Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-12-10


best 10 strike up nm acquaintance. had
| to do my best, for | found Mr.. Russell
very shy and reserved. Still. thought l
could draw him out, and more than that,
thought | should rather like 10 draw him
out. For, Notwithstanding his shyness,
there was something pleasant and more
than ordinarily interesting about the man.
or course ! cared nothing for him as a
man for one thing, he WAS twelve or fifteen
years Older than I-only as a musician.
it would be so nice 10 have him come up to
the house sometimes and while away Il
long evening with his singing.
Well, that night was the beginning of
our acquaintance. 1T first found it very
difficult TO induce MIR. Russell to come to
The house, but soon he did not require TO
be asked. and his visits became quite
frequent. Once [ went for a boatride with
him.
lie understoodth the piano thoroughly. and
his singing was perfection. Although not
by any means q brilliant conversationalist,
he was well-road and thoughtful. and,
when he did say anything, somehow one
always remembered it.
His father had charge OF the little square
or twice when Tom lit the lamps for his
father we Went up into the lighthouse
together. And, as time went by, found
that L did not miss Billy very much.
One evening. Tom Che would not let me
call him Mister RUSSELL had spent the
evening at the house, as he often did. lie
was not just his usual self, for he did not
sing at all. Ec played over a few selections
from Chopin and some of Nendelsohns
songs" / had always preferred that he
should sing and play what he pleased, so
never selected anything tor him. Up 10
that time he had never once sung love
song" But on this evening, when it was
getting near his usual time for leaving. he
sang to some sweet music of his own COM
posing, Iennyscn's Song OF Love and
Death" Then he closed the piano.
As usual | invited him to come again.
"Nes," he said; 81 will come again, bnt on
one condition. Esther, ] am a man
though but a worllineman-with all of Il
mans feelings and aspirations. / have
spent every other evening with YOU. now
for over Il month. The result is what l
nigh. have expected, had / stopped to
consider whittier | was drifting
!. who have aere,' loved woman before,
regret, OF TO wish ] had never seen YOU.
The mischief. if it is mischief, is done. |
love YOU"
He had taken icy hands in his own and
was looking right at and through me with
his honest gray eyes. All, if lie were not
so poor-if his work did not make him so
bcgrimad and mcouth--ilnd then there
was Billy. whom | had forgotten a 9oot!
deal of late No! II could not be. it WAS
Impossible.
"Mr. Russell (how / rccollectcd the
Mister now, you are very good, but ]
never thought of this. i like yon SO much,
but not that way chow stupidly was talk
ingN. and then there is-there is-Billy-
Nv herrington, mean"
Then good-bye.n he said. 81 think l
have done YOU no harm; if anyone is hurt
it is myself. with only myself to thank for
the damage. We will be good friends, if
You will permit, but ] cannot come and see
you--at least, not just yet You have been
Very kind to me- and shall never forget
you, Miss Braitbwaite."
And that night, for the first time in nv
life, ] cried myself TO sleep. / was sorry
for Tom Russell; | think was Just little
bit sorry for Esther Braithwaite, too. No.
! didn't imagine that | loved Tom Russell.
but am sure, quite sure, that | did not
love Billy Harrington.
Billy came up to White River few DAYS
afterward, and did not care for his society
one bit.
One evening, shortly afterward, while
Billy was out rowing and trying some fancy
movements with his boat, he upset and,
being poor swimmer, was in great danger
of being drowned. Tom Russell, grimy
as usual, happened to pass while going
home from work, and, seeing the accident,
at once swan out 10 Billy's rescue He
reached him Just in time and succeeded in
keeping his head above water until more
help came i'll boat.
| watched the whole affair from the
beach, and, if must tell the truth, l was a
great deal more anxious for Tom than for
Billy. But of course | was going to marry
Billy had as much as told Tom Russell
that-and SO l felt that l ought to thank
the man who saved his life. Tho next day
was Sunday, and after church / waited, on
purpose, for Tom, when / thanked him in
clumsy manner for his bravery.
THAT little thing was easily DONE" he
replied. "All l had to think of was that
he was the one man who will make YOU
happy. Hope you will both be happy"
he added.
Still he seemed to have left something.
unsaid. He hcsitated, and tried to help
aim.
"H." | said, "there is anything we can
ever do for you, please let me know
"1ou can do something for me now, and
do it alone" he answered. "You have a
blue ribbon around your neck. When T
first saw you you wore the same blue rib
bon and white dress. That is how al
ways see you in my mind-that is how I
shall mostly think of you in the future.
Will you give ME that ribbon?"
The ribbon held locket given me by
my father. christening the ribbon, I
gave it to Tom Russell, with the locket.
81 should thank you, but ! cannot.
Good-bye." he said. And rs he spoke
Billy sauntered up. Billy was angry.
"What do you lnean." he exclaimed. 'bv
gossiping with that fellow? And making
HIM presents, too! | shouldn't wonder if
you 90 down on the pier next, and firt
with the sailors!"
"Why, Billy, are you crazy? That is Mr..
Russell, who saved your life. The least
could do was to thank him."
81 offered the fellow money!" said Billy.
IF he doesn't want it. let him 90 without
1t isn't necessary for you to thank him.
Give these fellows an inch and they will
take an ell, every time. You will oblige
me by not speaking TO Mister Russell