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

III We LIE 4acihA"
John, you and 1 have been fas
friends for some five years, and yet
never can understand you.
Often l hear you mutterins in you
sleep. and several times [ have hear
you say: 30 Matte, Matte, must
lose you forever?"
Now, old boy, I should Judge
Matte has had something to do will
ehat troubled look of yours. Am
not right?
"Well, Charley, you seem to have
the keynote to my misery, so will tel
you Of all my trouble; although YOU
are the first person whom I have ever
met to whom would be willing to con
fde. believe we both engaged
with the firm of Miller Bros. 4 Co.
Che same week. You came from R--,
vest, and [ came from j, east
Meeting strangers, we soon became
friends; and 1 hope we may always re.
main the same.
MANY and many a time 1 have
wished to tell you all, but you never
before asked me. Now, being as you
have, I will unburden my heart to you.
and perhaps you can advise me.
eight years ago this month, not being
III 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,
der Life must be miserable. But she
mas not to blame.
"After I had been at s. about
Gwo weeks was one day taking exer-
else in boat, all alone; and as it was
au unusually pleasant August afternoon
Il went farther out than usual; along
,@;out o'clock noticed boat to my
Eight containing four persons, pulling
coward ME, and rs they came near j
recognized Mr.. Renolds, an old
chum Of my school-days. AS they came
alongside he greeted me, and made
sne acquainted with his three lady
oomparions. to one Of whom I took
peculiar liking; and on my lonely trip
home that evening vowed that should
Zoe my last trip alone
"In few days, meeting Renolds, 7
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.
"It is needless to say / was sorelv dis
:.ppoipted in fact loved her from the
instant our eyes met.
Is she likely to return this season %
I enquired.
"'No, 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
Il heavy heart, and while | remained
there my life was more miserable than
1t was ever before. but leaving there
did not ease me. [ worried constantlv
"The next season I went there again.
but she did not come.
"And the next season l went again
just before I came here, in the vail,
hope Of meeting her. I could not at.
ford it, but I went.
Joy to my aching heart! the first per-
son Imet WIS Matte v. and strange
to say, we recognized each the moment
we met; and stranger still, we met as
II we had been old friends.
o, can any one imagine the burden
hfted from my heart as her hand
touched mine. I invited hog to walk
TO the hotel with Inc. an Invitation she
b-ushingly accepted. Before we parted
it was agreeably settled we should 90
boating after dinner. which we did, and
4 look back on part Of that evening as
sfle 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 oush-
ing from her eyes and said Forgive
me, dear sir, but l am already married. ;
For an instant, heaven forbid, L 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 her land
sng all my hatred turned to pity, and I
h"mbly begged for forgiveness.
Friend. replied she, 1t is l. who
should ask forgiveness. + should have
told you all before, but [ could not,