Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-09-19

the young gentlemen "a
hood, who were her willing subjects,
she yet remained heart whole and
fancy free, and seemed to find her
greatest pleasure in the romantic
scenes around her, the ~tireless gallop
of her saddle horse aud the %coquettish
dancing of her little boat. Hour after
hour would she spend upon the beauti-
full river, sometimes idly floating
through a land of dreams, at others
trimming her tresses with beautiful
flowers or watching the fitting forms
of strange wild birds, whose joyous
warbling hardly rivaled her own.
1.-The negroes fairly worshiped her,
and not Que but what would have died
to save her from harm. To all pro-
posals of marriage she turned a deaf
ear, but SO kindly was she in refusal
that no one could take offense. At the
time of which l speak she was about
nineteen years old, in the full glory of
a noble w%omanhood. But at length
she met her fate. Lieutenant Rodman
King, of the United States army, came
down there to spend the summer with
some of his friends. He was Il splen-
did-looking young fellow. knew him
we'll; about six feet in height. sincwy
and we'll proportional, with jet black
eyes and hair, a long dropping nous
tache, courtly and polished frpln travel
in other countries, he was we'll calcu-
lated to inspire a woman's love. He
soon became Miss Nelrs constant com
panion. A pretty rider. a lover of
song and poetry and flowers, their
tastes seemed all in common. and but
one result could follow. The whole
heart of the yohng girl went out to
him, and %henceforth he became master
of her Utmost thoughts. Young, hand
fascinated her rs the snake charms the
bird. and his credentials being of the
highest order both parents smiled upon
his suit. The young mel of the neigh
borhood accepted the situation with
true Southern chivalry and gave aim
an open field. This reverence and
loyalty to Miss Nell forbade them to
throw any obstacles in ths way OF her
happiness. So the couple enjoyed a
perfect elysium OF joy. 1t was a fools
paradise. however, and soon there was
to be a rude awakening. Under his
pleasant and magnetic exterior the
young officer had a nature callous and
cruel as that of the arch fiend himself.
The brief, bright, happy summer was
soon ove and he proposed to take bis
departure to his distant post of duty.
The lovers parted with many vows and
many protestations of love and affec-
ton, pure and holy on her part but
false as hell on his.
latter his departure. light and hap
ply of heart as any bird that sang in the
groves neal by. she went about her
daily pastimes. There was a bright
color in her fair young checks and the
happy light of trusting love shone in
her ewes. Life had a newer meaning
for her now, and with an eager trust
she waited for the loving ! tiers he had
promised 50 faithfully to write. They
never came. Day after day she wait
ed, hopeful and patient. until her very
soul grew sick wit fear. Day after day
the color faded from her face and the
sweet true eyes grew dim. Her stcI
about the house grew listless, the mu'
sic of her voice was still. at length,
setting aside all thoughts of maidenly
modesty, she wrote to her recrean
lover. In reply she received as crue
and S~dastardly u letter as The pen o.
man ever indited. 1t stated that the
writer was very sorry she had mistaken
his intentions; that he considered tht
whole thing q mere Irritation; he hae
enjoyed her society very much, esPec
iaily the kisses and caresses she hat
bestowed upon him; he was to MARI!
q wealthy and accomplished young la
DIV of New York during the comlnt
winter, and hoped she would ind