The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-10-30
MY FRIEND FELIX.

rcd beams on the world that day, but
they did not penetrate to where my
'rieLd and | lay prone among the
grasses, smOkingour cigars and reNleW-
ING the glad days Of our college life.
This beloved friend alone had come
to me from that glad past, but only
when five years had taught both OF us
that the world pours but oloes into
open hands; we must wrest from her
clasp whatsoever manhood holds
worthy.
Hooked at him as he lay full length
in the tall grasses, shadows lying soft
ly on his handsome Saxon face; and
the love I had felt for this man, who
was no kin TO me, rose full IN my
heart, fond and true as the love OF
brother for brother.
"Wingar." said he, suddenly, cold
fellow, you don't know how much
good it does me. after my tramp over
half the world, and my many strug-
gles. to rest here in your green cOun-
try with YOU; trust me, my boy, you
have chosen the better part IN set
Ting down on your broad acres and
Ieadingthis calm existence. 1ouWant
but a sweet woman beside you, at the
head of your table, to make this life OF
yours q very Lotus dream"
Such thoughts had come to me be
fore, and there was one face i'll the
world, fair enough in my sight to
make all the world about it fair for
me.
"When I bring that woman to my
hOme-having found her-yOu will be
my best man, will you not, FellX?' |
asked; and for an answer he held out
his hand.
Il believe we made hat compact
years ago." | went on; "and now tell
me of yourself. | have a sister, you
know, so the head of my table is not
empty; but there is no wOman's face
in your old home, my friend. Have
you not chosen who will presently
become mistress there?"
He turned ~restlessly and blew forth
a cloud of vapOr before replying.
II have been too busy to look close
ly at fair faces, and my heart is my
own yet, Wingar," hesaid. Perhaps
| have come here to lose it. Who
knOws?"
Who knew, indeed? I smiled again,
putting my cigar with enjoyment and
thinking of Leonore, my sweet-faced
sister, who was so true and tender a
woman. They were the two dearest
to me save one other, in allthe world;
and-who knew?
He told me all concerning those five
years during which we had not met,
and | opened my heart to him-all,
save one sacred chamber, where Vala
Lee was shrined. Oh, how bitterly
have since regretted that / said no
word OF my hopes thenl One little
word-one tiny hint, and my cherished
friend had surely not coveted what
he knew was the treasure of my life,
But the red sun sank languidly to-
ward the West, the shadows slanted
and, rising, we walked back to my
home, and in the sunset warmth We
found my sister and her friend, my
brown-eyed Vala, wandering among
Leonore's flowers; and /, unconscious
that by so doing Istruck to death my
last and dearest hope, led my frienc
forward and presented him.
/ saw his eyes light gloriously al
she gave him her hand; | saw her owl
droop, but fancied, oh, blind foolthat
| was! they dropped because they haC
seen my love, not his admiration.
1t was only a week later, when Will
a wild cry of desolation and los
IL my heart, i listened to my friend
hopes and fears, and the confession o
his love for Vala-Vala, whom ] hac
thought would one day be my own
He opened his heart to me when
great love came TO it. Oh, had | bu
opened mine to him that day, whel
he had not yet seen her, and my dom
so might have left me-Vala.
/ Stunned and cold, / stood silen
there while he told me how, at frs
sightAof her lovely face, his Who'll
heart went out to her.
II spoke in jest that day, when
told you | might have come here t
lose my heart" he said, "but / hav
just lost it here, and / am no boy.
know this love will be a blessing or
curse to my whole future. My dea
old friend, I want your good wishes
bid me God speed in my wooing."
/ tried TO say it, tried to say nor
Ito cry out that by winning Vala |
would wreck and shatter my existence
but | could not speak; only when |
put out his hand to me in the oil
friendly way, and | met his franl
honest eyes, / felt somehow as thong
Vala lost to me / could not lose m
friend and / wrung his firm fingers
silence.
Perhaps I yet hoped that the q
whose girlhood | had hesitated
startle by a word of love might not
won from me by him; now / know
might as soon expect q daisy to tui
itg white facp from the c,u az pypn,