Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-03-28
ALL BUT TRIUMPHANT.

ocsWCcH yOu ana me, dear reader,
before their father had been home from
his travels many months, he was in
danger OF following their example.
Mrs. Vane saw that. She was h
wido.~; handsome, naughty, poor. and
win pair of sinc black eyes that
.Serc unusually wide awake for all that
concerned the wealthy widower. For
he was her cousin, and she had kept
house for him since his wife's DEATH
two years ago-with the decided intcn-
ton Of ultimately supplying her place
and consoling him for his bereave-
mcnt.
She watched him now with a cloud
cd face as he sat ut tho open win
dow, paying less attention 10 the morn
ing paper in his hand than to the mer-
ry group In the garden. whose silyery
voices and happy laughter reached him
where he sat.
'.How happy they seem, and how
fond the children are of herl' he said
at last, pursuing his own thoughts.
.But why does she always wear blackP
Do you know for whom she is in tnotirn-
ing. Helcne' -
'.Her mother, / believe" Mrs. Vane
answered with supreme Indifference.
She is an orphan. GoSernesses gen.
orally are orphans it seems to me.
And she tried to quiet her own fears
by rejecting:
cit is only natural that he should
take pleasure in watching his own
children. Surely it cannot be this
girlp''
But it was .ihis girl,' in spite of
her. She thought she would put it to
the tcst, and so went quietly out Of the
room and sent the housemaid to sum-
ZION Lily Deane 10 her presence.
You are SO skillful ut this kind of
work, Mrs. Deane," she said as she
held up torn and costly lace before
the blushing. Htittcring girl" should
be glad if you would mend it as soon
rs possible.
And she looked with strong disfavor
ut the tluttering form and rosy blush.
She had seen George MILFORD accost
the girl as she came iu from the gar
len, and she knew what the bushes
| meant.
She made no remark, however; but
| when she went down again to the room
where she had left her cousin, she
found him standing aimlessly in the
middle of the room, as if uncertain
what to be about.
1.-The garden has lost its attraction. "
she thought, and her black eyes fash
ed. This girl must be got rid of. and
| at once"
More easily said than done, however.
| The children loved their gentle friend
and gentle play fellow, and their faith
| er made no secret of the pleasure her
presence and sweet companionship af-
| forded him.
While as for Lily-though she was
"only governess"-it was plain that
an unWonted sense of happiness made
her blue eyes more bright and hel
smiles more frequent. She never
thought of questioning why.
/ The little simple soul basked in its
atmosphere of love and JOY, as birds
and flowers do, and thought about the
cause of it as little.
The stately house had grown to be 0
happy home to her.
| Was it since Mr.. MILFORD returned
Well, yes-everything was surely pleas
anter under the masters sway. He
was so good, SO kind, SO gentle to her.
| self; so considerate towards everyone.
All, but his wife must have been y hap
| py womani How sad that she should
have died, and left her lovely babies,
her dear husband! And he, too-sc
| young, scarcely thirty-surely his life
was lonely. She wondered now would
| he ever
And at that thought she put up two
little white hands to her face, that sud
denly burned vivid crimson.
What is it to me?" she murmured
with an unconscious sigh. '.But if he
should, suppose it would be Mrs
Vane. And ! should have to go.
could not stay then. although the chill
dren love me, and IL love them So. ,
Tears dimmed her blue eyes suddenly
"After all, what is it to me?" she
sighed. .tOnly he is SO good-so very
good to mellow can choose but wisf
him happiness?"
And she stopped and kissed rec
rosebud that she held, and which HI
had given her.
That instant voice fell on her ear
and firm hand grasped her arm.
do you kiss the flower for its owl
sake" asked tho voice, ''or for thu
giver'sp"
Poor Lily started guiltily.
"The-the giver, madamep" she fall
tered. 81 do not understand"
..Mr. MILFORD gave you thabEose.
saw him. He is my betrothed hus
band. Miss Deane, [ take you for I
foolish, thoughtless girl, rather than
wicked or heartless one. have re
solved to appeal to your sense of RICH
| your honor. Mr.. MILFORD is engaged
to me. l love him and will never Civ
him up. His fancy for you can onl,
result in your dishonor, for though 20,
may steal his heart from me and max
me wretched, you cannot win his hand
That is engaged to me, and l will
claim it.
Lily, with white face and great di
lated eyes, now suddenly. with ONT
sharp cry of pain, fell down faintin.
at her enemy's feet
The blow had been SO sudden. Witt
cruel pitiless hand Mrs. Vane hat
placed her face to face with the secre
of her own unconscious heart.
4 She knew, in that moments anguish
that she loved George Milford, and tina
he was the promised husband of an
other.
Farewell, love! Farewell, hope
. Farewell, peaceful home. in which sh
found brief deceitful happiness!
seemed, at first, as if she had said fare
we'll to life itself. as she lay, white, an
motionless, at Mrs. Vane's feet.