for lots Of fellows.
Stephens has written, saying he needs
a partner and so | think, if you don't
mind that l shall go out there in a
month or two"
Mary Ranley did not answer. In the
pause that ensued she heard the pur-
ring of the cat on the hearth, and
smeilcd the faint odor of the m;gnon-
cite growing in the window-Eox. She
knew quite we'll that the linnets outside
were piping to the roses, and that Tom
Danvers was waiting for her answer;
but she also knew that her pulses were
growing fainter and fainter, and that
the weight OF a long-dreaded blow had
fallen.
Are you not getting on here?" she
asked after a pause. II thought you
told me that your work was increasing;
thrI,rht 1-N,, ox.,o,to1 fhot vUn YliOht
marry in the spring"
ut was all a mistake. due to mycon-
founded h]opefulness. l got a new case
or two when Smithson was away for
his holidays, but he holds the patients,
and will 60 on holding them. he fact
is, Mary, there is not scope here for
two medical men, and l knew that,
though l settled IN the place when you
wished it. But I have not made a hum
drcd pounds in the past twelve months,
and you know that means failure
But | make a good deal by my teach
inc. and l thought that, working to-
gether. we might get on
That is quite out of the question:"
nc sad, fretfully. turning away from
the pleading, patent eyes. 81 am not
going to have my wife drudging all day
long that we may not starve. I'll sup
port.her myself, or do without her."
The pale hands lying on the piece OF
needlework pressed each other u little,
then the sweet voice spoke softly and
firmly
a have heen thinking often lately,
Tom, that you would be wiser to do
Without me. You see we have known
each other so cong that we have really
grown TO be more friends than lovers,
and | am far older than you in reality,
thou not perhaps in years. and SO l
can not help believing at shines that our
engagement hes been a mistake"
"Nh, you do, Go YOU" wrathfully.
you see it has lasted seven years
now, and in years, you Know,
your science teaches that we change
completely, and so l think, Tom, dear,
That it would lie far better if you planned
Your future without letting any thought
OF me hamper you. I am safe enough,
you know; the high school pays me a
comfortable salary, and 1 have grown
accustomed to the routine OF life with
Mrs. Gillet, and SO, dear, | can offer
quite honestly to set you free" Sac
was smiling ut him bravely, n her
eyes We're very clear and bright, but
She had an idea that her heart was
weeping.
on are tired Of mo, l suppose!
Aoa imagine that I am likely to be