Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-02-13

Lena, with her Dyes still curiously fixed
on her sisters face.
Fortunately, 1 was stationed I'm
consciously and conveniently near, and
heard it g~ratuitously."
Then" said Lena. he~sitatingly,
"you didn't really cryP"
"Lena," echoed Georgia. raising tho
dim dark eyes that had still unwonted
shadows in and around them, ''when
l cry l shall come to you to be con-
soled. There, does that prove itP"
Perhaps it did. Anyway, Lena SAID
no more, and Georges merry account
OF her afternoon prevented any further
suspicion of its sadness.
Tomorrow" said Captain Give 10
himself, a few hours afterwards, after
giving his groom directions for his de-
parture the next evening, II shall
know ii l may ever hope to win her by
the love which she has won from me.
My first, last love, to-niorrow | shall
know. But shall it be tomorrow or to.
dayp Would tomorrow be better than
to-day, or would to-day be better than
Tomorrow
This was the doubt that puzzled
Captain Give as he leaned against the
window.frame, his broad shoulders do
ing infinite damage to the crisp white
curtains, as he looked longingly at the
visible corner of No. 10, East street.
No fear he should not know il, though
every house in town might be its twin!
There it was, the evening sunlight
sparkling on its windows. True it
sparkled equally on the windows of
NO. y, but it was a very different kind
OF sunlight in the imagination OF Cap
tain Give.
II wish / could decide which would
be better, or that something would de-
eide it for mo-"
waiter, in riding. gear still, and it
is after seven!" said Harley, coming in
more quietly than was his wont.
''ls 1t felony to be riding at seven d.
M. |" asked Walter without turning.
"Only," answered Harley, joining
him, ''when a fellow is engaged TO
dine at that hour some hundred yards
away"
"Are youP"
Now, Give, what are you dreaming
OFF" inquired Harley, looking rather
anxiousiy into the face opposite him.
You are engaged to dine with the
Marcels at seven. Laura told me so,
and that is why l consented to 90 my
self. would rather we two had spent
this last night of yours together; but
as you chose to go, ! come, too"
II never said l would CO." returned
Walter, with a puzzled frown. Miss
Marcel asked me. but | said no."
"She misunderstood you then, said
Harley, with q twinkle in his merry
ewes. "What is to be donep You
must come now"
IL cannot"
II suppose" said Harley, looking
c~arelessly into the street, ..you have a
friend you wish to see tonight? Well,
| will 60, to save our reputation, and
tell them all about it,"
"All about itp" echoed Walter, look
ing ~bewildered into his companions
face.
EYES," continued Harley, gravely,
THAT you have important business to
transact before you leave-you are
known to be eccentric, so it will be all
right-and a business interview TO hold
this evening"
II have!" cried Walter, with q sud-
den Frightening of his troubled face.
This was exactly what / was wanting
when you came in-something to de-
eide it for me. What a relief! Truly,
man proposes" but suddenly, so
far in the proverb, Walter broke off
with a flush upon his face.
Eyes, man proposes" Harley fin
ished coolly land the rest follows in
its natural sequence-woman is won"
"Give me your hand, Harley. said
Walter, looking very handsome as he
drew up his tall figure, fighting proud
ly against this v shyness which
was SO foreign to him. "Wish me sue
cess, dear old fellow, for you little
know what anything else will be to me.
You are generous as ever, to 60 for us
both tonight"
81 cannot understand him quite"
sauntering slowly to the Parade, while
the Marcels patiently waited dinner.
What an earnestness it gives him!
Why shouldn't he winp Such a hand
fome fellow! Such a thoroughly good.
brave-hearted gentleman! l don't
think" decided Harley. mounting tho
steps with his head too thoughtfully
bent to notice the watching faces st
the window, nor how one of them
clouded to see he was alone. II never
met a man so unconsciously winning.
Well, it is far better, if one must lose
ones heart at all, to lose it to a girl
like these. No anxiety there-cer-
tainty Of winning; and if there we're
not. no grief in the losing. That's my
idea Of the right direction of ones af-
fections. AS it," he philosophically
added, when the girls greeted him,
zones affections were giveu just to
make one miserable"
No one-least of all Harley himself
could deny that everything was done
that evening to amuse the Marcels's
guest; yet. somehow, il happened that
in al the laughter, oil the excitement.
all the enjoyment, his thoughts would
wander anxiously to the friend he was
so soon to lose.
"God bless him with success -
thought Harley. in that longing which
is really prayer, as he stood in the bal.
cony in the twilight. "Yet l never
saw him so little hopeful"
CHAPTER Y.