The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-02-05

expenses, but she was very handsome
and fascinating. She had what people
called "a way with men" that vas
| irresistible. She fostered the idea that
7 was to be Sinclair's wife. One day
she and | were driving together about
| the estates, and she turned to me and
smiled and said:
How strange it is, ma petite, that
you and two penniless creatures that
we we're a few years ago, will one day
possess both these splendid estates
for our very own. 1t is like a fairy
story. All, say want they will-the
moralists and preachers-a handsome
face and a little tact are the most
| priceless gifts a woman can possess.
| am so thankful, dear, that you are
handsome
was seventeen when she said that,
and | went home and looked at my
self carefully in the mirror. Yes | was
handsome; my eyes were large II
black, my complexion rich and clear,
my features perfectly regular.
| turned away smiling and satisfied.
Sinclair came home soon afterward
to remain; at least he had finished
his college course, graduating with
hOnOrs.
He was very handsome, and my
heart throbbed with pride and Joy as
l looked upon him.
Surely every goodgift in his life was
mine.
Sinclair remained at home a year.
We we're Of course thrown constantly
together, and he was the same frank
comrade as of old, yet he spoke no
word Of love. grew FESTIVE and i'm
patient for matters to he settled. |
was at the age when every girl longs
for a lover. | wanted to be lOVed-l
wanted to be betrothed. | had
thought it all out many times, how
after the hethrOthal my mother would
give q large ball, and how resplendent
| would shine in beautiful jewels and
rich robes. For always inmy thoughts
OF love worldly considerations were
mingled.
should never have loved Sinclair
Monroe if he had been poor and OF
low birth. My pride was Unborn, and
constant cultivation rendered it one
of the strongest elements of my ma
ture.
After a year spent at home, Sinclair
went abroad. He went without
speaking his love, orasking any prom
Use of me.
Twas bitterly disappointed, and so
was my mother.
But let him SOW his wild OATS" she
said; che will come home all the more
inclined to settle down"
He was gone two years. During
those years | went much into society
and became quite a belle, and received
one offer of marriage. / declined it
proudly. The man was IN no way the
equal OF Sinclair; and beside l felt my
self to belong to Sinclair. | as much
intimated this to my sutton, when he
would have persisted In mis- atten-
tions.
When Sinclair returned he seemed
older and more serious in manner, ana
he went at work at once to lay out
the grounds Oh his estate and beautify
them. My heart swelled full of hope.
Were my early dreams to berealized?
Then suddenly my mother died.
Plunged into deep mourning, / did
not think it strange that no words of
lov5 should pass his lips during the
next half year. At the end of that
time he again absented himselffor sew
eral months.
When he returned, he called me aside
one day, saying he had something to
tell me.
Perhaps / ought not to say it with.
in a year after yourgreat loss, (" he be-
gan, "and yet ] believe what Ihave to
say viii result in greater happiness to
US all. / have long had it in my mind"
i felt my heart trembling in my
breast Ike a frightened bird. AAtiast,
at last Was he about to say the
words / had waited SO long to hear?
Then he continued: 81 am going
TO be married next month, Agnes.
/ met my bride while / was travelling
abroad. She san American. She was
also travelling abroad. She is alovely
girl, and she will brighten up the house
for us all. / thought of bullding before
/ married, but father wants me TO re.
main here at least for q year or two
And / would liketo haven bride plan
her own nome when / do build. Ihopt
you will love her, Agnes. / am sure
you cannot help it,"
How | ever managed to control my
awful modification, my surprise anG
my anger, / do not know. 1t was al
so sudden, SO unexpected, like a blow
in the dark. / brought all my prid'
to bear upon my emotions, and Icon
graduated him with seeming warmth
but / felt as if a new being took pos
session of my body fromthat hour.
had always been a selfish girl, inclined
to be mercenary and exacting. Nov
within my breast awoke a demon o
jealousy and spite that made my lii
wretched. 1t seemed to me that Ina,
opened the door to q flock of eyi
spirits In my heart when love and hop
flew out.
LEI MI