Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-09-19
aAngeNn.~old enough 10 know th..

AngehnalOld enough TO know that
young mems wisdom must be .theoret-
lcal, since it can not be the result of ex-
per1ence; and that, therefore, they ex-
pose themselves to ridicule when they
assume to be wiseacres. Penitently)
forgive me! 1 was rude IN asking,
and am more SO in my reply. / am
only twenty, and deserve all the dis
agreeable adjectives you applied to ex-
uemely young women.
Dale-lf You think SO, you probably
do not deserve them. To know the
truth is generally to be made free.
Angelina Does it never occur to you
that by keeping up this superior moral
lzlhg vein you expose yourself to the
charge of conceit and offend people?
Nothing makes one so many enemies
as to assume that his thoughts run in
higher grooves than theirs; that, being
superior to them, he can amuse himself
by observing their failings.
Dale-1hat is an observation which
encroaches on my domain and deserves
the criticism it contains. You are right,
however, and [ am not only unpopular
but am held conceited. I dare a you
thought so when we met, and think 80
still?
Angelina (coloring)-I must confess
n a L thought so, and think so still;
but with this saving exception: 1 think
you know it, and the conceit which ac-
knowledges itself is half humility.
Dale l see you, also, are a would-be
philosopher. Then you have no right
to reproach me with ~precocity, for com
pared to your tender years l am old
Parr himself. Hark! the band is be-
ginning. They play every night, and
even at sea when the weather permits.
Do you know. [ think music never
sounds SO well anywhere as on the
water? The crash is mellowed and
softened; there are no harsh r~everbera-
tions, while the music seems to peal
out. and die away over the wave
Sometimes when the sun is setting in
m%id-ocean, and our ship goes plungine
along through the glittering water, the
band strikes up, and one can almost
fancy that the sound is caught up and
waited over the broad ocean back to
land. You have never been to sea?
He. has drawn a little closer, and is
leaning against the same capstan.
Angelina (sottly)-No. I am afraid
of the ocean. There is q vastness and
wildness which awes and frightens me.
All the travelling l have ever done has
been between here and my hosze.
Hale-Your home is in San Francisco,
1 think:9 I used to know a family Of
De Lancys who live there now.
Angelina-You know the De Lancysi
Why, so do I. They live near us, ant
| see them very often. Isn't it nice tt
have mutual acquaintance? What {
pretty girl Maud De Lancy is!
Dale (dryly)-Oh, yes.
Angelina-You say that as if it wer'
anything but your opinion. Don't yo,
like her?
Dale-Not extravagantly.
ngelina-(quickly)--Why?
Dale-Frankly, then, she's not m,
style. If she were more like you
should probably like her better.
Angelina (coldly)-Your approba
ton is magnificent. If she were in m,
place you would have said the same.
Dale (calmly)-It is possible.
Angelina. COMMUNICATIONS efront
cry is admirable!
Angelina (not seeing it)-Good-bye
Dale-And my temper imperturbable
Come. why should you grow angr
over my humble little attempt to sa.
in an indirect way that [ like you.
Angelina am duly grateful (chang
ing her tone). No. l believe l am glad
and-I see they are preparing to g
ashore, and | must get ready.
Dale (walking by her side to tn
cahin)--Our ship will be here tw,
weeks. lhope to see you again. befor
l leave: (Holding out his handy
Goodbye.
Dale (mentally)-A miracle! A. gil
who is not altogether frivolous. an
can think!
Angelina Qikewise)-He wouldn'
have said it to Maud.