Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-04-06
PENELOPE.
EY CIlis. c. HAHN.

Robert" said Aunt Christine to her
brother, II want to speak to you about
that girl. I am all out of patience
with her,"
what has poor Nell been doing
now?"
Nothing. That is tho trouble. Moth
ing, when she ought to he getting mar
ried, or getting ready to DO So"
"Perhaps she doesn't wish to-,
answered Uncle Rob with light laugh
at his sisters vehemencc.
"That's it! Here sue is, rich, good
looking and Intelligent, and at the age
of Pc still unmarried and when spoke
to her to-day about Senator Treden-
mis- and Lord Richland, wanting to
know which she intended to marry,
she quietly informed mo that she hadn't
the slightest intention Of marrying any
one at present. Sometimes l wish that
uncle of hers had not left her that
money. I shouldn't have so much to
worry over if she were the poor girl
she was ten years ago.
CIV the way, I wonder where she
is?"
"ln the par]or refusing Lord Rich
land very likely
"Well. suppose 60 and stop it?'
He smiled to himself us he walked
down the piazza, at tue novel idea of
him preventing anything Helen wanted
to do. Helen, who had been his pet
from the time she had waded bare
footed in the surf and built mimic forts
in the sand!
But Aunt Christine was wrong in her
surmise this time, for when her brother
entered the parlor he found it occupied
by both the Senator and the Lord. as
well as Helen. She was more beauti-
full than ever, thought Uncle Robert
as he looked at her. And still it would
be difficult to name in what her beauty
consisted. Her face was fair, but nc
more. And yet there was something
about her which compelled one to adj
mire. Perhaps it was her uniform
ladvlike calmness and reserve. There
are some women who can 50 hedge
themselves in with pride that men will
worship them as divine Helen was
busy with a mass of blue and white
floss, deity weaving them into some
fancy work, and Mr. Alison, as he stood
at the door, heard the Senator saying
Owe usei to wonder in Washington
what it was Miss Winters was knitting.
Col. Monks once said it reminded
him of Penelope's web; at least it was
never finished"
Mr.. Alison was surprised to see a
delicate color spread over the girls
face as if the remark had touched her
heart.
After few minutes Che two gentle
men stepped out upon the piazza and
left Mr.. Alison and his niece alone.
"Now," thought Mr.. Alison, lis the
time to have it over
"Helen," he began solemnly, but
Helen slipped her hand into his arm,
and by a pleading look quite put to flight
all ideas of rebuke he might have had.
"There. Uncle Robert, know all you
intended saying Aunt has been talk
ing to you. Are you going to turn
against me too?"
@Just as l knew it would be, said
Mr.. Alison. II came in with all sorts OF
arguments ready"
"For the California mansion OF the
English castle? Be at rest concerning
the first: I do not fancy the land OF
oranges"
"And the castle? Do you mean
"Uncle," said Helen, quietly, II dc
not love either of them. Would you
have me marry without love? have
home; need not marry for that.
And to Mr.. Alison's surprise again a
tear fell upon his hand as she bent over
and kissed him.
"Can it be Col Monks, he wondered
to himself, but only said aloud:
"Forgive me, dear. and we will drop
the subject And, by the way, have
new acquaintance for you. [ used to
know him years ago when you were a
child, but for the last five years he has