Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-01-18
services 60 you, yea also have been Of

services Go you, yea also have been Of
great assistance to me-"
"1es," he replied Immediately, and
subsidized into another pause before he
spoke again; and now the first trace of
embarrassment which he had shown an.
peared in his manner.
~ have a favor to ask of you," he
said, (which l am sure, under the cir
cumstances, you will not mfsinterpret
or refuse to grant"
cit is that you will allow ME to pass
my hand over your face. I think L can
thus form some idea of your features,
and perhaps verify tho ideal I have
formed of YOU"
Tears sprang to the little woman's
eyes at this touching request. She trans
ferred herself to a low stool at his feet
and let HIM lay his hand upon her head.
She felt the cool, soft fingers touch her
brow, her eyelashes wet with sympa-
thetic tears, her cheeks hot with an I'M
accountable flush, the soft curve of her
mouth and chin.
"Thank you," lie said, at the close of
this investigation. He leaned back in
his chair and, taking a silken handker-
chief from his pocket, wiped the finger
that had brushed away one of her tears.
Mrs. Rosamond fancied she discerned
the ghost of a smile playing about his
lips. She felt suddenly Inundated in her
own eye1, with the thought that she had
gone tao far. She o S rather abruptly
and said, with dignity:
"Wen, L suppose I may wish you a
pleasant journey, and a safe return?"
pardon me a moment" he said, ris-
ing, too. He CROPPED in the drawer of
the table and took something out.
cit is q custom among businessmen"
he said, smiling, "to give a retainer
or fee to u lawyer whose services thev
engage. 1t is q mere form, intended to
bind the bargain, as they say, so to
make out compact a lasting one I ven
ture to ofler you this" AS he spoke he
put into her hands a little pocket-book
of Russia leather.
Mrs. Rosamond was stunned for a
moment. When she recovered herself
she said:
II need no retainer Mr.. Church, to
make me remember q promise, and I
shall never be poor enough to accept
such a gift as you offer me-"
She held out the pocket-book and as
he did not take it, it fell to the floor.
He stopped swiftly and suddenly as a
hawk and picked it up. A suspicion
darted into her mind. SHOW did YOU
know where it wasp she demanded.
sharply.
II heard it tall" he replied, flushing
ly. "You saW it fall,' she cried;~ and
carried away by the impulse of the mo-
mcnt she snatched the bandage from
his eyes. He put up his hand to screen
them, but in vain. They We're no sight
less orbs which tried to return the angry
flashing glance with which she con
fronted him.
"You have deceived me-" she cried.
"lou have played upon my sympathies;
you have induced me to allow you to
take a liberty which l should never have
suffered if | had not pitied you. You
have insulted me with an offer of money
Twill mever forgiveyou." She stamped
her foot upon the floor andleft the room
in a Whirlwind Of passion.
Mr.. Church was an invalid, and en-.
fcebled by long illness, but the fear tina,
he had offended Mrs. Rosamond and
lost her forever gave him strength anC
speed. He overlook herupon the stair
and, reaching the front doortirst, locked
it and put the key in his pocket. He
was so exhausted by this feat that he
had not breath enough left to beg hel
pardon. He was, indeed, so completely
overcome that she experienced some
faint STRINGS of pity, and, ~relenting,
brought him in q stately manner a glass
of wine from the sideboard, whereby be-
ing somewhat refreshed he announced
that he could not allow her to leave the
house except on condition of full and
free forgiveness, and, being unwilling
to become a permanent resident upon
these hostile terms, Mrs. Rosamond
submitted to q parley, whereof the re-
suit was made known to the world
some weeks later by the following no.
tice among the personals of " leading
newspaper:
"Sailed for Europe the Goth ula in the
steamship Parthia, Mr.. Frederick Church and
bride. both of this city"
Chicago Tribune.