Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1888-04-05
CHAPTER TX.

meet your happiness" he added sadly,
you may never come back here to stay
again. ] will buy your interest in this
land in that case, for it must never 90 to
strangers. My happiest associations are
here. I have forgotten in your presence
that stain in my blood, and the class of
people who come here for homes are not
so fastidIdious, or else they are geHerous
enough to judge man by his soul in
stead of his skin. Which is it, Holland?"
"The latter. ] think. Louis. These mar
row, cambria needle sort of people who
have cultivated their intellects at the ex-
pense of their hearts, have not enter
prise enough to pioneer. 1t is only the
brave, energetic, honest persons who
dare come to the frontier. They are free
from biGotry, caste, or superstitions, as a
rule"
20. i did MOTEL you met some of
our neighbors over the hill last night at
the FIRE. A lot of women and children
expecting to be burned to death. Not a
man there until came" interrupted
Louis. "Quite romantic affair. You
can make newspaper article Of it. Two
beautiful young ladies. &C., &c. You
can put in the Celebrations as you write
it up"
"And that a stunning young gentleman
came to their rescue and captured the
hearts of both, added Holland.
Louis looked grave. mo, Holland, do
not Jest on that subject with me"
Excuse me. my dear boy--you are
foolishly sensitive. There is no reason
whatever why you should not capture a
lovely lady's heart. You are a handsome
man. Louis-hush, have the floor and
you shall hear me, l repeat it, you are
handsome man, a st,ikingly interesting
man in manner and appearance; YOU
have talents, irreproachsble morals, and
money. Do you suppose women are i'd
lots, not to see the value of such a COM
bination of attractions in a gentleman?
Perhaps you do not care for woman's
love-" he concluded, inquiringly.
Louis's face flushed but he did not
reply.
"Loye begets love- il is said; if you
shun them all with indifference, it is not
probable you can awaken any ardent
emotions in their breasts"
81 have thought less of love and mar
riage, I presume, than any man of my
age" Louis answered, "for have anoth-
er passion to gratify-the desire to make
myself an honorable position in society.
But when gave the subject thought, |
have felt the hopelessness of winning
such wife as would seek, and convent
ence shall have no weight in 50 sacred a
transaction as / consider marriage"
Holland would have the last word
No man has right to say ne can not
win woman until he has tried and fail
ed. Think of my egotIsm; l was refus-
ed, wickedly, cruelty, it seemed to me,
and yet after five years of silence and
absence lam going 10 ask again for her
hand"
"May the Great Father grant you sue
cess" Louis said reyerently. "You told
me her name, years ago, Holland, but l
have forgotten it."
1t was repeated softly. Louis began
rummaging among his papers IN the wri-
ting desk. He found card. Looking
closely at the half sfiaced penceling, he
handed it to his friend.
"You remember about two months ago
told you that / found card upon our
table when came here Sunday morning,
and that we must have had callers. This
young Byron is capital young fellow, a
grocer in Dundee. Can you make out
the lady's manner"
Holland looked at it careIessly. Hard
ly: it is so nearly rubbed out. What do
you make of it," returning the card to
his companion.
Louis traced the dim letters with his
pencil and handed il back. With the
spri1g of tiger Holland had him by the
throat,
"Why have you kept this from me all
these weeks2" he yelled, in frenzy of
excitement. You are traitor, curse
your"
Louis loosened his fingers with his own
supple, slender hands and held him at
arms length as If he were only child.
II had forgotten ner name and the
card. but last night met lady that re-
minded me very much of the descrip-
ton you gave me of her long ago. The
children called her Miss Banner That
did not recall the name of your lady,
however, but her appearance impressed
me. 1t seemed SO impossible that she
should be in this region that it slipped
from my mind when fell asleep, and
only came into my thoughts again at this
minute enough to remind me to ask her
name again" Louis spoke calmly, ten
derby, while Holland glared at him saw
agely.
II am sorry, my friend, to have hurt
you," and he placed him gently in his
chair, standing beside him with one
hand caressing his face as woman
might have done grieyed child: "but
she is very near now. Can you not be
thankful for that? Ten minutes walk
will bring you to her door. Get your hat;
/ will show you; come"
Holland sat helpless. 81 cannot; see
me tremble; lam an imbecile; o, Louisp'
He laid his head against his friends
breast and wept; he felt the strong arms
of his comrade about him. sit was beas-
tiy to curse such friend" be thought,
but could not say it. He was weak as a
babe"
After silence in which the storm of
tears did not subside, Louis said:
''She is beautiful woman, Holland,
and a brave one. She was leading the
party down to the lake last night to save
them from burning as calmly as though
no danger was near. She thanked me
with the grace Of green, yet there was
the sweetest cordiality in her words
She is not married, for they called her
Miss Banner" He went on with his eu-