Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-07-22

| waiting upon MIN as before, ana III
sisting that | should join him in the
meal. They both seemed quoted
by my presence, and in a
short time Ivy slipped away and left
us alone.
] The first time for two whole long
months that we had been quite alone
1 together. He held out his hand to me,
and there was more than love; there
was what seemed to me a kind OF q
yearning pity in his eyes as he fixed
them on me.
Iwent over to him and knelt by his
side, laying my head upon his should
er, and feeling that this was worth
waiting for through all these long,
weary weeks.
After a minute or two / pulled his
arm q little tighter around me and put
my face nearer to his for the caress
that was so long in coming. His lips
touched my forehead, sending a thrill
through my whole frame, but neither
of us spoke.
/ felt that no words were needed to
enhance the intense pleasure of the
moment.
/ But presently Arthur broke the sill
Ience, and these were his words: What
lovely creature your sister is, Mel
lie"
ayes, Arthur, she is very lovely" /
answered. "Who would ever take us
4 for sisters?"
And then came the sound OF Ivy's
voice, singing as she came in order to
let us know she was coming. / rose
from my knees and sat down in an
armchair, while Ivy entered and then
seated herself beside Arthur on the
sofa.
Conversation commenced again, and
brightly and merrily the evening glided
by. talked but little; it was pleas
ure enough to me to see them both be-
fore my eyes-the two loved best in
the world-to listen to the rich deep
voice of the one and the sweet, silvery
voice of the other.
Was / not Jealous do you
ask? True love knows not what
jealousy means. 1t trusts blindly and
implicitly in it's object, doubling
neither actions nor motives, annoyed
by no petty anxieties, worried by no
needless wonderings. In the strong
fortress of simple, loving faith it dwells
of doubling its own identity as the
idol it has made for itself.
care you staying in London for any
length of timer asked Ivy, presently.
"Till the end OF this week." Arthur
answered. Mary call again before
return to Lilbourne? he added, tur-
ming to me as he spoke.
And then | remembered that the
| pleasure of seeing Arthur had tempo
| 4 10 Mic
Lester, the elder sister of my pupil,
had told me that the Sunday school
at which she taught gave its annual
treat next day, in the grounds of
Lambeth palace, and that Mrs. Les
ter hoped Would not mind taking the
children there instead of working with
them at home.
She had also given me two tickets,
in case any of my friends would want
TO use them. These tickets now pro-
duced, handing them to Ivy and Ar
thur, who received them like couple
of children looking forward to days
holiday.
"0h, how sweet of her, Nelliei /
shall 60 at once and ask aunt # she
will excuse school for tomorrow.
And away she went with the priced
tickets in her hand.
When Arthur left that evening he
promised to call for us at / o'clock
next day-or rather to call for Ivy, as
was to start with the Testers.
1t was nearly 8 O'Clock before / saw
them in the field on the day of the
treat. / had looked round for them
once or twice, but had plenty to do
looking after my own little charges,
and in helping Miss Lester to amuse
the scholars.
Even at the tea table found myself
at the opposite side of the room to
where Arthur and Ivy sat together,
but fancied that Arthur looked pale
and worried.
"He thinks me unkind for keeping
away from him." / thought.
And knowing the kindness of Mrs.
Lester, whom had already informed
of my engagement, | asked if / might
leave the children with their sisters
for little while, as had not been
with my friends all day.
Certainly, Miss Weston; please JON
them at once. To tell the truth, ]
thought that gentleman was your sis
ter's lover; he seemed so fond of her.
Please do not trouble about your pu-
pills any more tonight. l will take
charge of them myself until nurse
comes to fetch them home"
So joined Arthur and Ivy, but my
lovers face grew no brighter as did
so. He was more silent than had
ever known him, and even Ivy seemed
sad tonight. But / came to the con-
conclusion that they both must be
tired, and tried my hardest to cheer
them, talking OF everything, and moth
ing, as we walked round the field un.
til it was time to return home.
Not till that moment had so much
rs shadow elouded my implicit faith
in my lover; and had seen him and
my sister together without the tiniest
thought that either could deceive me.
But it was only for moment that
felt this; before had had time to
remove my hand from my sisters
head l was myself extraordinarily
calm, though the pillows had pa ssed
over my soul. -.
What gave me that wonderful
strength in the moment of my great
weakness? Was it pride? No; pride
could not have done it. 1t was love
mighty love-a woman's love, per-
fected IN the furnace of affection.
raised my sister from the ground
and, putting my arms around her, L
pressed her to my heart. loved her,
and II owed him; they must be happy
if it cost me my life
"When is he coming again?" whis-
pered.
He asked me to walk in the park
tomorrow morning, and | told him
generally took the children out at
about H."
"Well, Ivy, will get Mrs. Testers
permission to 90 out for half an hour,
and | will meet him first. You must
join US little later on, and if it is all
right you can stay with him for ashort
time. Will that do Ivy2"
Apparently without a thought of
Whist was doing for her, and of the
pain it cost me, my sister assented;
and, while she slept the sleep of light
hearted-happiness, | passed misera-
BILE night, bidding adieu to the happy
past, and schooling myself to look
calmly on the desolate future
Next morning | went out to meet
. Arthur. There in the park l found
him waiting, not for me, but for my
sister.
As ] approached he came to meet
me, and led me tc a lonely path which
nurse maids and children seemed to
avoid. Without any preamble of
words | asked my questions, and dis
, covered that he loved my sister as
! she loved him.
= II am cruel, Nellie, but you left me