Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-05-29

l h.>1. ~ So WV.
oack: 1--WE will never tell any one
aDout your being. lost in the swamp.
remember, it is to be a secret between
'oh, MOI" she replied, fastening
into the house. away up to her ROOM
where she carefully removed her soiled
clothing. After bathing herself she
carried her clothes to a place where
she could take them out to cleanse them
TO avoid detection; then she crept into
pea, n did not awaken from her slum-
per until late the rext day.
FRANK, after his encounter with Ethel,
o slowly home, thinking over the
strange occurrence. Never. he thought.
had ne seen before such a beautiful, in
gen1ous face, we'll calculated to make
a lasting impression; so pure, faultless
n refined. The singular incidents of
that night never afterward. in all his
Wanderlngs abroad, were forgotten by
Frank went to Europe, where he re-
manned four years, perfecting himself
IN a course of studies and seeing much
OF LIE and the beauties of the old O
But amidst it all he never forgot the
pretty little brown-eyed maiden of
Meadow Grove, who was destined to be
his BRIDE.
Ihe sun shone brightly in the room
n next morning after Ethel's adven-
ture IN the swamp, when she awoke.
With the exception of a slight stiffness
Iof the limbs, she was not the worse for
her journey. But now she was effect
ually cured of all romantic visions.
IAe scales had been rudcly removed
from her eyes. She vowed she never
would be deluded again, and never
aiterward gave way to any romantic
IDEAS. except one. connected with the
handsoms knight who had beenher de-
%liverer.
She Went to school at Philadelphia,
remaining -FOUR years, returning after
her course d studies avery elegant and
accomplished lady. She had tried in
vain % ASCERTAIN the nam and adj
dress of her hsndsome rescuer, but not
being acquainted with the lady with
whom he boarded during his stay that
season in the p~eighborhood. besides,
there We're coming ;sld going so many
people in the country around, it was
hard to keep notwithstanding them.
When Ethel returned to remain at
Meadow Grove she,at first mingled in
the society around, and more than one
aspiring country youth had solicited
her hand in vain. Culture had placed
her beyond herformet companions. as
in those days education was rotsocom-
mon as now, in that rural d strict. She
found the societyuncongenial and grad
ually dropped 1t, mourning in return
their envy and dislike.
After his return from abroad, Frank
Chester had settled down in the city
of P, in business with his father.
During the heated summer months he
determined to rust.cate once more at
Mrs. Scott's farm, and to meet Ethel
if possible. Soon after his arrival in
the country, he resolved one pleasant
afternoon to visit Meadow Grove, al
leging as an excuse that he wished
to get MI. Moore's ideas about farm
ing and the value of land in the
neighborhood, as he desired to make
some purchases there. He was deter
mined not to make himself known tc
Ethel. and was very anxious to see il
she remembered him.
1t was the calm of q summer SAB
bath. The lawn in front of Mr.
Moore's house blossomed like a rose
Frank was impressed with it's beauty
as he entered and passed up the
broad walk VIII CHI led to the piazza,
on which were seated Mr.. and Mrs.
Moore and their treasure. How beau
tlful she looked in her snowy robes,
which hoated around her lovely form
like a fleecy cloud. Franks heart
throbbed as she raised her large,
tender-looking, dark eyes toward him.
The face which he thought SO beau
t,ful in the moonlight on that event
full night, was, if possible, lovelier
now than before. The well-shaped
head was covered with glossy chest
nut curls, through which were twined
a garland Of pink rose buds, a cluster
of the same was fastened at her snowy
throat. Ethel dropped her eyes in
confusion at the eager gaze of admira-
ton OF the handsome stranger, who,
recovering his self-possession. made
some polite excuses to Mr.. Moore for
his visit and was formally introduced
to Ethel.
His visits after this became frequent
at Meadow Grove. Ethel was delight
ed with the intelligent and gentleman
ly SLrIlbSi. 1ueFo was SOulcCnlnp IN
his face which caused her to regard
him with surprise, for she was conf
dent she had met him before, yet could
not tell where nor remember when.
His standing and good name being in
vestigated by Mr.. Moore, and being
satisfied, he was now a welcome guest
at the farm. He and Ethel walked.
drove, read and were so constantly to-
gether that the society Of each became
Indispensable to the other.
He carefully concealed the mystery
about the will o. the Wisp," deter
mining that she should refer to it be-
fore he disclosed his knowledge.
In such constant companionship
with one so handsome and attractive
as Frank, the natural result followed
Ethel soon found herself hopelessIy in
love with him. This knowledge caused
her great anxiety, for in her mind she
had resolved to marry no n until the
knight who had rescued her from death
in the swamp should come back, as he
had promised to do. and claim her.
Now, false-hearted one, she had given
her heart to another.
One lovely midsummer night Frank