Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-09

good
"Yes, you are brave, and that is al
most the same" declared the boy, re-
pressing his excitement. ooh, how
could she help loving you! And did
yon love her?"
Immensely, Joe, replied the scout,
smiling at the interest his young friend
exhibited in his love affairs. II had it
right bad, but 1 convalesced rapidly"
he added, with a laugh" Doyou know,
my dear boy, / love you almost as
much? 1t is platonic love, to be sure,
but quite substantial"
The boys cheeks reddenedE and a
bright, pleased light sparkled up
through the languor in his eyes.
GA platonic love is based upon moral
and intellectual affinity" he said.
And would outlive sensuous love
by thousand years." cried the scout.
you have the morals and have the
the-afinity. But I hear footsteps,
Joe. 1t is the Doctor from Monterey"
ooh, I didn't want DOCTOR" the boy
said in momentary alarm.
"But I did, Joe. He is a man of skill,
experience, and discernment. I'd never
forgive myself if didn't do the best for
you that was to be DONE"
The scout met the Doctor at the door,
and allowed him to see the boy alone.
When he came out of the cabin there
was look upon his face which the
scout could not fathom.
He'll not die?" he almost gaspingly
asked.
"No," was the Doctors abrupt reply.
He has plenty of vitality in reserve.
He will be about in week. I left some
medicine, with directions, on the table,"
The Doctor was a stout, middle-aged
man, tough as a croquet ball, sharp
and quick in speech, resentful when
aroused, and pugnacious in his bear
ing. He stared at the ground for half
a minute, then fixed his piercing eyes
upon the scouts face.
Lieut.. Dorian, / have known you
somewhat intimately" he said, in a
grave, rebuking tone. "You are either
hypocrite nor knave. 1 can attribute
it to nothing but your stupidity"
doctor Antonio, ] can't say that you
are at all complimentary" rejoined the
scout with stare, his brows furrowed.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"That boy is woman!'' the Doctor
announced, in his brusque, explosive
way. "Can it be possible that you
didn't know?''
For second the scout was dazed.
WHAT" he gasped, with one. hand
at This temple. "Joe a girl! Impos-
sible!"
'sYour amazement is too real to be
feigned," the Doctor said, as he abruptly
turned and descended the slope.
eyes, my amazement is genuine, and
I haze been stupid" muttered the.
scout, as he pulled himself together
with jerk. ''The boys devotion to
me is no longer mystery. 1t is more
than mere interest-it is an intense pas
sion. 1t makes me feel uncomfortable,
and yet -gratifes me, however
inconsistent that may seem.
AS the Doctor had prophesied, the boy
soon recovered his health. his spirits
more exuberate than ever, something
akin to abandonment in his content
ment.
"N1r. Dorian, for days you have
seemed troubled" he said to the scout,
as they sat outside the cabin. "Not
troubled, maybe, but unusually thought
full.
1t was a charming night. The moon
light rested softly upon the endless
wave line OF greenery. The river,
swollen by recent rains, plunged on,
half cataract, half rapid, the murmur-
ing of it's chatting nlingling with the
soft, undefnable rustling sound among
the tree-tops. The gorge was a chasm
OF impenetrable blackness, while the
peaks of the distant mountains stood
against the sky, starlit, serene, beauti-
full.
"Yes, Joe," I have been rather
thoughtful" the scout slowly said. IT
have been thinking of you. told you,
one evening, of my affection for you.
You made no admissions in return"
Didn't II" replied the boy "Oh, I
was sure you knew. It may sound very
sentimental, but, sir, 1 love you as I
have sometimes thought woman might
love-"
A perceptible tremor ran along his
words that made the scouts pulses beat
faster.
Il left the States because of q womans
pertidy," he said. "The bitterness has
died out. I want to return to the
States because of woman's faithful
ness"
The boy gave little start, and the
color came and went in his face.