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

could bring a smile again. Down East
street his frm light step never waver-
ed. Ills whole heart was in his errand
now, and there was no hesitation.
Better. far, il there had been. Poor
little George had such sad, dreary
visions OF this manly confidence in the
time that followed.
Yes, the Miss Golburns were at home.
Captain Give entered the sunny.
pleasant sitting-room, and, as he did
so, George rose from her low seat in
the window. where she was sitting in a
weary, listless attitude, without work
or book. Captain Give had time to
note the shadow of some great fear
that fell on tho brave, bright face as
she met him; yet it was SO sudden and
SO short that, had he been thinking
less OF her, had he been less in earnest,
he might have thought it was his fancy.
Their hands had scarcely met before
Georgie's face wore its old, natural,
pleasant look.
'My sister is resting" she began in
her low, soft voice. 1--WE had a long
drive and visit this afternoon, which
has tired her more than usual. She
VhA w Ah PAOSOhIlys L uuIc say.
Captain Give did not say how
thankful he was that he had come at
this very time, nor how gladly his
heart beat as he sat down opposite her,
with a quiet self-sossession that told
nothing.
Il am leaving Nawr tomorrow.
Miss Golburn," be began, land 7
thought you would let me pay you a
last visit, though l have not chosen a
ceremOnious time, have Up"
Ceremony never finds its way to
the seaside. | think" said Georgia,
with a smile; ''that makes the seaside
so pleasant"
"You will stay some time longer, l
~presumep"
Eyes, 1 think So" answered
George. simply.
you feel that your sister has bene-
fitted by the change, l hope. Miss Col
burnp"
Very slightly, 1 fear" replied
Georgia, in a low voice; yet, perhaps,
during the next month or six weeks it
will be more decided" But she broke
off YEARLY, as il the hope we're nearly
gone, much as che tried to think other
wise.
"lndeed, | trust so. They say Octo-
Der is the best month in the year for
Nawr."
They then discussed Nawr in a
vague, desultory way, because they
must speak OF something; yet they
knew that the thoughts of neither we're
with their words. until Walter brought
the conversation round again to his
own departure.
You are not going to India yetp"
asked Georgia. ~ understood you TO
say November"
Eyes, in November--if / 60 at all"
sis there any doubt of it, thenP" ask
ed Georgia, ~innocently. ~ thought the
higher powers ruled these matters
for you, and that your fate was fixed"
cit will be-ayed tonight" said
Walter, very low. II may exchange
with a friend, who wishes to 90 for
me, and settle here In dear old Eng
land; or | may 60 TO India, and-in
that case do not care for how long
forever, l hope"
But what is to decide you, Captain
Oliver"
She was looking straight into his
earnest face, frankly and fearlessly.
with no shrinking in her great, dark
eyes, and yet a, roma would have
seen a something in the face and lgure
Of intense anguish.
"a very few words will decide it.,
Miss Golburn," said Walter, leaning
forward in his seat, and looking plead
ingly down into her face-''a very few
words of your own. These weeks that
l have known you have taught me
many things; but chief of all, they have
taught me to love yon with all the
strength and passion of my heart.
Why do you look at me so dospairing.
Typ" he broke of, with a f~oreshadow-
ing in his voice Of the pain that was
coming.
A flush rose to Georges face as sac
feared what she might uaconscieusly
have let him read there. In q mo.
ment, though, it died. and left her
white even to the lips.
81 do not like to hear you tell ME
this" she said, hastily. 1T pains me
inexpressibly."
"You do not like mo to speak 10 you
of this?" repeated Walter, slowly. Il
have eve loved any one before. /
shall never love any one again. This
is the first love Of my manhood, and
the last love of my life; but, if it pains
you. l will speak of it again"
Her yearning eyes-still upon his
face-grew misty rs he bent a little
lower, in his simple, manly earnest
ness.
II cannot eve try to teach you to
care for me? l may not even hopep'
The anxiety in his tone. as he made
those words a question, was pitiful to
hear.
NO." George said, with quivering
lips; "what is the use Of hopingP"
"But if / see any use in hopingP" he
asked, his eyes Frightening suddenly.
There could be no use." replied
George. changing her tone, 'it can
never be; never-never!"
Something in her altered manner
brought a new thought to Walters
heart. II see why it pains you so,
Miss Golburn," he said, sadly, "some
one else has won my prize from me-
There was no rudeness in the way
he put it. 1t was not a question. mere
ly a sorrowful acknowledgment tc
himself Of the certainty of his loss, but