Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-06
4 LOVERS EXPERIENCE.
BY VIM. +. HoKE.

John, you and [ have been fas
friends for some five years, and yet
never can understand YOU
Often l hear you muttering in you
slesp, and several times I have hear
you say: 80 Matte, Matte, must
Lose you forever?"
Now, old boy, I should Judge
Matte has had something to do wit
Chat troubled look of yours, Am
not right?
"Well, Charley, you seem to hav
the keynote to my misery, so will tel
you Of all my trouble; although yo1
are the first person whom I have eve:
met to whom would be willing to con
fde. 1 believe we both engaged
with the firm Of Miller Bros. 4 Go
Che same week. You came from Ii
west, and I came from j, east
Meeting strangers, we soon became
friends; and I hope we may always re
main the same.
Many and many time I have
wished to tell you all, but you never
before asked me. Now, being as you
have, [ will unburden my heart to you.
and perhaps you can advise me.
Eight years ago this month not being
HI good health, I thought to visit some
summer resort to recuperate, but while
my body was being made strong my
heart and mind lost their usual
.buoyancy
eyes, Matte it is who has caused me
81 much trouble and so many sleepless
nights; and I have tried, 0 so hard, to
forget her; poor girl, or woman rather,
her life must be miserable. But she
aTas not to blame.
"After I had been at S. about
Two weeks I was one day taking exer-
else III boat, all alone; and as it was
IA unusually pleasant August afternoon
Il went farther out than usual along
s.aout 4 o'clock noticed boat to nv
light containing four persons, pulling
seward me, and rs they came near ]
recognized a Mr.. Renolds, an old
chum OF my school-days. AS they came
alongside he greeted me, and made
me acquainted with his three lady
eomparions to one of whom I took a
peculiar liking; and on my lonely trip
lonae that evening | vowed that should
Zoe my last trip alone.
"In a few days, meeting Renolds, +
earelessly inquired who the young lady
was, as had forgotten her name, and
he told me it was Miss Matte ".
a very fine young lady Of Portland, and
he also said she had returned to her
home.
lit is needless to say was sorelv dis
appointed; in fact l loved her from the
instant our eyes met.
Is she likely to return this season .
I enquired.
"'No, 1 think not, replied he, as her
parents are not very we'll off, and can
not afford to let her remain here long,
II went to my room that evening with
a heavy heart and while l remained
there my life was more miserable than
1t was ever before, but leaving there
did not ease me- [ worried constantly.
"IheheXt season [ went there again.
but she did NOT come
And the next season | went arain
Iust before came here, in the val,
nope Of meeting her. [ could not at
eord it, but went.
Joy to my aching heart the first per
son lmet WIS Matte V, and, strange
10 say, we recognized each the moment
we met; and stranger still, we met as
II we had been old friends,
%, can any one imagine the burden
Afted from my heart as her hand
touched mine. l invited her to walk
TO the hotel with me, an Invitation she
bsushnsly accepted. Before we parted
it was agreeably settled we should 90
boating after dinner. which we did. and
- 'A lawn oAA pal L VI blliI evening as
fhe happiest OF my life, and part as the
most miserable.
lpoured my soul out to her, and asked
her to be mine. But when | had
finished Charley, imagine my feelings,
il you can.
She looked at me with tears cusl-
ing from her eyes and sail: 'Forgive
me- dear sir, but am already married.
For an instant heaven forbid, | was
tempted to take both our lives, but my
better nature cvercame the evil spirit,
and our return to shore was in silence
except her bitter scl,s.
CAS- took her hand to assist Ter land
ang all my hatred turned to pity, and I
sl"mbly begged for forgiveness.
Friend. replied she, Tt is l who
should ask forgiveness. I should have
told you all before, but [ could not,