Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-05-06

4 NhO hiOAhilg dir nstQ intoxicated me
but felt a lassitude that / could
scarcely strive against.
81 feel tired, Mariana, said to her
"let us rest here moment, thol
madest me run about a little too mucl
in the village"
Then let us sit down, my y0un.
| gentleman" she answered.
Mariana had one peculiar grace
her sweet speech. She did not, per
haps, express herself with the eleganc,
oil the city women; but the admirabl,
| tone OF her voiee--a voice low, deep
melodious, and caressing-lent O great
charm to all that she said.
We seated ourselves up onthe trunl
OF tree that had been recently GU
down. She was not much inclined tt
chat that day. In order to make hel
talk | asked her all sorts of question,
at random. / even asked her about
her husband, who had long been alb
sent on military duty, never suspect
ing IN giving this turn to the conversa
ton | was venturing upon dangerou.
ground.
"When dost thou expect thy hus
band to return" | asked.
81 do not know" she answered me
eff he will soon return. He wrote tc
me that he would not be long away
but it is now six months ormore sine,
got that letter, and l have not heard
any further news of him."
Thou must feel lonely at home
Were you living long together befor,
he went away"
Three weeks only"
"And thou must have cried for hin
a great deal when he went to join thu
service?"
She smiled.
''How can 1t concern thee to know
she replied.
"Was it any harm to ask thee?"
mo. she answered after moments
reflection, sit was not any harm
But dost thou wish me to answer the,
very frankly-to tell thee the Who'll,
TRUTH"
Certainly or else do not answer M,
at all.
"Well, then, i will say to thee that
did not cry when he went away.
did not love him. was married tc
him against my will"
"And now thou dost not love any
one2" | asked, with real interest.
"Yes, ! do" she returned with 9
smile.
And may | know whom thor
lovest?"
"Thou mayst."
''Then who?"
81 love this ring"
And she held up before my eyes the
little gold ring l had given her at TIT
morning service.
"But there is no sense in loving q
ring-an inanimate object that can
not speak to thee,-that cannot tel
thee one wish of the hearth"
Mariana blushed, but made nc
answer. And as she remained silent q
long time, said:
"Why dost thou say nothing? /:
it because thou hast suddenly become
damb?"
"No," she answered sweetly, "Ihave
not become dumb; but think it is
better that ] should be silent, for an,
very much afraid that all this talk
would lead us to nothing good"
perhaps thou art right" i an,
swered, a little disappointed. Then
rising, said: "Let us walk on-let us
go to thy sisters"
VERY well, let us go, my yoeng gen.
tleman," she responded, with a little
sadness in her voice.
We had another verst and half to
walk before reaching the farm. For
re- cd in,
occupied with our thoughts.
We came to little grove OF birch
trees. Suddenly Mariana turned to,
ward me, and looking me full in the
face, said, with blush:
81 would like-I would like so much
to tell thee, but l could never dare to
tell-still, thou must know it. Unjust
tell thee, because if Go not tell thee
| think / should die. Let us sit down
here" she continuedin a scarcely aud.
ible voice.
We sat down. She seemed violently
agitated.
"This is how it is, my young gentle
man." she said, very gently, and trem
bling all over as she spoke. ~ love
thee; it can only cause thee pain and
me much torment;-but, for sure, and
no matter what happens, l will never
give up this littler ring which thou didst
give me-"
could not find word in answer;
held my peace, totally yanquished by
the innocence of her avowal. Weboth
felt i'll at ease while; but soon agush
of Tenderness overcame our embarrass
ment, and long kiss made our lips
dumb.
Then she rose up, all joyous. We
arose and followed the road to the
farm. She walked close to me, sing
ing her merriest songs, and looking al
me from timeto time with her beauti
full caressing eyes.
She seemed quite happy at having
confided in me, and at knowing that
our hearts understood each other
At the farmhouse we passed a de
lightful day. We took a boat-ridt
on the Desna. Mariana, sitting by
me, bathed me with her warm breath
and l could not respire enough OF it
so sweet it was.
IL was almost midnight when We
thought of returning home. The sky
was pure, the night was lukewarm-
one of those splendid April night:
that are full of spring perfumes. The
full moon flooded us with light.
When we again came to the LITTLE
wood OF birch trees where HAD receiv
ed her first confession | proposed tc
halt little while.
''But why?" che asked with seriou:
face; 1--WE are not yet tired;-it is not
more than a quarter of an hour since
we left the farm"
Come, Mariana, do let us sit dowr
lust for a minute.
But what for?"
"Just to please me-"
VERY well, we shall sit down"
"Who was it that told me this morn
ing, in this very place, that thou diGst
love me?
cit was | myself who told thee so. =
And suddenly, with unexpected
auickness, sherose and retreated IRON
me.
"Why 60 away from me? What art
thou afraid OFF"
ayes. indeed, am afraid, my young
pentleman-see how tremble!"
"And hast thou such fear OF me?'
Il do not know swear to thee
do not know; but see, love thee toe
much--I want to run away iron
thee
"And whittier wilt thou run?"
"Anywhere-right before me.
"If thou lowest me, Mariana, confess
at least thou hast strange way o.
showing it"
Il swear to thee | have my OWE
way of lovingl" she cried, in voice Sc
insinuatingly sweet that one would
have given her his very soul.
"Mariana"